Garmin Fenix 8: The Next-Level Multisport Watch

As the reigning champion of multisport watches, the Garmin Fenix excels with its revamped design and groundbreaking mapping capabilities. The latest in line, the Garmin Fenix 8, continues its legacy as an exceptional outdoor watch tailored for seasoned athletes and adventure junkies. While the 51mm model may feel considerably bulkier for many, the smaller 47mm alternative offers a similar powerhouse performance, coupled with superior battery life.

Regardless of its size, the Fenix 8 comes equipped with an amazing AMOLED display and enduring battery, truly manifesting as a promising choice for adventure-seekers. When it comes to intricately detailed mapping, comprehensive training analytics, and unparalleled battery life, the Fenix 8 arguably outperforms contenders like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Galaxy Ultra. While its smartwatch features might leave room for improvement, with basic apps and not-so-smooth payment systems, it remains an unbeatable option for dedicated athletes.

Its extraordinary features, such as mapping, further enhance its value for money, despite the significant price point. The Fenix 8 boasts best-in-class mapping and navigation support, an impressive AMOLED-powered battery life and introduces an advanced approach to analyzing strength training.

However, it comes at a discernably higher price than the preceding Fenix 7 Pro, and its core functionality mirrors that of the previous models. Also worth noting is that heart rate tracking during intense workouts may not be entirely foolproof.

The Garmin Fenix series has cemented its position over the years as an established choice for sports watches, offering the best in terms of tracking, features, mapping, navigation, and durability, all bundled up in an adventure-ready package.

However, it’s important to note that the competition is heightening. As new players enter the field with options like the Apple Watch Ultra 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, Suunto Vertical, and Polar Grit X Pro 2, the market is proving that Garmin no longer holds the monopoly on top-notch outdoor watches.

So the question arises, how does Garmin plan to maintain its leading position? One strategy appears to be enhancing its smartwatch capabilities. The Fenix 8 is equipped with an AMOLED display promising excellent battery life, along with upgraded mapping and training analytics.

But does the Fenix 8 live up to its hefty price tag and deliver the promises? When it comes to size, the Fenix 8 51mm is the biggest case size option available, comparable to the 51mm Epix Pro. Its substantial size may not be suitable for sleep tracking, but it does score high on resilience and ruggedness.

It’s well-equipped with sturdy features like sapphire crystal, robust buttons, and a comfortable silicone strap that can withstand vigorous workouts – everything one would expect from a superior outdoor watch. As for tracking capabilities, the Fenix 8 proves to be reliable in providing accurate GPS and heart rate readings.

On the topic of heart rate accuracy, however, it’s observed that Garmin’s larger watches may struggle slightly more than its compact counterparts when tracking high-intensity exercises like sprints or HIIT workouts. Although this might not portray a universal truth, my own personal experience reflects that the 51mm model is slightly oversized for my wrist.

Similar to the Fenix 7 Pro, the Fenix 8 adopts the same Gen 5 version of Garmin’s renowned Elevate sensor, implying a comparable performance level. However, it’s worth mentioning that some rival models may offer superior optical HR performance.

For those focusing on heart rate-based training, my suggestion would be to pair the device with an additional heart rate sensor. Garmin facilitates this pairing process easily and I did not experience any difficulties while pairing the Fenix 8 with Garmin’s proprietary heart rate monitors or those from Polar and Wahoo.

But for general guidance, the Elevate 5 sensor integrated within the Fenix 8 seems satisfactory. To summarize, the Garmin Fenix 8 serves as a viable choice for outdoor enthusiasts desiring detailed mapping capabilities, superior training analytics, durable design, and a battery life that can easily outlast its competitors.