Can you recommand switching to Fenix 8 ?

Garmin uses vector based map rendering which allows for street names, POIs to be dynamically drawn onto maps. Coros uses raster based tile rendering (i.e. just rendering static images) which is dramatically less CPU intensive.

Garmin's perceived slowness may not be memory bound, but rather CPU bound due to the computation needed to render a certain level of detail. Im not as confident as declaring it a swapping issue rather than a driver or code efficiency issue at this stage. I'd need access to the code anyhow and we don't have that.

If you want to speed it up a little, switch to less detail and turn shading off.

Anyway, back to the topic. The moment you outsource the question "guys, should I buy the new thing?", then straight up the answer should be an unequivocable NO! Or at least NOT YET!

The fact that you're asking means that you don't have a clear understanding of your use-case or whether the new thing will satisfy it. It also hints that you're looking to purchase for a bit of a dopamine bump and that almost always ends up putting you in a pretty dark place of regret. Weeks or even days after the purchase when the feeling wears off.

Ride out the feeling and enjoy owning your current thing.

I will not buy Fenix 8 because I don't care about the new smartwatch features, having microphone and speaker, or diving features. I had high hopes that map and navigation features would improve, but from what I see these features have regressed and become even less usable than they were in Fenix 7. 

Enduro 3 would be a much better value for me, but I wouldn't buy that either because of  concerns about GPS accuracy (there is a long thread about that) and similar usability issues with map and navigation. Also, I'd really prefer an AMOLED display this time. My eyes are getting old and I have more difficulty reading low contrast MIP display.

For now I've switched to Suunto but will also consider Coros in the future. These brands offer a much better value for what I really need from the watch. I could easily afford $1000+ Fenix 8 but I don't want to give my money to Garmin because of how poor the software quality is and because of how little care Garmin shows for the user experience. 

I was a long time Suunto user and moved to Garmin years ago for some of the "advanced features".  After struggling with the Fenix 8 for months I have gone back to Suunto and, I must say, if you dont need routing on the fly, navigation is an absolute joy compared to the Fenix.

This is my first Fenix... and I am pleased with it. I upgraded to the Fenix 8 51mm AMOLED from an Instinct 2X Solar, (also 51mm) and have not found anything that is lacking to this point. I knew the battery life would be somewhat less, (Instinct 2X was borderline everlasting with the solar) I get maybe 12 days depending on activity level, (if the gauge is accurate,) but haven't went below 60% charge yet, (and that took 4 days.)

(And I use the "always on" screen feature that simply dims the display, it doesn't black it out.)

I have also not experienced any of the "bugs" that have plagued other users as of yet: it has functioned flawlessly through all the different workouts. 

Do you use custom power modes? Sleep watch face? Battery saver? Palm to cover screen? 

Those are things I have issues with. When I run, I have a power mode that keeps AOD on, when I walk, I have a power mode than turns off the display, but it didn't work on the AMOLED. 

Somehow, the power mode display works on the Solar model. Palm to cover is bugged on both watches. Sleep watch face was bugged on both, until I tried the beta and they removed the battery saver during sleep completely... can't bug if it's not there eh. 

Glad yours works for you. Nice as the watch is, it's still buggy for me. And maps are ridiculously slow on the AMOLED. 

silentvoyager said:

For now I've switched to Suunto but will also consider Coros in the future.

I guess we've now also got to consider that these will be 145% more expensive soon if you're in the US.

Both are Chinese owned.

gaijin said:

Apparently I am not allowed to respond to you - my response was deleted by Moderators.

The post you are responding to was not posted by me.  It was originally posted by @gaijindownvoter, but that user has changed their username to gaijinisaturd which I find directly insulting.

But they are allowed to continue their trolling while my response is deleted.

Sorry you are being confused by all this.

HTH

Off topic but worth mentioning here: being critical about Garmin and its products is not equal to trolling. I think it is time for you (and many others) to understand this.

jasondavis said:

I was a long time Suunto user and moved to Garmin years ago for some of the "advanced features".  After struggling with the Fenix 8 for months I have gone back to Suunto and, I must say, if you dont need routing on the fly, navigation is an absolute joy compared to the Feni

What device do you use? Does it have onboard music?