Garmin - fēnix 8 Solar 51mm

Fenix 8 Solar 51mm. 22d. No workout tracking, no notifications. Just passively tracking my life.

I would probably say the 965 or, if you want a flashlight, the Fenix 8. * **Fenix 8 Solar vs. Fenix 8 AMOLED** * Solar charging is not going to make a difference in your battery life unless you spend a *huge* amount of time outside in very bright sunlight. * Most users here seem to be reporting excellent battery life with the AMOLED version of the Fenix 8. * I have the Fenix 8 Solar 51mm, supposedly the best Garmin has to offer in the Fenix 8 lineup for battery life. I usually get 10-14 days with heavy smartwatch usage and heavy endurance training usage. I charge the watch between 20 and 80% every 10-14 days. You'll easily be able to match that with an AMOLED version, with AOD, if you just throw it on the charger when you shower * **Flashlight** * If you can afford it, get it. The flashlight is amazing. * **Auto-tracking activities** * Every Garmin I've ever had will track these kinds of workouts fairly accurately through the MoveIQ functionality. * That said, I usually track everything manually, because why not? My Fenix 8 has a separate "Bike Commute" profile which I use for errands, commuting, etc. I am a triathlete, runner, bike commuter, etc. I swim, bike, run, walk, strength train, yoga, SUP, OWS, ski. The Forerunner 965 or the Fenix 8 will be an outstanding choice for you.

Yep. I have an AWU2 and a Fenix 8 Solar. Probably selling the AWU2 soon because it failed me so badly on a recent 70M ultra. People knock the Garmins for their poor smartwatch features, but honestly the differences have really minimized over time. On both watches I can: * use voice commands to quickly set timers and alarms * check the weather, my calendars * respond to text messages with Siri * this is much, much better on Apple Watch, but the Garmin has gotten it done for me, including when I'm going 20 mph on a bicycle or flying down a ski slope * contactless pay The only real advantages Apple Watch have are cellular, a few niche app things like unlocking my Level app, and better speech-to-text/Siri performance. The UI is also nice on Apple Watch, but the revamped UI for Fenix 8 and Enduro 3 is better than before and I quite like it. I'm not apologizing for Garmin Connect, however. That's still pretty rough. The Garmin Fenix 8 really does have a better training/wellness package. Sleep tracking works well for me, and Body Battery and Stress are actionable items for me that Apple Watch cannot replicate, not even with 3rd party apps, and I'm a Bevel subscriber. The AWU2 is a nice to have, but as a guy who does ultras north of 50 miles and long, off-grid hikes, the Garmin is the better device.

Triathlete and ultrarunner here. I'm deep into both ecosystems: * Garmin: bike computer, watch, scale, HRM-600, more * Apple: iPad Pro, iPhone Pro, AirPods Pro, Apple Watch Ultra 3, MacBook Air, HomePods, AppleTV, essentially everything other than AVP. For me, the AWU3 is just as good as Garmin for endurance training, as long as my event is less than \~10-12 hours. Almost all of the endurance metrics and numbers the Garmin gives are not actionable. The only three items that influence my training are: 1. HRV Status 2. Resting heart rate 3. Body battery - this is a weird one as it's one of those proprietary, black box marketing numbers Garmin offers. But I've honestly found that a ton about my sleep, recovery, stress, etc are captured in my starting and ending numbers. Each of those 3 can be replicated on Apple Watch. I've found that Bevel, which is free now, very closely tracks with Garmin in terms of HRV and Body Battery (Energy Bank on Bevel). And the Vitals app gives you the same RHR data, and the AWU3 sensor is generally more reliable. I ran a 70.5 mile ultra last year with my Fenix 8 and my old AWU2. I used WorkOutDoors because I wanted mapping and a few other metrics. The battery didn't last, and that turned out to be huge. I took a wrong turn without realizing it and my Garmin immediately started yelling at me. WOD can do that too...but only if the battery isn't dead. This was with all relevant battery settings highly optimized. If anything, the Garmin *adds* friction into my training setup. I train swimming with FORM goggles, cycling with TrainerRoad and Zwift, and running with intervals.icu. The Garmin gives me a whole other ecosystem I have to manage. With the AWU3, everything mostly lives in intervals.icu and I don't have to worry about keeping Connect happy. That said, I love my Fenix 8 and I don't wear the AWU3 anymore. I'm keeping it for a few more months to see if Health+ or watchOS 27 bring something truly game-changing, but overall the Fenix 8 makes me happier and it can go the distance for my ultrarunning and 140.6 goals.

I was holding out for the 8 Pro, but after the reveal I went with the 8 51mm Solar.  I am team MIP display and that not being an option on the 8 Pro I was immediately turned off on it. 

Im in garmin ecosystem for 1 year and I dont see such problems as other users. I mean, im using a Fênix 8 51mm solar now and didnt notice bugs and the battery doesnt reach as much as advertised, but performs very well. My former epix 2 had some bugs, but Garmin fixed. Charging port its ok. However, my old t Rex 2 from amazfit had magnetic charging port, which was nice.

Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED around 14-16 days - no activities at all. Fenix 8 51mm MIP around 18-19 days - no activities. MIP should be double battery life. It sucks

The only solution is to wear them both. The only problem is which one goes on which arm. I keep flip flopping. So far left arm is for Fenix and right for AWU. If Apple Watch Ultra had at least 5-7 days of battery life, a way to operate it with or without touchscreen, had a flashlight, and offline maps it would be unbeatable. I doubt any of these things are coming any time soon.

I have a Fenix 8 Solar and I have to charge it weekly. That’s 52 times a year

The hyperbole is unwarranted since the Fenix 8 Solar 51mm, which is basically the best Fenix, battery-wise, is so far from charging it once a month, that it’s ridiculous. It’s not a smartwatch (unlike the Apple Watch, for example) and the battery everyone brags about is perhaps if you’re not using it to track anything. I’ve had mine for 11 months now and I’m literally charging it weekly. I like the running metrics, especially since the last update, but still, where’s my one month battery?

I replaced my Fenix 8 51mm solar a few days ago and I'm totally happy. I like the app much better. My Suunto works much better with rouvy than Garmin (there I always had to run two activities) and also when running Zone Sense is a game changer So from my side: I'm glad to have changed and don't look back anymore

Be aware you will be losing a lot leaving Apple Watch. You’ll get lots of benefits of course but the UI / Apps / Software / Music Streaming are pretty bad. It’s going to feel especially bad coming from a polished OS experience. Having said that loads of pros. Top notch fitness tracking. Battery for days. Flashlight. Super rugged looking and performing hardware. No phone on your wrist distracting you lighting up like a Christmas tree all the time. The software and the bugs are what let Garmin down. If you can cope with that I have an Enduro 3. IMO best watch Garmin make. Second Fenix 8 (non pro) 51mm solar.

It’s the king of Garmins line up in my opinion. If you don’t dive or need a speaker then no point getting the 8. The enduro is an 8 without those features. It’s also lighter. Super comfortable and has battery for weeks.

Fenix 8 51mm MIP and Forerunner 970. The Fenix 8, because it will do anything I want and the battery lasts forever, but it was just too big for daily wear and so bought the 970. The 970 is great for daily wear and has the same sapphire display to be just as durable and would be fine as my sole watch, but I can’t be bothered to sell the Fenix and so now it’s my workout watch and vacation watch.

I have the fenix MIP 51mm and a forerunner 970. Unless you are diving, I don’t think the fenix adds much. It’s quite a bit thicker too and so has a feeling of sitting up on your wrist whereas the forerunner, I think fits more natural. I wear the forerunner as my daily and wear the fenix for workouts and take it on vacations so I don’t have to worry about charging.

If you are set on 47mm and AMOLED, go with forerunner unless you dive. The forerunner has basically the same features and is lighter and considerably thinner. If you’d consider MIP, it’s only available on the fenix and makes for significantly longer battery life, but I get ~6 days on the 970 with AOD and I can’t imagine needing more than that. I do take my MIP Fenix 8 on vacations though so I don’t have to worry about charging, but it’s just too thick for daily wear.

For me it is the Fénix 8 solar 51mm

I have a Fénix 8 solar and I recommend it to you. It's the best watch I've ever had

I have a Fénix 8 solar and it is the best Garmin watch I have ever had. I recommend it to you

I have a Fénix 8 and for me it is quite reliable in sleep and cardio. And if you want more precision in your sleep, I recommend the Index Sleep Monitor

I have a Fénix 8 but for the use you are going to give it, the Forerunner 255 or 265 would be good for you

Since the differences are not many, both watches will serve you perfectly but I would go for the Fénix 8 which is aesthetically more beautiful and resistant

I have a Fénix 8 and it is the best Garmin watch I have ever had. I recommend it to you

I have a Fénix 8 and it is the best Garmin watch I have ever owned. I recommend it to you

Yes the 5 buttons are essential. I have a Fénix 8, it is touch-sensitive and has 5 buttons. I never use the touch screen, I always use the buttons.

Buy a Fénix 8, I have one and I recommend it 100%

I would buy the Fénix 8

The Fénix range is Garmin's top one and therefore when new functions come out they will surely put them first and for me it is also aesthetically pleasing, the Fénix 8 is beautiful, I love it. I have a 51mm Fénix 8 solar. También por la duración de la batería que es impresionante