Garmin Tactix 8 Review

I’ve had a fascination with digital watches since they first hit the market, and yes, that was a long time ago. I still remember buying my first “sports watch,” a Timex Ironman, back in the mid-’80s. It had a light, a stopwatch, and could track eight lap times. That was it. Pretty simple, but I felt like a stud wearing it. Every time a new feature came out, I’d start saving for the next model. Heart rate monitor? Had to have it. Step counter? Had to have it. GPS? Had to have it now. Before long, these watches were packed with dozens of features and required hours of reading and tutorials just to learn how to use them.

I’ve owned an iPhone since the 5 and use an iMac, iPad, and MacBook, so I understand the Apple user interface (UI) well. Still, I resisted buying an Apple Watch for years. It seemed about as un-manly as a watch could get, and it was expensive. But when I learned I could control all the apps on the watch through my phone, I gave in and bought one.

Apples and Oranges

At the time, I had been using a Garmin Instinct Solar, which could run for nearly a month with its built-in solar charger. By comparison, the Apple Watch only lasted 36 hours between charges. That just didn’t cut it, especially during hunting season.

Then, Garmin introduced the tactix 8. It solved every problem I’d had and added even more functionality, all wrapped in a rugged, great-looking design.

The free Garmin Connect app can be downloaded to your phone, allowing you to manage all the watch’s settings and build a personalized dashboard. Mine shows heart rate, intensity minutes, steps and distance, active and resting calories burned, elevation changes (floors), and sleep quality.

The tactix 8 feels like having a full-time personal trainer right on your wrist. There are dozens of built-in workout programs to choose from. As a hunter, I particularly appreciate the hiking, rucking, and HIIT workouts, but no matter what activity you choose, the watch monitors, measures, and manages it all. The system’s core is Garmin’s latest-generation optical heart rate sensor. With multi-wavelength LEDs, it delivers more accurate readings during high-motion activities and across all skin tones. For even greater accuracy, Garmin offers a compatible chest strap, the HRM-Pro ($129.99).

If you’re a golfer, don’t worry. Garmin’s famous golf course database is also included in this tactical watch.

Wearable Solutions

Garmin also partnered with Applied Ballistics to bring advanced shooting data straight to your wrist. The watch can pair with your phone or directly with a laser rangefinder, creating an intuitive, easy-to-read shooting solution. Competitive shooters will be glad to find a dedicated stage timer app, perfect for both practice sessions and real NRL matches.

For me, though, the battery life sealed the deal. The tactix 8 can run for more than two weeks on a single charge with normal use. Even with the GPS running most of the day, I can still get over a week between charges. When it’s time to plug in, the watch fully recharges in about one hour.

This article barely scratches the surface of what this watch can do; there are over 50 applications with multiple subcategories under each. When you pack this much technology into a wristwatch that is water submersible to 100’, it comes with a price, and that price is $1299.  Given my watch buying history, I would be kidding myself to say this is the last timepiece I will ever buy, but I can’t think of one thing the tactix 8 doesn’t excel at.

Garmin does offer dozens of other beautiful watches with a few less features at a lower price, especially if you are not interested in the Applied Ballistics collaboration. The Fenix 8, for example, is very comparable at $799. The Garmin website is extremely user-friendly and will help you find the perfect watch for you.

Final Verdict

The Garmin tactix 8 isn’t designed for everyone, and that’s exactly what makes it special. It’s not meant for office meetings or casual jogs. It’s built for serious users who need reliability, precision, and durability. For hunters, especially those who value stealth, navigation tools, performance data, and rugged construction, this is one of the most capable pieces of gear you can wear.