Garmin launched the fēnix 8 at the end of last summer, breaking the $1,000 barrier for entry into a GPS watch model line. I expected a lot from this watch, not only because of the price, but because I had been using the fēnix 7 for a year and found it to be an excellent tool for every activity I do.
Garmin has been a leader in the GPS game for what seems like eons, and the fēnix line has been one of the most coveted and feature-laden models for outdoor adventurers. I was keen to find out just how much better the fēnix 8 Solar was compared to the prior version, given the $300 price increase.
Garmin’s outdoor sports-oriented GPS devices have been a staple for me and almost everyone I know for decades. From motorcycle navigation to climbing, cycling, and even sleeping, I’m almost always using a Garmin product — and at times, I have three going at once.
Whether on roads, mountains, or wide-open backcountry, I have trusted these gadgets to guide me home, inform me of dangers, communicate, and monitor my well-being. To say that Garmin is entrenched in my life is not an overstatement.
Now that I’m thinking about it, it’s almost scary how much I depend on Garmin.
GPS watches are the only electronic items, other than a Whoop, that I wear 24/7. These marvels of technology do so many things for me every day. From getting me up to reminding me of appointments to informing me of the weather, monitoring my sleep and health, and measuring my performance outdoors, the watches act as my support staff. The permanent tan line around my left wrist is proof.
I constantly wore and used the Garmin fēnix 8 Solar for 4 months. It got me up in the morning, informed me of the day to come, tracked every workout and outdoor activity, and kept an eye on my health status.
I didn’t baby it despite the high price. It stayed on when I went rock climbing, rode dirt bikes, or did chores around my property. It got hit, scratched, and exposed to extreme temperature ranges and so much dust.
In short: The Garmin fēnix 8 has every feature that any outdoors enthusiast could want. It can do everything, and I mean absolutely everything, with precision, and it has proven durable in doing so. It’s difficult to poke holes in the premium GPS watch, and most won’t use all of what it can do. But this comes at a high price — $1,200! To me, it’s not if the watch meets a feature list or performance standard; it’s whether it’s worth upgrading or buying over the fēnix 7 or other, less expensive models.
Shopping for a GPS watch? Check out our guide on the best GPS watches.
- Battery Life: Up to 48 days with Solar
- Weight: 95g, 51mm Solar
- Case Size: 43mm, 47mm, or 51mm
- Display Size: 1.4", 51mm Solar
- Bezel Material: Stainless steel or titanium
- Water Resistance Rating: 10 ATM (100 me)
Pros
- Incredible number of functions
- Excellent data reporting through Garmin Connect
- Super-long battery life
- Functions as a dive computer
Cons
- Have to choose between AMOLED and solar
- Bulky for an everyday watch
- Expensive
Garmin Fēnix 8 Solar Review
What’s New
Big Additions
User Interface Updates
General UI Updates
- A quicker way to temporarily unlock the touchscreen
- A one-touch toggle to orient the map with north up or track up
- Updated map zoom interface
- An updated, more centralized way to save waypoints, routes, etc.
- Map layers selection quick access menu
- Menu to alter active navigation
- New watch faces and watch face editor
- New “focus” modes similar to iPhone modes
- Updated notification system
- Updated access to widgets, settings, activity pages, and workout pages
New Software Features
- Strength training plans via Garmin Connect
- Correction/updating of GPS tracks via watch sensor data
- Dynamic round-trip routing — watch will update the active route to maintain a specified distance even if you go off course
- A reminder to turn around at the halfway point of a set distance
- Ski difficulty tracking
- Countdown app for dates or events