Garmin fenix 8 vs Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black

Summary

This video compares the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 8 across key areas such as GPS accuracy, heart rate tracking, track mode functionality, battery life, and usability. The Apple Watch Ultra excels in lifestyle features, offering smooth GPS tracking, a seamless user experience, and advanced fitness options. However, it faces occasional software glitches, especially with the action button. The Garmin Fenix 8 is a top choice for dedicated athletes, offering more reliable GPS in tough conditions and superior heart rate tracking when paired with a chest strap. Both watches have their strengths, catering to different types of users based on their fitness and lifestyle priorities.

Takeaways

• 😀 Garmin Fenix 8 offers superior GPS performance in open areas like piers and highways, but struggles near large buildings and scaffolding.
• 😀 Apple Watch Ultra 2 uses Apple Maps data to smooth out GPS inaccuracies, especially in urban environments with tall buildings, leading to more consistent track performance.
• 😀 The Apple Watch Ultra 2 features a dedicated track mode that instantly locks onto the track and remains precise, unlike the Garmin Fenix 8 which requires manual mode switching.
• 😀 In environments with a clear sky (like the Cayman Islands), both watches performed exceptionally well with very minor GPS discrepancies, showcasing their high accuracy in ideal conditions.
• 😀 The Garmin Fenix 8 struggles more in challenging environments like scaffolding, where its GPS track appears more erratic, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 provides a smoother path with less deviation.
• 😀 Heart rate tracking on both devices is generally accurate, but Garmin’s heart rate data can be less consistent due to sensor issues and movement, especially without a chest strap.
• 😀 Apple Watch Ultra 2 offers more reliable heart rate tracking when worn with a properly tightened band, while the Garmin can show fluctuations during intense workouts or hot conditions.
• 😀 The Garmin Fenix 8 excels with a built-in, easy-to-use flashlight, which is highly favored for convenience in low-light situations. The Apple Watch Ultra 2's flashlight is harder to activate and not as bright.
• 😀 The Apple Watch Ultra 2 occasionally faces software issues, such as the action button not starting a workout, which can be frustrating during races. The Garmin Fenix 8 is more reliable in this regard.
• 😀 While both watches are great for fitness tracking, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 is better suited for a lifestyle device, offering additional smart features like notifications and apps alongside fitness capabilities.
• 😀 The Garmin Fenix 8 is ideal for serious athletes and outdoor adventurers due to its superior battery life, ruggedness, and advanced tracking features, while the Apple Watch Ultra 2 strikes a balance between fitness and daily wearability.

Q & A

How do the GPS performances of the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 8 compare in different environments?

The Apple Watch Ultra tends to have smoother GPS data, especially in areas with large buildings or obstacles, as it uses Apple Maps data to smooth the tracks. In contrast, the Garmin Fenix 8 performs better in open areas, like near water, but struggles in complex environments such as scaffolding or city streets.

What feature does the Apple Watch Ultra have that significantly improves its GPS tracking on tracks?

The Apple Watch Ultra features Track Mode, which instantly detects when you're at a track and aligns with the correct lane. This allows for accurate GPS tracking on tracks, making it ideal for runners who want precise lane tracking.

How does the Garmin Fenix 8 perform in areas with a lot of scaffolding or buildings?

The Garmin Fenix 8 struggles in areas with scaffolding or buildings, as seen when the GPS tracks jump in and out of buildings. This is less of an issue for the Apple Watch Ultra, which uses data smoothing to provide more consistent results in such environments.

What is the heart rate tracking difference between the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 8?

The Apple Watch Ultra generally provides more accurate heart rate data, especially when worn with a tightly adjusted band. However, the Garmin Fenix 8 also offers good heart rate tracking but might be less accurate without a chest strap, which is recommended for more precise readings.

What is the main advantage of the Garmin Fenix 8 over the Apple Watch Ultra in terms of convenience?

The Garmin Fenix 8 has a built-in flashlight that can be easily activated with a double tap, making it very convenient for low-light situations. In comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra's flashlight requires navigating through menus, which makes it less accessible.

How does the GPS tracking of the Apple Watch Ultra compare to the Garmin Fenix 8 when there are minimal obstructions, such as in the Cayman Islands?

In areas with minimal obstructions, like the Cayman Islands, both the Apple Watch Ultra and Garmin Fenix 8 perform excellently. The GPS tracks are almost identical, with no noticeable discrepancies, as there are no buildings or obstacles to interfere with the signal.

What software issue has the reviewer encountered with the Apple Watch Ultra, and how does it affect workout tracking?

The reviewer has experienced an issue with the action button on the Apple Watch Ultra, where it sometimes fails to start a workout properly, resulting in missed data. This has occurred multiple times, including during races, and affects the reliability of workout tracking.

What is the key reason the reviewer prefers the Garmin Fenix 8 for their Strava workouts?

The reviewer prefers the Garmin Fenix 8 for Strava workouts because of its more reliable and easier-to-use start/stop functions. The Garmin's workout tracking is more trustable, especially compared to the occasional software issues with the Apple Watch Ultra.

What are the advantages of the Apple Watch Ultra as a lifestyle device compared to the Garmin Fenix 8?

The Apple Watch Ultra is praised for being an all-day lifestyle device, offering seamless integration with daily tasks like health tracking, messaging, and apps. It also provides great fitness tracking but excels in its versatility for day-to-day use, unlike the Garmin Fenix 8, which is primarily focused on fitness and outdoor activities.

Why might the Garmin Fenix 8 be a better option for serious fitness enthusiasts or athletes?

The Garmin Fenix 8 is a better option for serious athletes because of its advanced fitness tracking capabilities, including multi-sport tracking, better integration with third-party devices, and more detailed workout metrics. It also performs better in outdoor environments with less interference from buildings or obstructions.