Fenix 8 sequence: Has Garmin pushed pricing too far? – Uplaza

We noticed at present the official unveiling of the Garmin Fenix 8 sequence, Fenix E and Enduro 3 earlier at present. You’ll be able to test all of them out on Garmin’s web site. Whereas these new choices carry just a few upgrades to the desk, additionally they include a value improve that has caught our consideration.

To recap, the enhancements just about boil right down to barely bigger shows for some fashions, the gadgets are a bit thinner, they’ve a dive ranking and improved water-proofing of the buttons, together with longer battery life. Additionally, you now get Garmin Share assist, a brand new coaching function known as Exercise Benefit and a Course and Climate Particular Race Predictor. So some good upgrades however not likely something revolutionary.

Value factors: A noticeable shift

What’s barely worrying, although, is the pricing. The brand new Fenix 8 sequence begins at $1,000 for the bottom mannequin, marking a $200 improve from the entry-level Fenix 7 Professional.

MIP (Reminiscence-in-Pixel) followers have been thrilled the corporate opted to retain that show choice. Sadly, the value hike is most evident within the fashions that includes MIP screens.

In contrast to the Fenix 7 Professional sequence, which provided non-sapphire show choices, the Fenix 8 MIP fashions all include sapphire shows, which provides $100 to the associated fee. This implies, essentially the most reasonably priced Fenix 8 with a MIP show—the 47mm Photo voltaic mannequin—begins at $1,100. Yikes!

For these fascinated with AMOLED shows, the Fenix 8 AMOLED variations are priced $100 larger than their Epix Professional Gen 2 counterparts. Which isn’t as unhealthy. But it surely’s nonetheless a value hike.

I keep in mind a few years again when the Forerunner 955 was launched. What impressed me was that, regardless of the upgrades, Garmin stored its pricing equivalent to the Forerunner 945. And it prompted me to improve my watch. Maybe the corporate has reconsidered this technique and is changing into extra aggressive in pricing?

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Retailing for $900, you could possibly even say that the Enduro 3 is now the price range mannequin! However with a single 51mm diameter dimension, you want enormous wrists to put on that one. So it’s clearly not for everybody.

After all, there’s additionally the Fenix E which begins at $800. However this mannequin makes use of an older coronary heart fee sensor, lacks just a few options and is just out there with an AMOLED show. Plus it doesn’t provide a MIP variant.

Availability: Various ready instances

The provision of the brand new Fenix and Enduro fashions varies considerably:

• Fenix 8 47mm AMOLED: 1-3 enterprise days
• Fenix 8 43mm and 51mm AMOLED: 2-3 weeks
• Fenix 8 47mm and 51mm Photo voltaic MIP: 5-8 weeks
• Fenix E 47mm AMOLED: 3-5 weeks
• Enduro 3: 1-2 weeks

These timelines counsel that some fashions, significantly the MIP variations, could face preliminary provide constraints.

Right here’s a desk with all the small print for the Fenix vary.

Implications

So what are we to make of all of this? The elevated pricing of the Fenix 8 sequence could lead some shoppers to think about alternate options. Alternatively, earlier era fashions just like the Fenix 7 Professional and Epix Professional Gen 2 sequence ought to see some good value reductions, providing good worth for individuals who don’t want the most recent and best machine.

And let’s not neglect. Regardless of the upper costs, Garmin watches are recognized for his or her sturdiness and complete function units. For these prioritizing a top-tier multisport watch, the funding could also be justifiable. No matter Garmin watch you purchase, you may relaxation assured it would serve you reliably for a few years. However you do must have deep pockets.

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