FrontRow Tech LLC quickly shipped my Garmin Tactix® 8 Applied Ballistics Solar Elite Premium Watch. Great service. 5-stars 25-May-2025: UPDATE: Average Skin Temperature works: 15.31 Software Release. Changed review from 4-stars to 5-stars. 23-March-2025: UPDATE: Average Skin Temperature Does Not Work: 19-March-2025, I contacted David, at Garmin. He mentioned this is a known issue; and, a firmware is being worked on to resolve this issue. The ETA release for the firmware is May 2025. My watch has the latest firmware: 13.71. I reset my watch and Garmin Connect. To date, 22-March-2025, the Average Skin Temperature doesn’t work after the reset of the watch and the Connect application on my iPhone 13. Some operators have this problem, and others don’t. According to David, I’m the eighth caller experiencing this problem. If the May 2025 firmware resolves the skin temperature issue, I will update my Star-rating to 5. 31-March-2025: I am going to the firing range to test the Elite Applied Ballistics, which is one of the reasons I purchased this watch. The Elite License is set up, and I anticipate it will work well when I discharge my long arm down-range. - Display is bright and easy to read under the sun and low light settings. The backlight is great for dark settings. (My display setting is 10%.) - Rucking is a new application, which I always wanted with my Garmin Instinct 2X Solar Tactical Watch; because, I carrying a tennis backpack whenever I walk to and from the tennis courts; and, I always wanted the weight of my tennis backpack to be factored into my Walk Activities. The Tactix 8 satisfies my want; hence, now, I’m able to factor in the weight of my tennis backpack into my Walk Activities. - I like the new ECG feature. It’s easy to use. - I also purchased the Tactix 8 for my SCUBA diving trip to the Channel Islands this coming Summer 2025; hence, I will update this review after my first dive. I already took it swimming today, 20-Feb-2025, and no leaks. The Swimming Activity was accurate and helpful for my tennis cross-training. - Phone connectivity works great — though, I don’t use these features when I play tennis nor when I am in HIIT mode. The watch piggy-backs off my iPhone. It doesn’t have its own LTE Cellular component like my Apple Watch Ultra. - I am taking aviation classes; hence, I will use the Tactix 8 as a back-up flight aid. I will update this review after I use the Aviation Application. - The color of the watch casing looks lighter than the Tactix 7. - The GPS seems to be more sensitive; because, I’m able to get GPS indoors — unlike the Tactix 7 Pro Ballistics and my Instinct 2X Solar Tactical watches. - Navigation is visually appealing with the colored maps, and navigation is accurate — I did a TrackBack without any problems, such as, but not limited to, navigation lag. Recalculation in NYC (Manhattan) took place quickly — seconds. - Solar charging panel appears to be bigger than the Tactix 7, but I have not researched my assertion — bottom line: the solar charging works great. I will do more tests and update this review if I notice any problems. The watch comes with a charging cable, booklets, and a black silicone strap. The Tactix 7 Applied Ballistics Pro came with a nylon strap and black silicone strap. Check 6! /s/ Alfonso Faustino
