Garmin Tactix 8 vs Fenix 8

[cpalm9]

In the market for a Garmin watch. My open questions:

1. Is the AB integration worth the extra cost? I do have Leica Geovid Pro that could connect to the Tactix but I can also do that on my phone and/or tape a dope card on my stock

2. AMOLED or Solar? Tactix only has the AMOLED in 47mm. Solar is only offered in the massive 51mm. Fenix has a 43mm AMOLED and 47mm solar. Which screen makes the most sense for your average Joe that gets outside as often as he can but also works a desk job?

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Not an exact response, but I am coming off a Fenix 5. Just got into an Instinct 3 Tactical. I have not bought the AB app to use. Cliff Gray just did a review on this and said NOBODY actually used the AB in the field. He might be correct. I'd like to have the option, but not certain I will use it.

I am old. Not a Techie. The Fenix series has WAY too much schitt on it for me. I don't need 3 modes for Rowing. It's ridiculous

My $500 Instinct has sooooo many functions, and set up was seamless. Very much love it. For 1/3 the price.

I went 51mm? amoled. Only watched on YT the comparison. Think I would try Solar if doing so again. Little but of a starburst to my eye it's so bright.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

51 isn't at all massive to me. But my wrist is 7.75"

 

[TGPrecision]

I was in a similar situation earlier this year. I ended up getting a Tactix 8 47mm, so had to get the AMOLED.

As far as AB goes, it’s a nice to have feature. I use it, but a dope card is perfectly sufficient. I do like having different profiles stored, and the ability to change some environmental data on the fly.

I also work a desk job, maybe in the field 1% of my time. A couple of us in the office have different Garmins, probably a 50/50 on AMOLED vs solar. If I had to guess, the solar would look better in direct sunlight vs fluorescent lighting in an office.

I think either is a good choice, I get ~12-16 days of battery life out of mine, just depending on how I use it. Slim wrists steered me to the 47 though!

 

[Tahoe1305]

My favorite part of the fenix is battery life. But only comes really with non AMOLED. If I recall the battery drains quick with the fancy screens. I have a fenix 6 I’ve had for 5 years. Battery still good for 2+ weeks at a time.

 

[cpalm9]

I was in a similar situation earlier this year. I ended up getting a Tactix 8 47mm, so had to get the AMOLED.

As far as AB goes, it’s a nice to have feature. I use it, but a dope card is perfectly sufficient. I do like having different profiles stored, and the ability to change some environmental data on the fly.

I also work a desk job, maybe in the field 1% of my time. A couple of us in the office have different Garmins, probably a 50/50 on AMOLED vs solar. If I had to guess, the solar would look better in direct sunlight vs fluorescent lighting in an office.

I think either is a good choice, I get ~12-16 days of battery life out of mine, just depending on how I use it. Slim wrists steered me to the 47 though!

Does the watch give you anything extra in the AB display that I wouldn't already get from my binos (elevation and wind call)? Does it take in environmental info or would you need to connect a kestrel for that? New to the AB world but not new to my own dope with 5, 10, 15 wind holds.

How's the AMOLED when you are out in the woods? Is it too bright?