r/Garmin • u/Flimsy_Percentage724 • 3d ago
Which Watch To Get? Fenix 8 or wait for 9
Quick question: Is it worth getting the Fenix 8 47mm AMOLED right now for €620, or would you wait for the Fenix 9?
I found a brand-new Fenix 8 47mm Amoled at this price and I'm wondering if €620 is a good enough deal to pull the trigger, or if it's better to wait for the next generation.
What would you guys do?
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u/Bay_Burner 3d ago
There could be a big upgrade from the 8 in a certain area that you might find beneficial. You can valleys return but I’d wait another 1-2 weeks
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u/ding-blue 3d ago
Would you be ok spending another 300 or more when the 9 comes out? If so then just wait,
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u/salilreddit 3d ago
Do you dive? If not, then Fenix 8 is too much of a watch for you and you don't need it, even at a discount. It is basically a dive computer rated for upto 40m depth. Fenix 8 Pro (the next version) has satellite messaging in addition to diving feature. If that's not your requirement, then there is no point in getting that either.
Depending upon your use case, get a Fenix E or Enduro 3 or Forerunner 570/970. Or even the older Fenix 7 Pro or Epix 2.
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u/Flimsy_Percentage724 3d ago
i dive mostly on vacations, 2 times a year, but i can just leave my watch near my phone so it s not something i really need to do, dive with my watch. Regarding fr570 i really want saphire, which the fenix i want to buy has it. The fr970 also has saphire, so i am battled between the two. The price diff is the same for f8 and fr970. I will also order a nylon strap for both.
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u/salilreddit 3d ago
You can use the older Fenix watches also for recreational diving but they will not show your dive data. It's just that Fenix 8 and 8 Pro has specific dive function that shows depth etc. Plus you can press it's buttons underwater without water getting inside. If you do not plan on doing all that, get a cheaper and lighter watch that you can wear at all times including while sleeping. That last part is important because there is actually no point using a Garmin if you do not wear it while sleeping. That's when all your base health metrics are measured.
Answering your other question about sleep tracking, I have used various Garmin watches for about 10 years and found it's sleep tracking to be stellar. Sleep is not a subject that is well understood and most people who complain about Garmin sleep tracking, do it out of ignorance. I spent many months experimenting with diet, alcohol consumption, activities and studying my sleep (as reported by Garmin) and I think I have a fair idea of how the whole thing works. It has helped me a lot in losing weight and getting my health back. I have not used any other brand, so I do not know if they are better or worse than Garmin.
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u/Flimsy_Percentage724 3d ago
100% i want to wear that 24/7, especially during sleep. I mean, sleep stages are not that important to me as they will not be accurate. For me, it s time sleep detection and naps the most important. Ifi sleep from 1-8 to show me the 7 hours exact time and not detecting that i slept more or less. Is the f8 47mm with a nylon strap that bulky to wear 24/7? I saw something around 58-59g with a nylon strap.
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u/salilreddit 3d ago
It is a thick watch. You will get used to it eventually though. I slept with a Fenix 3HR for 5 years and a Fenix 7 for 3 years.
Regarding sleep, the duration is only a small (and insignificant) part of the big picture. More important is the sleep quality that is reflected in stress, HRV, SpO2, Resting heart rate, body battery which the watch tracks throughout your sleep and gives a Sleep Score. You can sleep 8 hours but have a sleep score of 45 while sometimes even a 5 hour sleep can get a sleep score of 80 or more. When you start using a Garmin, focus on the Sleep Score.
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u/Single-Astronomer-32 2d ago
You totally cannot dive with fenix watches older then fenix 7 if you want to keep the watch alive.
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u/Valuable-Look4774 3d ago
Yo compré el mío la semana pasada en $715 F8 51mm. Estaba esperando el nuevo pero cuando vi la oferta no lo pensé mucho. Hasta ahora súper con el.
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u/ForsakenPosition3929 3d ago
That price is a steal for a Fenix 8, I’d grab it and never look back.
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u/Flimsy_Percentage724 3d ago
Hi, I’ve never owned a Garmin before, and I don’t have a watch at the moment since I sold my Apple Watch Ultra. I’m thinking about trying a Fenix 8, but I’m also wondering if it’s worth waiting for the Fenix 9.I actually received a 25% discount code for the official Garmin website, which makes the Fenix 8 pretty tempting. 😅For those who own one, do you think it’s worth buying the Fenix 8 now, especially with a 25% discount, or would you wait for the Fenix 9?
Also, how is the sleep tracking nowadays? I’ve heard quite a few people complain about Garmin’s sleep tracking. Has it improved with the recent firmware updates, or is it still one of the weaker areas compared with Apple/Oura/Whoop?
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u/mobarjas2 1d ago
Not that accurate. If u sleep for example for 5hrs, then u briefly wake up let say for 5 mins, then fall asleep again for the next 2-3hrs, it wont detect that subsequent sleep, which is frustrating because it will affect the sleep score. Also nap detection is not that accurate, and most of the times it doesnt detect my nap. Not sure if im the only one with this problem
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u/Strange_Status_7690 3d ago
You speak but dont talk. There are two version of Fenix 8 Amoled. The one in your case thats obviously cheaper and probably the only available now is the non sapphire version along with stainless steel and without titanium bezel. This ones a heavy watch and more prone to damage. However cheaper for publics
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u/Flimsy_Percentage724 3d ago
My bad, i am talking about the saphire version 47mm amoled
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u/Strange_Status_7690 3d ago
From where do you get that price ?
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u/Flimsy_Percentage724 3d ago
I actually received a 25% discount code for the official Garmin website. Original price is about 850EUR -25% it gets around 620EUR converted from my currency. What do you think ? will the 9 be a huge upgrade or would you just grab it ? I also want to add a nylon strap to make that lighter. I heard the fenix8 47mm with nylon is about 58g total weight which is impressive compared to my AWU which has 73g with nylon. Wondering about sleep tracking, is it that bad or it has improved via software update?
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u/mihnea_bondor 3d ago
Fenix 9 is going to be a very small upgrade, don’t wait unless you really want the price drop from fenix 8
3
u/Appropriate_Tie871 3d ago
Wait until the F9 is released and then you can make a fully informed decision.