Garmin - fēnix 8 – 51 mm, AMOLED

I just wish they’d come out with a whoop style band. I own an AWU1 but rarely use it because of my Garmin (F8-51mm). I just love the ecosystem.

I would (and do, 8 Amoled 51 owner) have zero fomo for the LTE. I always had cellular on my AWUs, and see the value, but having to use Garmin Messenger is silly. So anyone I want to message has to create a Garmin account and message me via messenger for the infrequent times I’m actually using LTE standalone? I’d rather just carry an inreach for remote and my phone for normal usage. I just don’t see the value here.

I’ve had my Garmin Fenix 8 51mm since it was released. It’s a great watch but overkill for a starter looking to get into using a turkey high end tool. I started with the amazfit t-Rex 2 then the t-Rex 3. At the t-Rex 3 price point it does almost everything the Fenix 8 does at 1000 dollars less. But if you’re looking to go with a watch long term, the Fenix is the end game and hard to beat once all the bugs are worked out of the software. ( theyvare still working though some pretty major software glitches like the screen and watch resetting when starting a hike…

Very valid point, can’t recall if my t-Rex 3 had anything besides snorkeling which I did use a few times. Not much value there for true diving! Lol… Just hope they don’t disable it again in a future beta release when he needs it. I do love my Fenix 8 regardless l. When it’s working it’s awesome but when it’s resetting itself multiple times on hikes I’m not familiar with, like here in Scotland and England, it infuriates me! Lol

I’ve had the 8 amoled 51 since release , and the MIP guys always say I don’t want a glowing LED TV on my wrist blinding me…which I don’t get? The watch isn’t full bright if you don’t want it to be, it’s adjustable just like the MIP I used to have. Also at night it’s not bright because it goes into red green or orange shift for night so it’s not like you’ve got a tv blasting your retinas at 2am on your wrist. And if you turn on aod it’s truly not an issue unless you want it to be blaring brightness, which I don’t, so it’s not set up for my use that way. And the battery argument has been long put to rest at this point since the 51mm has 28 days of life during normal use… To each his own, but I think the writings on the wall for the fenix line. I will pick up an enduro 3 at a discount when the 4 comes out, because I had the E2 and love that watch but can’t justify full price when I already have the F8 51mm amoled. I don’t know the purpose behind an even Brighter micro led Pro when the F8 51mm amoled is more than bright enough…..especially with decreased battery life…. I am curious about the new forerunner, does it have the same offline mapping capabilities of the F8? I’m not a runner anymore thanks to the army but curious about the hiking aspects supported? https://preview.redd.it/q7z1f4w2jwsf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=449c61515342d2821b93a33dd07588391e7f76b7

I use Fenix 8 and Ultra. Would never give up Garmin platform for Apple. And the F8 has working EKG and will identify AFIB as well as Apple. F8 also has working SP02 (it never left).

I have AWU1 that I like for wearing to gym due to connection with Gymkit enabled cardio stuff and for using Gymaholic to track lifting workouts. I also double wrist it with AWU on right wrist for music and LTE on outdoor runs. I’m really a Garmin guy and wear F8 (at the moment) or my Epix 2 or Epix Pro 51 for 24/7, sleep, all my favorite stuff on the watch face, etc. I use RunGap to get AW workouts over to Garmin Connect. I do like the AWU for its smart features like unlocking Mac, Siri, etc, but my older eyes prefer the larger F8 51 screen and general Garmin platform including web interface. I also can’t stand battery anxiety, which I never have with my Garmins.

Probably the Fenix 8, and in 51mm size. I have AMOLED, which EXCEEDS battery life specs, but there is also the MIP solar, which is having a problem with the new solar tech and getting LESS than spec for many people reporting here.

I have AWU1, Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED. I like the AWU for smart functions, additional cellular connectivity on runs, Apple Music, unlocking my Mac, Siri actions,etc. But I only wear it mostly as a 2nd watch on runs. I’ll focus on why it’s Garmin for me, 24/7: \*Real onboard maps \*Integration (I don’t want Bevel plus Athlytic plus WorkOutDoors plus BodyState plus Pedometer++ just to get functionality or info on watch faces I want). I don’t want to have to pay for an app to get stress metric or download an app to see steps taken on watch face. \*Web interface (Connect) \*Morning Report \*Superior GPS performance with SAT IQ. \*ANT+ device connectivity \*Customizable activity data screens \*More complete and customizable watch faces \*LED flashlight \*Buttons, and “hot keys” with many functions programmable to a button hold or combination button hold. \*More reliable training metrics due to more frequent HR and therefore HRV sampling. Stress, body battery, etc. \*Working Pulse Oximetry \*Suggested workouts \*Garmin coaching plans \*On-Watch Activity review.

I have AWU3 as well as Garmin Epix, Epix Pro 51, and Fenix 8 51 AMOLED. I like AWU for connectivity to equipment in the gym as well as as running Gymaholic app for weight workouts from the watch. I also often run outside with it as second watch for music and emergency connectivity. I also like it unlocking my Mac, running smart home automations, reminders, Siri, etc. Currently wearing both AWU and Garmin Epix for a month or so to compare health metrics. But it's Garmin 24/7 for me for the OP's mentioned reasons--integrated metrics without subscriptions, Garmin Connect web platform if I choose, watch face customizability, battery life, sensor variety and connectivity with ANT+, workout suggestions, customizable hot keys, workout data screen customizations, working pulse ox on the watch, etc. Garmin battery and low processing power enables all day HR sampling and very frequent HRV sampling, as well as pulse ox during sleep, which IMO makes related metrics that much more usable. I can also see HR updating every couple seconds on the watch face as well as steps updating in real time without tapping and waiting on pulse taken or app to update. I also like being able to change the order of my workout types, widgets, etc. on the watch. I don't mind working out with either watch only (like AW in the gym or Garmin on outdoor runs). I use RunGap to sync everything to Garmin Connect.

I'm a long-time Garmin watch user. I'm currently wearing the 51 mm Fenix 8 AMOLED. I also own the Garmin HRM - Pro + chest strap. I use the F8 and the chest strap to track all workouts, including KBs. Though during KB training, I simply take the watch off and place it nearby. The watch doesn't have to be worn when using the chest strap, though it still must be within BT range, of course.

FWIW, sorry for resurrecting this but I just got myself a new Fenix 8 AMOLED 51 mm, updated to current newest version. Upon connecting my headphones and playing song in spotify, with AOD, around 75% charge, it went from 10 days to 21 hours. No GPS, no activity, just spotify playing a song. In about 3 minutes, I stopped it, and now I have 9 days left. It ate a whole days of battery in 3 minutes. So, while you're downvoted, I think either we both don't know what we're doing (I've been using a Fenix 6X Pro since its release, no stranger to Garmin) or this watch is not that of a good choice anymore. Edit: added size of watch, 51 mm

Try a fenix 8 on, it’s niceee

Interesting, I’m the opposite, I had the 970 and thought it felt cheap and platicy, went to fenix 8 51 mm amoled and am loving it, I enjoy it. One thing I did notice is how much brighter the 970 screen is, it’s silky. 

No kill like overkill, baby! I got a Fenix 8 51mm Sapphire Titanium AMOLED. Probably don't use anywhere near all the features, but it rocks.

All the hardcore runners I know are wearing Forerunner watches. The hybrid guys are wearing Fenix. Battery life on either will be excellent. Fenix gets updates for years. New features, as others have noted, will be limited to the 8. Really depends on if you want the look/weight/features of one or the other. I had the Fenix 7x and it was excellent. Currently in the 8, it isn't radically different in terms of what I use it for.

If they are not solar, they don't. There are no MIP watches without solar who have a longer standard battery life than the 51mm Fenix8 (29days) & Epix 2(pro)(31days). Only the Instinct 2 45mm comes close with 28 days, but has less then half of the activity tracking time then the Fenix and Epix. The newer and bigger MIP watches with solar do beat the Epix2 and Fenix8. Enduro2 & 3, Instinct 2x & 3 mips 51mm have the better battery life. Also without using the solar.

Fenix 8 51mm oled Or Epix 2 (pro) 51mm. Fenix 8 has 29 days of battery time, Epix2 pro 31 days. The Fenix 8 can do 84 hours of gps tracking, the Epic 82 Besides that the MIP display Instinct 2 gives you also 28 days, but only 30 gps hours.

I love my GF8 (non-solar) and it acquires GPS before I’ve had time to start my run and. There is a fast and slow mode, of course with its pros and cons. It’s a great sports watch and I’ve never felt it’s unreliable.