Garmin Fenix 8

[mobula]

The Fenix 8 should be an excellent Recreational dive computer. It has the same basic dive App as the Garmin Descent MK3 but limited to 40m... past 40m the the screen turns red to warn the diver they're beyond rec dive limits.
Looks like it's a great option.
In a few months I will be passing on my Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar to my son and treating myself to the Fenix 8. It should make a good backup to my Perdix or even a good primary while doing Caribbean vacation diving.

So, it really stops recording below 40 m? I think think is just marketing…. I am using Epix Pro and Descent Mk1. I would like to have OLED in my dive computer as well. With this limitation I don‘t switch to Fenix 8. Descent 4…..?

 

[tonsofquestions]

The descent Mk3 already has an OLED display.
Which is not to say you shouldn't wait for the Mk4, just that you can already get what you want today.

 

[Paul M]

So, it really stops recording below 40 m? I think think is just marketing…. I am using Epix Pro and Descent Mk1. I would like to have OLED in my dive computer as well. With this limitation I don‘t switch to Fenix 8. Descent 4…..?

I have no idea if the Fenix 8 dive activity Stops recording data past 40m but if it no longer displays any current dive metrics then it's rather useless. It's simply not meant to be used past 40m. It's still good enough for just about every recreational diver on most dives.

 

[mlindgren]

Hi folks,
Newbie diver here (currently doing PADI Open Water Diver classes). I recently bought a Fenix 8 primarily for other sports, but the diving mode is a nice touch as I'm starting to get into diving. However, I noticed that on the Dive Warnings page in the Fenix 8 manual, it says "This device should not be used as a sole dive computer."

Does anyone know why Garmin doesn't recommend using the Fenix 8 as a sole dive computer? Is it just a liability thing, or does it lack required functionality that a purpose-built dive computer would provide? The only major difference I can see is that it doesn't have any support for air integration, but again, I'm new to this so I could be missing something.

Thanks!

 

[Belzelbub]

Does anyone know why Garmin doesn't recommend using the Fenix 8 as a sole dive computer? Is it just a liability thing, or does it lack required functionality that a purpose-built dive computer would provide? The only major difference I can see is that it doesn't have any support for air integration, but again, I'm new to this so I could be missing something.

I suspect that’s the reason. I’ve seen similar warnings in other manuals. The manual is suggesting you use a backup. A backup dive computer is a good idea, but you won’t be alone if you don’t have one. The vast majority of divers just have one.

 

[SKS22]

Most computer manuals say to use a backup. In that respect I think Garmin is following the market.

Nobody I know dives with two computers on recreational group\buddy dives, but we do plan our dives, know the max depth of the dive site, have watches, remember our tables, and stay reasonably close together.

But when I dive alone I use two computers.

 

[Benno2]

I've been using the Fenix 8 since September 12th, I upgraded my Epix Gen 2 for one.
I use Garmin for a lot of activity tracking, and bringing rec. diving data into the sphere made sense for me, I absolutely love the device.
Admittedly I've only used it for diving 7 times (4 in a quarry, 3 in a pool), I bought a Mk2i to try but found it too bulky for everyday wear.

 

[MBinDC]

If anyone is willing to share their experience in diving with their Fenix as a primary dive computer, I'd love to hear about it. (I've got an Oceanic Veo 4.0, but am planning to do a week of diving with that in my pocket while I dive using the Fenix.)

 

[spatty99]

The Fenix dives just like all of the Descent watches. Although it doesn't have quite as many extensive dive features, like dive view maps, more limited dive data field customization, no AI, etc.

However, the core software was completely redesigned and it is still exceptionally buggy (battery drain issues, random crashes, functionality problems, etc.) even a few months after initial release and several firmware updates.

I tried the Fenix 8 a few months and went back to the Mk3i.