Garmin announced on the 25th that it has released the next-generation tactical smartwatch 'Tactix 8' in the country.
The Tactix 8 features a 1.4-inch high-resolution AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) display that delivers bright and clear graphics. It supports new activities such as rucking, walking with heavy loads, and diving, and its tactical functions have been significantly enhanced. The aviation functions have also been greatly improved, making it useful in all environments including land, sea, and air.
The product boasts a robust yet luxurious design. It features a sleek matte black titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens, providing excellent durability, and a metal sensor guard that protects essential sensors, enhancing practicality.
The Tactix 8 has received certification for the U.S. Military Standard (MIL-STD-810), making it resistant to heat and shock, and has a 4 ATM (40 meters) waterproof rating along with a leak-proof button, ensuring stable performance in underwater environments. Additionally, when paired with compatible smartphones, it allows users to make calls or execute voice commands directly from the wrist via its built-in speaker and microphone, making it highly versatile. The battery performance has also been greatly improved, allowing up to 29 days of use in smartwatch mode.
The Tactix 8 showcases excellent performance in real-world scenarios through various tactical functions. Using the newly added dedicated rucking feature allows for analysis of physical load based on backpack weight. When the backpack weight exceeds 2 kg, the maximum oxygen intake (VO2 Max) recording is automatically deactivated, thereby enhancing the accuracy of fitness measurement.
It also comes with a ballistic calculation feature for long-range shooting. The Ultralight Solver from Applied Ballistics (AB) is pre-installed, enabling more precise shooting, and the AB Quantum app allows for efficient management of ballistic data and target information. Additionally, the Tactix 8 Elite model is equipped with the higher version AB Elite Solver, allowing for advanced ballistic calculations.
The Tactix 8 also supports features optimized for nighttime operations. Notable features include a multi-LED flash light in white and green and a night vision mode that allows users to lower the display brightness to their desired level. Activating the stealth mode enables tracking of distance traveled and biometric data while disabling wireless communication and location data recording, allowing data to be recorded without revealing the location displayed in standard mobile training apps.
The aviation navigation capabilities have also been significantly enhanced. Civilian and military pilots can quickly set navigation to specific locations and waypoints through the 'Direct-To-Navigation' feature. Using the 'Nearest' function enables automatic pathfinding to nearby airports, allowing for quick changes to flight routes. The aviation weather information has also been upgraded, allowing real-time checks of wind, visibility, pressure, and various weather data based on NEXRAD radar, METAR, and TAF. During parachute training, three types of jump master functionalities: HAHO, HALO, and Static are provided, and the 'Dual Positioning' mode allows for simultaneous viewing of MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) and latitude-longitude coordinates on the same screen.
The Tactix 8 supports scuba diving and freediving up to a depth of 40 m and performs strongly underwater. The scuba diving mode automatically records entry and exit points and is equipped with an inclination-compensating electronic compass, providing precise data measurement and stable underwater navigation. The freediving mode offers real-time underwater warnings, timers, and automatic logging of diving locations, providing users with a more efficient diving experience.
Moreover, the Tactix 8 offers terrain maps with contours via its built-in TopoActive maps, and the 'dynamic round trip route' feature allows for automatic route recommendations based on input distances. It also employs multi-band GPS technology for more precise location tracking, and uses SatIQ technology to optimize battery life. By integrating with Garmin Connect, users can easily synchronize new and existing routes for turn-by-turn navigation.
In addition to various operational support functions, it also offers specialized training and extensive monitoring capabilities. Customized strength training plans, real-time stamina tracking, and sport-specific tailored exercise programs enhance users' endurance and physical performance while reducing the risk of injury. Notably, useful training metrics such as endurance scores and maximum oxygen intake enable systematic analysis of exercise performance. Furthermore, it is equipped with a 24-hour health monitoring feature that provides wrist-based blood oxygen saturation measurement (pulse oximeter), body battery energy monitoring, jet lag advisor, advanced sleep monitoring, and nap detection, helping with physical management and recovery. It is compatible with the ECG app, allowing for the detection of signs of atrial fibrillation (AFib).
Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of global consumer product sales, noted, “The Tactix 8 is a GPS tactical smartwatch with premium design and innovative features,” and added, “With enhanced battery performance, precise navigation, and specialized tactical functions for rucking and shooting, it will be useful in various environments across land, sea, and air.”
The Tactix 8 is available for purchase at Garmin Korea's official online store and nationwide Garmin brand shops, with a suggested retail price of 2,090,000 won.