Customer reviews from Garmin
Garmin - tactix 8 AMOLED GPS Smartwatch 51 mm Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover - Black - (2025)
Average customer rating
4.7
(53 Reviews)
Rating breakdown 53 reviews
5 Stars
46
4 Stars
2
3 Stars
2
2 Stars
1
1 Star
2
Customer Reviews for Garmin - tactix 8 AMOLED GPS Smartwatch 51 mm Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover - Black - (2025)
Customer Rating
5
Garmin Tactix 8, AMOLED 51mm
on December 18, 2025
Posted by: MasterGooner
Bought this bout a month ago, best watch I have ever owned. Amazing tactical features for for military ops or just day to day usage. Definitely the best watch in the market and highly recommend to anyone.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Fantastic watch
on December 25, 2025
Posted by: Josh556
Ive had my tactix for about a month now, I still havent been able to use every feature but the ones I have are all light years ahead of my instinct tactical 2 I had for years.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
One of the greatest "do-it-all" watches ever made.
on January 1, 2026
Posted by: Anonymous
The Garmin Tactix 8 is a modern marvel of wristwear. The watch combines a pleasing aesthetic, with superb quality hardware and well thought out software for the target consumer. The features of the watch work beautifully in a variety of conditions and it does it all while looking great.
The display is impressive. It's bright, colorful and smooth. The wrist gesture works very well with only the occasional hiccup. The auto brightness is a bit clunky at times, but it generally functions well. All of the button shortcuts are super useful and being able to control and access important features of the watch with a simple button combo is great. Navigating the UI with the buttons is easy and intuitive, especially if you've had any other Garmin watch before. The touchscreen is responsive and large enough that navigating via touch is also a breeze.
Battery life is phenomenal, with an average of about 25 days for me recording 4-6 activities a week. Prior to this watch, I had a Fenix 7 Pro Sapphire Solar. The solar function added very little life to the battery so I was fine trading that for a bigger screen with smaller bezels.
Calling works great and the speaker is plenty loud unless you're in an already loud room, but that's typical of any watch speaker.
I love how well Garmin has integrated connectivity with Inreach devices on their watches too. Controlling my InReach Messenger from the watch is super easy and well laid out. You can even activate SOS through the watch if your Inreach or phone is not immediately in hand, like in a pack or vehicle.
Maps work great, look great and are well detailed. Having the ability to navigate anywhere from my watch, even if my phone doesn't have service is huge. Even the weather overlays work well in my experience.
Running, rucking, HIIT and other activities are tracked very accurately with this watch. The GPS accuracy is incredible, even in more urban areas. The watch is also able to keep up with me during shooting events using the Tactical activity mode.
Also, if you've never owned a Garmin watch with the built in flashlight, you are missing out greatly. It is an extremely useful tool and I use mine daily, despite also usually carrying an EDC flashlight.
I really cannot think of any downsides to this watch aside from the price. This is a well made, secure, accurate and stylish piece that will work just as well in an office as it will in the back country or out in the field.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Great watch, very rugged
on January 7, 2026
Posted by: Chitwood46
I got this watch as a gift for my wife. So far it has been amazing. I had an instinct solar and upgraded to this one and I couldn’t be happier. I love the touch screen, flashlight and all the upgraded workout and ruck functions. It was overall very robust and the battery life is outstanding. I have not got to use the AB function yet but I’m sure it will be great for my Dasher, 5 out of 5 stars. If you are thinking of upgrading this watch is for you.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin
Customer Rating
5
Love the Tactix 8
on January 8, 2026
Posted by: AntonAZ
I used a Samsung watch for hiking and always had issues with battery life; it would stop working after 3 hours. The Tactix 8 is amazing. I can go on a 5-hour hike, and in full-on tracking mode, it uses less than 10% of the battery. Furthermore, I never take my phone out of my pocket anymore with all the amazing tracking and mapping features right on the watch itself. I am super happy with this watch, and in combination with my Garmin InReach Mini, I'm connected as well.
Written by a customer while visiting Garmin