The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus and Garmin fēnix 8 (43 mm AMOLED) watch are two pieces of gear I had my eye on for many years. I always delayed investing in them, but after finally taking the plunge, they didn’t just meet my expectations; they quickly became essential tools I rely on for safety, navigation, and my health and wellness.
I’m excited to share what I love about them so you can feel confident in taking the leap, too. In this gear review, I’ll be sharing my honest opinions, including pros and cons, and everything in between.
Before you continue...
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Garmin fēnix 8 Watch
Brief Product Overview
The Garmin Fenix 8 AMOLED is a multi-sport GPS smartwatch that is truly best matched for active, outdoor lovers.
It comes in several versions (SOLAR, E, MICROLED, and the new PRO), sizes (43, 47, and 51mm), and colors (white, black, orange, yellow, and more). I have the 43mm in silver with a Whitestone Silicone Band.
While I can’t compare the Garmin Fenix 8 watch to any other Garmin models, I can compare it to other smart watches I have used in the past. I’ve tried several different brands, and what makes this watch the best out of them all is the amount of (24/7) data you are given for fitness, wellness, and sleep.
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What I love
The outdoor capabilities are incredible. The Fenix 8 supports (and can track) over 100 activities. The ones I use most often are hiking, running, strength, pickleball, pilates, kayaking, and walking.
You can also dive with it—meaning it has leakproof buttons and is waterproof.
I found that other watches are more focused on steps and calories, and I ended up growing an unhealthy relationship with them. It’s been great to have data on things like my sleep and stress.
You begin and end each day with a morning and evening report, which helps me start and end my days right. It shows you health metrics to help with your training status/efficiency, body battery, and help you recover. It sometimes is the push I need to get a bit more rest or get outside.
What makes the Fenix 8 stand out from any other watch I’ve tried is the battery life. You can have up to 10 days of battery life, which, for outdoor-lovers, is an absolute game-changer. I used to have to charge my previous smartwatch mid-way on a hike, now I lose track of my Garmin charger because I rarely use it.
The GPS is incredibly accurate in any environment. The flashlight is incredibly helpful. The compass is great for any outdoor activity. There are preloaded maps with trail names, points of interest, street names, and more, which is so helpful.
The AMOLED screen is bright and sharp, so it’s easy to read while on the move. Both the touchscreen and buttons function well, and after a few weeks, you can navigate through the features in your watch without thinking about it.
With the Garmin Connect app, you have a clear breakdown of all your stats and data. You can join challenges, use Garmin Coach, which can build personalized fitness plans for you to help train for an event, improve your fitness, or achieve a goal.
There are a ton of features I haven’t even fully explored yet, like using the voice command, Garmin Pay (contactless payment service), and music storage. Something I will be trying soon is downloading preloaded maps for ski resorts and golf courses around the world, so you can navigate better when you’re out there!
Some things to consider
You can pair the watch to your phone and make/take phone calls, get texts, and emails. I prefer not to pair my watch to my phone, so I haven’t tried these functions and can’t speak to how well they function.
This watch is a little chunkier and bigger than other smartwatches I’ve used. I have a small wrist and, at first, I felt like I had to get used to the size. That said, I got used to it pretty quickly, and now I love it!
It is also more of a rugged design, so if you’re looking for something a little more dainty, it may not be the right one for you.
The battery life is absolutely incredible, but if you are someone who goes on 10+ day expeditions, you may want to think about getting the SOLAR option.
This watch is a premium smartwatch, so the price reflects that. It is an investment, but one I fully stand behind.
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Garmin inReach Messenger Plus
Brief Product Overview
The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus is a satellite communicator that is designed to help you stay connected when you’re outside cellular coverage.
You can send and receive messages, share your location via GPS, and trigger an SOS alert so help can be sent your way, if needed. With this inReach, on top of text, you can also send photos and voice notes, which is absolutely incredible.
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What I love
Even though I love to disconnect when I go outdoors, I love the peace of mind my Garmin inReach Messenger Plus gives me. Knowing that I can call for help if I need it, or keep up to date with friends and family in case of an emergency, is priceless.
You can easily pair the inReach with your cellphone and use the Garmin Messenger app to chat easily with your loved ones. It syncs with your contacts, so it’s seamless.
The design is well thought out and rugged, so it can handle any adventure. Just don’t go dropping it in water and you should be good!
I love how easy it is to navigate through the menu options and see the screen.
You can share your GPS location via link tracking, which has kept a fair share of my family and friends at ease.
Being able to send photos and 30-second voice messages is incredible. If you ever owned a satellite phone that had a tiny keyboard or didn’t connect to a cellphone, you know how great these features are. You can say (or show) what you need to so easily.
If you need to activate the SOS, you will be connected to a 24/7 staffed coordination center that will help.
Loved ones can follow your location in real time and even see stats like distance, elevation, and time, through Garmin’s Livetrack feature.
You can request weather reports, which have come in handy when the weather changes while out on longer trips.
If your cellphone’s battery is dead, you can use the inReach to charge it, which is great in a pinch!
The battery lasts for a really long time, and I usually don’t have to charge it for a few weeks, if not months. You can get 25 days of battery life in 10-minute tracking mode. I don’t often use tracking mode, so I find the battery lasts longer than that.
You can pair the inReach with the Garmin Explore app, which is an off-grid navigation tool. I haven’t used this enough to share too much about it, but I know it is great for mapping, tracking, and syncing your adventure right on your cellphone.
Some things to consider
The inReach requires a subscription to send messages and use satellite services. You can check out the plans here.
If you want a satellite device that has a keyboard and that you do not need your cellphone to connect to, the inReach Messenger Plus may not be the right fit.
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