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Questions about new Fenix 8

net1994
5 months ago

Finally, after waiting almost 3 weeks, my F8 is on the way.  I have the Epix 2 non-pro and it's been great.  I don't dive and the voice commands on F8 are laggy/slow from reports.  I can probably use the buttons faster.  But my Epix 2 doesn't have flashlight and that's the main (crazy) reason I got it.  Of course I have the Instinct 2X with a perfectly great flashlight.  Ahh, misguided financial decisions.  I did get a $218 discount with my Blue Cross health insurance.  So thats something.  Then plan to sell my Epix 2 after I'm sure I'll keep the F8.  I don't think I'll even try and use ECG as I don't want to permanently use MFA on my connect account.  My plan is update to the latest firmware first and then do a hard reset on the watch and then do the normal setup

A few things:

1. I've been told by Garmin support (yesterday) that I can use a backup of my Epix to the new F8.  Anyone have luck with this without issues?  Bring credit cards over to garmin pay?   I'd love to just bring over my activities w/ custom data screens and nothing else.

2. For anyone with Epix 2 non-pro, have you found F8 in multiband has more 'accurate' tracks?

3. As with many, I hate the stock F8 watch faces.  There is an Epix 2 Pro watch face just added with firmware, but I hate how Garmin support confirmed that I can't remove leading zeroes for time.  So if it's 9AM, it shows as 09:00AM,  Can anyone recommend digital Epix 2 like watch faces on ICQ store that doesn't tank battery life and is responsive?

4. For those wth the F8 AMOLED, have your initial problems if you got it right after release, been fixed with current firmware updates?

  • 0 5 months ago

    I've had zero issues with the watch so far (albeit I got it 3 weeks ago and the release 11 was stable enough for my use cases: I mostly run and bike with some pilates/yoga here and there). Mine is the 51mm though but still. May it serve you well!

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member 5 months ago

    Mine is working fine. I got the 51mm AMOLED sapphire one almost a month ago, and have not had any issues so far. Enjoy your new device, and keep us posted.

  • 0 5 months ago

    Had exactly the same watch as you.

    For the way I'm using, the only issue I had was Broadcast Heart rate via ANT+ to my Edge 840. However it was the previous firmware before v12.22.

    It took forever to connect and even after successful connection it will just intermittently drop. I then switch it to broadcast as BLE and it has been flawless ever since.

    Also as there is a display indicating on the watch saying it is connected to my Edge 840. Thus I didn't bother to switch back to ANT+ after updating to latest v12.22 firmware.

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to ahduck

    My only connected device is the Tempe sensor I have attached to my shoe.  I'm not sure if it's ANT+ or Bluetooth. But it is the cheapest thing with a garmin logo on it!

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to net1994

    I think sensors connecting to the watch in general should be fine.

    Mine was basically the watch was acting as the sensor. Suspect the ANT+ signal when broadcasting is weak or broken.

    I gotta test it out one of these days. Slight smile

  • 0 5 months ago

    Despite the doom and gloom you see in these forums, remember generally only people come here to find solutions to problems or simply to bag Garmin, I think you’ll be happy overall. One thing I wouldn’t do is simply restore your Epix settings to the watch. Far better to take the time to set up your watch from scratch stepping through each menu. There are many differences that you’ll miss if you simply restore. 

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to Dr Phil

    Absolutely this!  The only thing I'm worried about is the reported display being way too dark (if not unreadable) in low light environments) that so many report.  But in those very long threads, others report they are on the same firmware and not having the issue.  The other issue I can see is just straight up hating the watch faces.  I really don't want to buy on on ICQ.  Yikes.

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member 5 months ago in reply to net1994

    Here is mine in complete darkness...

  • 0 5 months ago in reply to Former Member

    Would you say it's hard to see in the dark?  If you had the epix 2, is it darker in the same situation?

  • Former Member
    0 Former Member 5 months ago in reply to net1994

    That picture is in complete darkness. The watch face is brighter than that in low light, and the workout screens are even brighter. I can see it fine in any lighting conditions, and if I was in total darkness, I would probably be sleeping... lol