u/Able-Mammoth321

I’m trying to decide between the Garmin Forerunner 970 and the Garmin Fenix 8, both in 47mm, would likely get the Sapphire amoled versions.

I can get both at a pretty heavy discount, but the Fenix 8 would still be about $170–$200 more than the Forerunner 970. I’m trying to figure out if the Fenix is actually worth spending more for in real-world use.

My main uses would be:

• Hiking, including longer Adirondack hikes (doing the 46 peaks)
• Golf GPS/score tracking
• Gym/workout tracking
• Daily health tracking
• Sleep tracking
• General smartwatch use

I’m coming from an Apple Watch Series 8, so one of my biggest concerns is comfort, weight, and whether the Fenix 8 feels too bulky or annoying for daily wear/sleep. I know the Fenix has the more rugged/premium build and better battery, but I’m trying to figure out whether that actually matters day to day or if the Forerunner 970 gives a very similar experience in a lighter package.

For anyone who has used both, or chose one over the other:

• Is the Fenix 8 noticeably heavier or bulkier for 24/7 wear?
• Is it comfortable enough to sleep with?
• Does the Fenix feel meaningfully more premium/rugged in a way that justifies the extra cost?
• Are there real-world hiking, golf, or outdoor advantages with the Fenix 8 that I would actually notice?
• Would you spend the extra $170–$200 for the Fenix 8 over the Forerunner 970?
• Any regrets either way?

I’m not really considering the Fenix 8 Pro because I don’t think I need the satellite/LTE features. Just trying to decide whether the regular Fenix 8 is worth paying more for over the Forerunner 970.

Would love real-world opinions, especially from anyone who wears these 24/7.

I’ve been using an Apple Watch since the Series 2 and currently have a Series 8. I really like the Apple Watch overall, but battery life has become a bigger issue for me, especially for hiking.

I’m working on hiking the Adirondack 46 peaks, and I want something with true all-day battery life, strong GPS, reliable tracking, and ideally good maps/navigation. My Series 8 just does not feel like the right tool for longer mountain days.

My main uses are:
Hiking and outdoor tracking
Golf scoring, distances, and basic golf stats
Gym/workout tracking
General smartwatch features day to day

The watches I’m considering are:
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Garmin Forerunner 970
Garmin Fenix 8, although it may be more than I want to spend
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro / Amazfit Ultra 2

I’m intrigued by Garmin because of the battery life, hiking features, maps, GPS, and golf functionality. I’m also curious about Amazfit because the value seems strong, but I’m not sure if the user interface, accuracy, ecosystem, and overall experience are really there yet compared to Apple or Garmin.

For people who switched from Apple Watch to Garmin or Amazfit: did you end up happy you switched, or did you miss the Apple Watch more than expected?

For people who stayed with Apple and went to the Ultra: was the battery and outdoor tracking enough, or do you still feel like Garmin is the better tool for hiking?

What would I miss most if I left Apple Watch? Notifications? Siri? Apple Pay? App integration? Ease of use? Health features?

I’m trying to stay somewhat budget-conscious, so the Fenix 8 is likely not really on the table unless it is truly worth stretching for. I mostly want better battery life, strong hiking/outdoor tracking, solid golf features, and a good enough daily experience that I don’t feel like I downgraded too much from Apple.

Would love to hear from anyone who has made a similar decision: Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin vs Amazfit. Would switching be a big upgrade for my use case, or would I regret leaving Apple?

I’ve been using an Apple Watch since the Series 2 and currently have a Series 8. I really like the Apple Watch overall, but battery life has become a bigger issue for me, especially for hiking.

I’m working on hiking the Adirondack 46 peaks, and I want something with true all-day battery life, strong GPS, reliable tracking, and ideally good maps/navigation. My Series 8 just does not feel like the right tool for longer mountain days.

My main uses are:
Hiking and outdoor tracking
Golf scoring, distances, and basic golf stats
Gym/workout tracking
General smartwatch features day to day

The watches I’m considering are:
Apple Watch Ultra 3
Garmin Forerunner 970
Garmin Fenix 8, although it may be more than I want to spend
Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro / Amazfit Ultra 2

I’m intrigued by Garmin because of the battery life, hiking features, maps, GPS, and golf functionality. I’m also curious about Amazfit because the value seems strong, but I’m not sure if the user interface, accuracy, ecosystem, and overall experience are really there yet compared to Apple or Garmin.

For people who switched from Apple Watch to Garmin or Amazfit: did you end up happy you switched, or did you miss the Apple Watch more than expected?

For people who stayed with Apple and went to the Ultra: was the battery and outdoor tracking enough, or do you still feel like Garmin is the better tool for hiking?

What would I miss most if I left Apple Watch? Notifications? Siri? Apple Pay? App integration? Ease of use? Health features?

I’m trying to stay somewhat budget-conscious, so the Fenix 8 is likely not really on the table unless it is truly worth stretching for. I mostly want better battery life, strong hiking/outdoor tracking, solid golf features, and a good enough daily experience that I don’t feel like I downgraded too much from Apple.

Would love to hear from anyone who has made a similar decision: Apple Watch Ultra vs Garmin vs Amazfit. Would switching be a big upgrade for my use case, or would I regret leaving Apple?