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Review - Garmin Fenix 8 – 47 mm - Solar - Sapphire

Solar Sapphire Power – With a Cleaner Look

The Fenix 8 Solar Sapphire model drops the red-tinted solar overlay for a discreet black solar ring, blending seamlessly with the bezel. This new solar tech is more powerful, delivering longer battery life without compromising display clarity. It’s a noticeable improvement over earlier Solar editions.


New Hardware: Built to Push Boundaries

- Microphone & speaker: Now you can take calls, use offline voice commands, and even record voice memos with GPS tagging while out on the trail. While the speaker volume could be louder, the convenience is undeniable.

- Offline Garmin Assistant: Start workouts, save waypoints, check weather—all without needing mobile signal.

- Leak-proof buttons: New fully sealed inductive buttons make this watch dive-ready and more resilient than ever.

- Revamped UI: Garmin has redesigned the interface for quicker access, better settings grouping, and improved activity tracking. It’s slick, modern, and more intuitive for new users.


Dive Capability Without the Hefty Price Tag

The Fenix 8 includes many features from Garmin’s Descent series, including:

- Auto-detection of dives

- Snorkel and freedive modes

- Depth limit of 40m (software-based)
Though not suited for technical diving, it's perfect for recreational divers and snorkellers. The addition of diving capability makes the Fenix 8 one of the most versatile outdoor watches available—without any subscription fees.


Activity Tracking & Navigation – Next-Level Performance

From trail running to alpine hikes, the Fenix 8 excels with:

- Industry-leading GPS accuracy – tested across tight cityscapes, cliffs, tunnels, and open water.

- Heart rate monitoring – comparable to a chest strap, even during intense intervals and rides.

- Improved round-trip routing – dynamically adjusts if you veer off course.

- Strength training plans – now available through Garmin Connect.


Notable Limitations

While nearly flawless in performance, the Fenix 8 does not include cellular connectivity, which may disappoint some users looking for full standalone safety features.

At £949.99+ RRP, it’s a significant investment, especially considering the price jump from the previous generation. However, its breadth of functionality arguably justifies it for serious adventurers.


Final Verdict

The Garmin Fenix 8 Solar Sapphire (47mm) is Garmin’s most complete multi-sport GPS watch yet—a beast of endurance, precision, and capability.

✅ Solar charging with sleek design
✅ New dive and voice features
✅ Top-tier GPS, heart rate & battery life
❌ No cellular
❌ Premium price tag

Is it worth it? If you’re looking for the ultimate outdoor watch—built for the mountains, water, roads, and gym—the Fenix 8 delivers. It's a futureproof investment for multi-sport athletes who want it all in one watch.

Garmin Fenix 8 - 47mm, Solar, Sapphire - more here

Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 / 5 from 485 reviews.

Customer photo review of Suunto Vertical Steel Solar

Great GPS functionality - locks on quickly. Suunto coach comes free with the app and has AI training plans, so, you don’t have to subscribe to such things separately. Battery life is great.

Suunto Vertical Steel Solar

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMAP H1

I bought the GPSMAP H1 online but picked it up from the Office in Northumberland as I was on holiday in the area a few days after I ordered it. I spoke with Jon, a really helpful and friendly guy. The staff at the office were good too. This device is really great. It came with some helpful documentation printed off by the shop. To get the best out of it use Garmin express and Garmin base map on either a Mac or a Windows computer. However, setting up your own courses on screen is fairly simple too. The preloaded maps are perfectly good, but if you want Ordnance survey maps there's a slot for an SD card. You can switch the touch screen off which is dead handy if you want to keep it in your pack or pocket whilst walking. The pictures I have attached show a course I did on screen. Also a bearing on the Humber Bridge. Apols for the quality but I needed three hands really. Overall I'm delighted. It's a complex thing so if you haven't had one before, take a couple of hours to mess about with it before going out and field test it on a walk you're familiar with.

Garmin GPSMAP H1

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus

Great device. A big improvement over the 67i No issues so far, feels nice & tough. Touchscreen is a bonus.

Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMAP H1

Bought the H1 GPS with the additional 1.5 maps . Arrived all checked over with card installed and set up for me. Thanks guys. Delivery was fast , works great straight out the box and can’t fault the service. The H1 works great after familiarise myself around the menu options. Took it out with me, for a test on a local walk. After I’d loaded up a route into it from Garmin explore app. Works great, very impressed with the touch screen feature . Added a screen protector and silicon soft case, for some extra protection . 😊

Garmin GPSMAP H1

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMAP H1

I had a Montana before this which was good but this is much better in that it has buttons and it’s more compact. The service from Outdoor GPS is also worth a mention as they were outstanding.

Garmin GPSMAP H1

Customer photo review of Suunto Wing 2 bone conduction headphones

My daily cycling routine involves 32km, and these Suunto Wing 2 have significantly improved my rides. I enjoy listening to music while staying aware of traffic. The lights are a fantastic feature for evening rides. They also perform well in strong winds. Overall, I love them.

Suunto Wing 2 bone conduction headphones

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMap 67i

Very happy with my purchase! It comes setting up straight from the box and with lots of useful information and paperwork. The person who answered on the phone was friendly and helpful. 100% recommend!

Garmin GPSMap 67i

Customer photo review of Suunto Vertical 2 Steel - Amoled

Upgraded to the Amoled version and can't believe how good the screen is, thanks for great watch at a super price.

Suunto Vertical 2 Steel - Amoled

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMap 67i

Excellent service from start to finish. Very responsive to my questions and clearly knowledgeable about the product. They took the time to explain things properly rather than giving rushed answers, which gave me confidence in the purchase. Delivery was smooth and everything arrived exactly as described. Would definitely use them again.

Garmin GPSMap 67i

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMap 67i

This satcoms navigation works perfectly, exactly what I needed.

Garmin GPSMap 67i

Customer photo review of Suunto Race 2 Stainless Steel

Lovely large screen to view and so many different activities to track. Excellent analysis after each activity which can be accessed on my phone or iPad and I can compare stats for same routes. Still getting used to all the functions to make the best of everything.

Suunto Race 2 Stainless Steel

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMap 67i

Delivered in good time ready to go.

Garmin GPSMap 67i

Customer photo review of Suunto Race S Stainless Steel

From start to finish I cannot fault Outdoor GPS Shop. Great price and great communication. I love my watch, it is packed with features and is well made. I will definitely be back for my next one, though hopefully this will last me a while. Cheers

Suunto Race S Stainless Steel

Customer photo review of Garmin inReach Mini 2

Reviewed various GPS units and wanted the extra confidence whilst out solo in the fells to be able to communicate with family. This ticks all the boxes.

Garmin inReach Mini 2

Customer photo review of Garmin GPSMap 67

Loving the Garmin GPSMAP67, I could not believe anything could have suck good battery life, Wow!

Garmin GPSMap 67

First use today on a 58 cycle ride. Love it, much clearer screen then the 600 it has replaced. Map updates were a challenge as they were not visible after update. Had to uninstall and reinstall to fix the problem.

Garmin Montana 710

Replaced Garmin Montana 700 series. Like the big screen but chunky and heavy.

Garmin Montana 710i

Watch is superb with a great battery life. Watch was delivered quickly and arrived next securely wrapped and was at a very competitive price. Highly recommended !

Garmin Fenix 8 – 43 mm, AMOLED - Sapphire

I was not very happy with the detail of the 1:50k maps, so I upgraded to the 1:25k. Even though it is much more expensive I am very glad I did, as I am a bit "OCD" about detail. The detail of the 1:25k shows things as they actually would appear from the air, rather than just the vague blobs reproduced by the 1:50k. I suppose it depends on what you want and what you use the maps for - I like the better accuracy of the 1:25k which I feel is more trustworthy and gives me a better feel of where I am, and what I can expect to see both of my surroundings and on the ground.

Garmin TOPO Great Britain PRO v3 (2024) 1:50k

I initially found this difficult to get to grips with, the problem being that I've been used to using a Dakota 20 for the last 10 years. However, now that I've had it outside and used it in anger, I must say its a big step up! I've spent some time setting it up as I want it (in some regard similar to the Dak20) but it's so customise- able, it just took time to work it out. Reading the manual was a big help!! I use Memory Map to upload my traces and the GPS 67 doesn't interface with it in the same that the Dakota did, which was a bit of a curve ball for me at first. It turns out though that the solution is just different not worse. All in all, now that I'm a bit more used to it I like it a lot. I'd have to say that I highly recommend this unit.

Garmin GPSMap 67i

Great service - the Inreach mini 3 arrived really quickly. I’ve only managed to use it once but it was great and I was able to keep in touch with my partner while I was out hiking. Will keep on playing with it as I’m going to use it in Nepal 🇳🇵 in November.

Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus

Great service. Prompt delivery with regular updates. The product is perfect after some early mistakes (Garmin your instructions are poor and it’s 3rd party YouTube that gets you sorted) it’s ideal for my needs in the Scottish Borders on my own with my Falcons miles from Signal.

Garmin inReach Messenger

Bit apprehensive with the cost but after getting one don't know how i on without one. Easy to use and learn just clicking buttons and screen soon learnt how to use it

Garmin GPSMAP H1

The Garmin 65s is a reliable workhorse of a GPS. I’ve used earlier models and I’m glad to say this one is still very robust and simple to use, once you’ve spent a bit of time playing around. It’s currently earning its keep in the far north of the Nordic region, in pretty wet and rugged conditions. The service from Outdoor GPS Shop was second to none. Highly recommended.

Garmin GPSMap 65s