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"Metal" rear cover material for titanium models

Fil
8 months ago

I recently noticed some rash on my wrist that touches the back of my stainless steel Fenix 8 and came across nickel allergy in stainless steel models. So, I tried searching if titanium models would solve this. I noticed that in previous Fenix 7 Pro titanium models, the specifications for the case material read "fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium rear cover". However, for the Fenix 8 titanium models, it reads "fiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover". When I checked with a local Garmin store, they said that all Fenix 8 models had steel rear cover, including the titanium models. I thought this was a bit of a misleading marketing by Garmin, especially when everyone had assumed, coming from past titanium models, that the rear cover would be titanium too. 

Hoping that Garmin would state officially in the specifications page or verify this.

  • 0 5 days ago

    Thank you very much for your post. I also noticed this issue on Garmin’s official website. Not only did the previous generation Fenix 7 Pro/Epix Pro clearly state that the case back was made of titanium alloy, but the same generation Tactix 8 also explicitly listed titanium alloy as the back cover material. At first, I found it hard to believe, but after seeing your post, it became clear to me that Garmin has indeed downgraded the back cover material on the Fenix 8. This move is truly disgraceful.

  • 0 4 days ago

    The Fenix 8 literally has the word "TITANIUM" stamped into the back of the case. You're telling me this isn't titanium?

    2154124 said:
    after seeing your post, it became clear to me that Garmin has indeed downgraded the back cover material on the Fenix 8

    Ahhh is it clear? Perhaps you want to reach out to support for clarification before making wild conspiratorial claims based upon ambiguous type in some marketing text? Smile

  • 0 4 days ago
    Fil said:
    When I checked with a local Garmin store, they said that all Fenix 8 models had steel rear cover, including the titanium models.

    Well... The rear cover on my tactix 8 - 51mm Solar Standard is Titanium, and it appears all tactix models have a Titanium rear cover:

    Clearly specified by Garmin and confirmed by observation on my tactix 8.

    Sounds like your Garmin store gave you some bad info if they meant to include the tactix models in their "all Fenix 8 models" statement.

    Also clearly specified by Garmin is that some fenix 8 models (including some models with a Titanium bezel) do indeed have a "metal" rear cover:


    So... If the material of the rear cover is important to you, then I suggest you read the clearly published specifications and choose accordingly.

    HTH

  • 0 4 days ago in reply to gaijin

    My Garmin store was referring specifically to Fenix 8 models. At that time, the Tactix 8 wasn’t even out yet. I thought one could safely assume that a titanium model would naturally feature a titanium rear cover. I mean, what is a “metal” rear cover? Copper? Aluminium? Magnesium? Doesn’t seem like a clearly published specification to me. But thanks for the advice.

  • 0 4 days ago in reply to Fil

    @Fil  the Garmin Fenix 8 solar (Ti) does indeed have a titanium back and bezel,  screws are stainless.  Checking at work it looks like it's a 6-4 Ti that Garmin uses. 

    I also am sensitive to nickel based stainless so I opted for the titanium and never had any reaction.   Just wanted to weigh in in case anyone else has questions. 

  • +1 4 days ago in reply to TODD D

    I am sorry to hear you are having this issue. The skin irritation may be a result of build-up on the watch band and/or casing. You should discontinue wearing your watch until your skin has healed. Please review the following FAQ that provides important information regarding the wear and care of your Garmin watch: https://www.garmin.com/watch-fit-and-care/. If you feel that this issue warrants further discussion, or you continue to experience this please reach out to Garmin Product Support via our Garmin Support Center.

  • 0 4 days ago in reply to Garmin-Laurie

    Thank Laurie. But I noticed you did not address the key question - is the rear cover of the titanium models indeed titanium? Since the specifications all say “metal” rear cover. Thank you!

  • 0 4 days ago in reply to 2529455

    Hello, before making this judgment, I had already reviewed a large amount of official information from Garmin’s website, so I don’t believe I’m making unfounded assumptions. I’d like to share the relevant sources here—Garmin’s official listings for the rear cover materials of the Fenix/Epix series (all information taken directly from the Garmin website):

    • fēnix® 7 – Standard Edition: metal rear cover

    • fēnix® 7 – Solar Edition: metal rear cover

    • fēnix® 7 – Sapphire Solar Edition: titanium rear cover

    • fēnix® 7 Pro – Solar Edition: steel rear cover

    • fēnix® 7 Pro – Sapphire Solar Edition: titanium rear cover

    • epixTm (Gen 2) – Standard Edition: steel rear cover

    • epixTm (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition: titanium rear cover

    • epixTm Pro (Gen 2) – Standard Edition: steel rear cover

    • epixTm Pro (Gen 2) – Sapphire Edition: titanium rear cover

    • fēnix® E – 47 mm, AMOLED (steel): metal rear cover

    • fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, Solar (titanium bezel): metal rear cover

    • fēnix® 8 – 47 mm, AMOLED (steel or titanium bezel): metal rear cover

    As you can see, Garmin has always been very precise in its labeling—publishing false specifications on an official site could trigger legal consequences. Over the past two generations, all Sapphire Editions are clearly labeled as having a titanium rear cover, while other versions are marked as steel or metal rear covers. No matter what specific material “metal rear cover” refers to, it is definitely not titanium—otherwise, why wouldn’t Garmin just say titanium?

    Now with the Fenix 8 generation, all versions are labeled uniformly as metal rear cover. Do you still believe Garmin used titanium here? This kind of material downgrade seems quite unreasonable.

  • 0 4 days ago

    Good morning,

    Knowing titanium is 45% lighter than steel.
    and
    comparing the weights of the cases of the last Amoled 51mm watches:

    Sources: Garmin site (the French version)

    Epix Pro 51mm Sapphire Titanium: 60 g  (titanium rear cover) https://www.garmin.com/fr-FR/p/884088/#specs
    Fenix 8 51mm Gorilla Steel:  74g         (metal rear cover)     https://www.garmin.com/fr-FR/p/1228171/pn/010-02905-00/#specs
    Fenix 8 51mm Sapphire Titanium: 64g     (metal rear cover)     https://www.garmin.com/fr-FR/p/1228171/pn/010-02905-21/#specs
    Tactix 8 51mm Sapphire Titanium: 64g     (titanium rear cover) https://www.garmin.com/fr-FR/p/1828641/#specs

    There is no difference between Tactix and F8 Titanium ?... Hummmm...
    (Knowing steel is a "metal" and titanium is a "metal" so the wording works for both alloys.)
    From that, I can assume the F8 Titanium has in fact the same rear cover as the Tactix 8. No? Same weight on both cases.
    (If the rear cover of the Fenix Titanium was in steel, its case should be heavier, no ?
    So despite the fact it is specified "metal" the rear cover should be titanium on the Fenix 8 51mm Sapphire and not steel (heavier).)

    (Now weighting my F8 titanium 51mm on my kitchen scale I got 60g.... and it needs to be cleaned, sorry...)

  • 0 3 days ago in reply to NemoSandman

    The only explanation I can think of is that by stating "metal" they can use both titanium or stainless steel depending on their stocks. Can make things easier to manage if there are delivery or shipment issues. Happens all the time in the industry.