Garmin fenix 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2

[Rider21]

Hi, I know maybe you get asked this a lot. I am in the fence in buying the garmin fenix 8 or tactix vs the Apple Watch Ultra. What do you recommend

 

[ottoshape]

Did they improve battery charge intervals on the Ultra version of the Apple watch? FWIW, My Fenix needs a charge once every 7-10 days while my Apple watch had to be charged every day. For that reason alone, I much prefer my Fenix.

 

[Stihldog]

I still have the iwatch 4. I guess I’m in the Apple ecosystem. I’ve only tried the older garmin products for us but those now hide in a drawer.

My children purchased and insisted that I wear the iWatch all the time. “Okay fine …I will “.

It didn’t take long for me t discover the benefits. It plays well with my iPhone. I forget I’m wearing it. Location tracking. Receiving phone calls. Remote picture selfies. Emergency calls. Works with Strava. OTB and crash sensor. I’ve triggered the auto-emergency-call sensor numerous times after a crash and/or OTB’s.

Since I ride solo 90% of the time it gives my family some peace of mind. Funny situation once; had an OTB and end up upside down in a large bramble bush. My bike travelled a few meters down the trail.

But there I was …upside down and held hostage by a bramble bush. A small limb had found its way between my wrist and watch-band …which was suspended above my head and out of reach. I probably looked like an upside down suspended scarecrow. The countdown, to call emergency services, began.

I frantically tried to free myself to prevent a 911 call …I was ok, but stuck in a weird predicament.

I eventually snapped the limb and stopped the 911 call, with seconds to spare. It took several minutes to free myself without causing further leaks from the small thorns. Checked out the bike …good …continued my ride.

When I returned home my wife met me. “WTF have you DONE”. Apparently I had sprung more leaks than I thought. My legs, arms and face had dried blood everywhere. I could have been an extra in a horror film.

Anyways, the watch . I like a clean cockpit and I’ve gotten use to wearing a watch. I don’t use all the things it can do but it reminds me to -feed the dog, put out the trash, take my medication, appointments, birthdays, holidays , nightstand clock, alarm blah blah blah.

It’s kinda handy now and I’m almost ready to upgrade. $$$

 

[ottoshape]

FWIW, the Garmin will do the 911 thing too and can send a live track web link for every ride you head out on. Recipients can view your progress almost real time. Garmin won't do telephone stuff but can display your text msgs from your phone.