Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - fnix 8 Pro AMOLED Sapphire GPS Smartwatch 47mm Fiber-reinforced polymer - Carbon Gray DLC Titanium - (2025)
Average customer rating
4.2
(53 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 53 reviews
5 Stars
32
4 Stars
9
3 Stars
6
2 Stars
4
1 Star
2
Customer Reviews for Garmin - fnix 8 Pro AMOLED Sapphire GPS Smartwatch 47mm Fiber-reinforced polymer - Carbon Gray DLC Titanium - (2025)
Customer Rating
4
Impressive Watch - Still Struggling with InReach
on February 13, 2026
Posted by: DK Boulder
I had an Epix 2 for several years and loved it. I was very excited to move up to the Fenix 8 Pro. I had a 47mm Epix so I bought a 47mm Fenix. The Fenix display has noticeably more visible area than the Epix in the same watch diameter. Very nice.
One of my main reasons for stepping up to the Fenix 8 Pro was the built in InReach functionality. I used to carry a SPOT all the time and send check in messages to my wife frequently. I mountain bike in remote areas, and sometimes alone. I was looking forward to carrying one less device and just using my watch.
The InReach function definitely works, but there are some things I didn't realize. When you send a check in message it will first try to send it through your cell phone, then it will try it's own LTE connection, and then it will send it via satellite. You can force it to do satellite only, but this comes with some challenges. You can't just press the send button and then go about riding assuming that it will send a message at some point. That's how the SPOT used to work, and what I always did. If you want to send a satellite message you have to be in one location, you may have to follow a graphic on the watch to better locate the watch, then wait for it to go through all it's connecting and sending business.
It's a great watch, and I'm glad I have it, but the InReach function is a little fussier than I expected for the kinds of places I tend to recreate.
One of my main reasons for stepping up to the Fenix 8 Pro was the built in InReach functionality. I used to carry a SPOT all the time and send check in messages to my wife frequently. I mountain bike in remote areas, and sometimes alone. I was looking forward to carrying one less device and just using my watch.
The InReach function definitely works, but there are some things I didn't realize. When you send a check in message it will first try to send it through your cell phone, then it will try it's own LTE connection, and then it will send it via satellite. You can force it to do satellite only, but this comes with some challenges. You can't just press the send button and then go about riding assuming that it will send a message at some point. That's how the SPOT used to work, and what I always did. If you want to send a satellite message you have to be in one location, you may have to follow a graphic on the watch to better locate the watch, then wait for it to go through all it's connecting and sending business.
It's a great watch, and I'm glad I have it, but the InReach function is a little fussier than I expected for the kinds of places I tend to recreate.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
3
Ups and downs
on February 16, 2026
Posted by: Surfer Guy
I upgraded from an EPIX, primarily because I wanted the LTE/Satellite features. Those seem to work fine, but I was negatively surprised that a few basic features I enjoyed with the EPIX are not available on the Fenix. (e.g. top speed in knots and ability to have AOD during an activity, but not otherwise)
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love it!
on February 24, 2026
Posted by: South Texas Mike
Earlier in the year I bought an Apple Ultra 3 which is a great watch. I’ve owned a few Garmin products in the past. Got out of running 5 years ago but trying to make a slow and steady comeback. I’m also an avid hiker. At 57 my comeback is going to take time and will involve monitoring a lot of variables that the Garmin allows. I love the feel of a round watch over a square one any day! If there’s anything I’d love to see Garmin add, it’s would be the ability to adjust alarms and change and edit faces from the app. Other than that it’s awesome!
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
2
SOS doesnt function
on March 4, 2026
Posted by: Joy1
The SOS function doesnt work because it wont connect to satelite even with a clear view of a cloudless sky right near town...this was the main reason I got the watch
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch, great features.
on March 4, 2026
Posted by: AJ Vegas
Received the fenix 8 pro as a gift to upgrade my fenix 5. I love the new watch and continue to learn how to use it. I use it mountain biking, while skiing and for golf. Love being able use my wireless headphones with just the watch and leave my phone behind while biking.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin