Article by Jeff Valliere
Garmin Fenix 8 - 47mm, AMOLED
Slate Gray with Black Silicone Band
($999.99 as tested, versions range from $999.99 - $1,199.99 depending on size/base/sapphire -ti) Official Specs and Features HERE
Introduction: Garmin has revamped the Fenix line, doing away with the Epix series and adding AMOLED to the mix, while still offering transflective display models with solar. Basically the Epix and Fenix previously shared the same software, with the only difference the display and battery life. I think consolidating the Fenix and Epix makes sense and helps to lessen confusion.
The Fenix 8 has some nice upgrades over the Fenix 7 and Epix Pro, such as a speaker and microphone for phone calls and voice commands, a revamped user interface, a depth gauge and new diving features, increased screen size on the smaller models and improved solar on the transflective models. With that comes an increase in price as well.
I have been testing the Fenix 8 - 47mm side by side with the Epix Gen 2 Pro 51mm over the past 3 months and it is certainly has lived up to expectations!
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Accuracy (GPS/altimeter/OHR),
- Vivid AMOLED screen and larger screen for 43 and 47mm AMOLED versions
- Battery life, fast charging,
- Speaker/voice features,
- Improved interface,
- Maps/navigational features,
- Robust training/health tracking features, configurability and deep range of features.
Cons:
What’s New: As mentioned above, Garmin has done away with the Epix line, which was essentially a Fenix with an AMOLED screen. Now, with the Epix out of the picture, the Fenix 8 is offered in AMOLED, in 3 sizes. 43mm (up from 42mm) with a 1.3” screen (up from 1.2”), 47mm with a 1.4” screen (up from 1.3”) and the 51mm with a 1.4” screen. The transflective models are now offered only in 47mm (though retains 1.3” screen) and 51mm with 1.4” screen, having done away with the 42mm version. Both of the transflective models are only offered in solar and the solar ring has been made to look less obvious and also is claimed to offer better charging performance, but I have not been able to test/confirm.
Garmin has added a speaker/microphone that can take or initiate phone calls, accept voice commands to initiate watch functionality on the watch, as well as initiate Siri or the like if you have a phone with you..
If you happen to be a scuba diver, then you are in luck! Garmin has added a depth gauge, as well as a new leak proof button design that they call invective buttons (read Garmin’s description of this below)
Unboxing:
Included in the box: watch of course, charging cable and manual.
Built-In Speaker and Microphone:
The Fenix 8 now has a built in speaker and microphone where you can use the voice command feature ( long pressing the upper right button or navigating to the options under the activity menu) to activate functions on the watch like starting an activity, a timer, stopwatch, show the weather, disable do not disturb, play music, save my location, etc…
This feature can be handy to quickly start a process that might take some hunting around and several steps to activate. Then there are other processes, like starting an activity for example, that I can do quicker by using the buttons.
While Garmin says that voice command does not require exact phrases, I have found that there is not a lot of leeway if you cannot guess the command exactly as it should be said. Garmin provides a list of commonly used voice commands in the owner's manual, but using effectively definitely takes some memorization, trial and error. You can also use the phone assistant to ask Siri or other similar voice assistants questions via the watch microphone.
“Set 30 minute timer”
You can play music if you would like over the watch speaker if you have a streaming service, such as Spotify synced with your watch, or play music/podcasts loaded directly to the watch. I have not tried this, but if the sound quality for a phone call is any indication, then it does not seem to make much sense to do this (unless really in a pinch). I would just sync up headphones with either the watch (or more easily, just my phone as I always do).
I have found taking a call on the watch to be pretty handy, for those times where I get a call and my phone is down in the office, stuffed in my pack or somewhere nearby, but am not sure I can get to it in time, I just press a button on the watch to accept and can talk on speaker. The volume and sound quality is sufficient when there is not much ambient noise, but it can be hard to hear if the environment is loud (such as a crowded room or a windy day outside).
You can accept a call straight from the watch, mute the mic, toggle the speaker on/off, transition between the watch and phone or dial from the watch by either using the touch key pad, or selecting from your contact list (your Garmin contact list). Of course this functionality is dependent upon a connection to your phone and there is unfortunately no phone free, LTE watch version option.
Above you can see the speaker/mic which is the red sensor guard.
There is also a water ejection feature which consists of a high resonance buzz to shake out any remaining water.
GPS Accuracy: There is nothing new to report here, as the Fenix 8 has the exact same sensor as the Epix Gen 2 Pro. As with the Epix Pro, accuracy is amazingly good, utilizing GPS, Glonass, Galileo with Multi-Frequency Position and SatIQ Technology.
Having worn the Fenix 8 and the Epix Pro side by side on just about every run for the past few months, I can report with confidence that accuracy is as good as it gets for a GPS watch.
I primarily use the ‘all systems + multi band’ mode for maximum accuracy, especially when I know I will be in dense trees, canyons and among large rock formations, but also often use SatIQ, an auto select mode, which automatically selects the GPS power needed depending on terrain.
I have also tested ‘all systems’ and ‘GPS only’, which are also very accurate and easily sufficient for cycling or when your activities are in the wide open without any challenging reception conditions or to extend battery life (though I typically rely on the Garmin Edge 1050 Review for cycling). While GPS only is not as reliably accurate as ‘all bands + multi bands’, that difference only presents itself (and minimally at that) when topography is a challenge, but is still quite good. If I were doing a very long event, or just wanted to milk as much battery life as possible on a trip, I do not hesitate to select GPS only.
When wearing both watches side by side, they alert each mile either in unison (same with the Edge 1050), or within just a few seconds of one another. By the end of an activity, distances show as the same or within just a few hundredths of a mile difference.
When comparing my track over satellite imagery, the Fenix 8 and the Epix Pro line up very close, if not on top of my actual steps taken for the most part, with only the occasional and very minor drift to the side as I have seen on all GPS watches.
The Fenix 8 is Blue in all shots below compared to the Epix Pro as purple. They are both the same sensor and track quite closely.
All maps and graphs via: DCRainmaker Analyzer
The above is a deep canyon and is a good challenge test for GPS watches. Both watches perform the best of any I have ever tested here, as well as in other deep canyons, running amongst the 1,000+ foot Flatiron formations in Boulder, hiking in Redwood forests, scaling high mountains, valleys, etc…. The Fenix 8 is always spot on.
Optical HR Accuracy:
Again, there are no changes here. The Fenix 8 features the same Garmin Elevate V5 optical heart rate sensor as used in the Epix Pro. I have tested it extensively side by side with the Epix Pro 51mm and find accuracy to be very comparable between the two, despite the difference in size (though the Epix Pro 51mm is titanium, whereas the Fenix 8 47mm is steel and are essentially the same weight).
The graph above is pretty typical comparing the watches side by side, as they are mostly in agreement throughout, but with the occasional hiccup. In the end though, on just about every run, the average heart rate for the duration is the same.
I have also compared against a chest strap and the results are the same, comparably accurate within a few bpm (usually within a beat or two), though occasionally they may differ by 3-5 beats. Overall at the end of a run, the overall average difference between the Fenix 8 and the chest strap synced with the Epix Pro is also within a beat or two. The accuracy of Garmin optical HR sensing has quite dramatically improved in recent years and even for these heavier watches.
Amoled Screen:
As I reported on the Epix Pro (Gen 2) (RTR Review), the Fenix 8 screen is bright, crisp and clear, much easier to read than transflective displays almost all of the time in all but the brightest direct sun, which for me is almost all of the time.
Even in direct sun, I have no trouble whatsoever reading the data screens and the only time I need to work a little harder is when I am reading maps in direct sun, where I may need to pause and rotate the screen so I can find a shadow (usually the shadow of my body), but I often slow or stop anyways if I need to interpret the map more closely.
Screen resolution is as follows: 43mm = 416x416 / 47mm 454x454 / 51mm 454x454.
The AMOLED screen is a huge advantage in all light conditions outside of the above bright sun scenarios, be it wearing around the house, running in the shade or for dawn/dusk runs.
Comparing the 51mm Epix Pro (left above) with the Fenix 8 (right above), you can see that while the screen size is the same at 1.4”, the font on the Fenix is larger and easier to read.
Another nice upgrade here is the ability to adjust text size to your liking.
The data fields are especially crisp and easy to read, with large numbers and crisp resolution
Size/Fit/Comfort:
The highlight for the Fenix 8 regarding size/fit/comfort is the expanded screen size on the small and midsize models, where Garmin has trimmed the bezel and was able to consolidate the screen, fitting more screen into the same size watch (well, that is the case with the medium 47mm, with the smaller version went from 42-43mm to accommodate the screen).
I have long hoped that Garmin would eventually do this, trim the chunky bezel and be more efficient with the screen space. For me, the 47mm is the ideal blend of screen size and battery life, as it is a reasonably sized watch overall and now with the 1.4” screen it has the same screen size as the largest 51 mm version. While a strong case can be made for the added battery life of the 51mm, for my use, I find this to be a fair trade to have the smaller size of the 47mm that does not feel as bulky on my small wrist.
The 47mm steel version weighs in at 81 grams with silicone band, and 59 grams without the band. I am a convert to the nylon band though, which is MUCH more comfortable and drops the overall weight of the watch to a very reasonable 65 grams. Whichever band you choose, you can drop an additional 7 grams by going with the titanium body which in my watch size drops the weight to 58 grams.
Left to right, the 51mm Epix Gen 2 Pro, 47mm Fenix 8 and the 47mm Epix Gen 2 (screen size 1.4”/1.4”/1.3” respectively). I find the Fenix 8 to be comfortable to wear, but it is significantly more comfortable if you use a nylon band instead of the silicone.
I purchased nylon bands for $1.98 each from Ali Express in 26mm (above for my Epix Pro) and 22mm for the Epix and now Fenix 8) which are secure and of surprisingly good quality. Of course, if you prefer an official Garmin nylon band, they sell them as well for $39.99, but I couldn’t compare.
Altimeter: The barometric altimeter has not changed either from the Epix Pro, at least the best I can tell and does a great job giving elevation readings, though requires the occasional calibration to stay dialed in.
Battery Life/Charging: Battery life is excellent and I have found it to exceed the numbers in the official chart below. I keep my screen set to gesture mode for general use, estimating 16 days, then I use the GPS for about 90 minutes each week day and more on the weekends and really only need (opt) to charge about once per week. I never use music and have all satellite systems plus multi band for my GPS accuracy setting.
Variations in battery efficiency depend on multiple configurable settings: GPS settings, screen brightness, whether you select always on, or tilt to wake, use music, bluetooth, etc…
I think the battery numbers listed above for the AMOLED Fenix 8 are plenty for most users, but if you are into ultra long distance events and adventures, then you may consider the transflective/mips solar versions of the Fenix 8 as listed below (or even the Enduro 3 for even greater battery life).
Maps/Enhanced Maps: The Fenix 8 comes with TopoActive Maps, Golf Maps, and Ski maps. You can also purchase Outdoor Maps+ annual plan for enhanced maps with loads of additional map content that is frequently updated ($99.99), which adds extra detail and perspective to the already exceptionally detailed comprehensive mapping package already included on the Fenix 8 series, plus satellite imagery.
Outdoor Maps+ does take some time and patience to set up, as the layers are quite data intensive and take some forethought and planning to download the areas you need. Outdoor Maps+ can also be integrated with other Garmin GPS devices beyond the Fenix/Epix watches.
Navigational features are essentially the same, however the Fenix 8 now has a quick access menu, quick access touch unlock feature (to use touch for map pan/zoom during workout) and some other small operational interface comforts.
Above is the standard TopoActive Map showing the track of a local trail, where the Next Fork is showing the distance to the next junction. Next Fork appears automatically and is especially handy to anticipate upcoming trail junctions.
Conclusions:
The new Fenix 8 series is without a doubt the best GPS sports watch that money can buy, although it comes at a premium price.
The changes/increases to the screen size on the small and medium models is a great upgrade as is of course the vibrant AMOLED display.
The built in speaker/mic and associated features to control functions on the watch, as well as access options on the phone is handy, but I find myself not using them all that often other than to start a timer/stopwatch, or set an alarm. Taking or making a call on the watch is a really cool feature that is really nice on occasion to take a call when your phone is not immediately available (in a different room or buried in a pack).
The new user interface is easier to use and more intuitive than the previous one. I hope its features may trickle down to previous Fenix/Epix models with software updates.
The dive features seem to be great if you happen to be a diver, though I suspect, like myself, the percentage of the target market who will take advantage will likely be minimal and I am not a fan of the new leak proof buttons that are not as responsive.
Of course the Fenix 8 still is the benchmark watch for GPS accuracy, OHR accuracy, altimeter and has very robust training and health tracking, endless activity features, as well as sensor integrations.
If the Fenix 8 is within your budget, this is THE watch to buy and I cannot recommend it enough. If a Fenix 8 would be a stretch to your budget, I think saving a few hundred dollars (or more) and finding a deal on a closeout Epix Pro is a great option as well, as many of the new Fenix 8 features are not necessarily so significant that you cannot live without them.
Official Specs and Features HERE
Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years. He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not. On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.
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