Garmin Fenix 8 Users Report Crashes During Cold Water Plunges

Earlier this week, TechRadar released its review of the Garmin Fenix 8, where I described it as "rugged, expensive perfection" and one of the best Garmin watches ever made. In the review, I mentioned that I hadn't tested the new Dive Mode yet due to my lack of diving experience; instead, the device was to be handed off to a recreational diver for further evaluation of that feature.

Unfortunately, this exact mode is causing problems for many users. A reader informed TechRadar that numerous posters on Garmin’s official forums and several Reddit threads have reported issues with their Fenix 8 when submerged in cold water. One poster specifically noted, "My Fenix 8 AMOLED 47mm consistently crashes when the water temperature drops below 8°C. This is significant where I live, as water temperatures often fall below that."

Another user highlighted a regulatory aspect: "In Europe, dive instruments must be tested down to 0°C to be market-ready. It's surprising to encounter this problem in a watch advertised to operate in negative temperatures. I'm debating whether this is a software safety feature that could be resolved in an update or if I should consider returning the watch."

While the issue appears to be a temporary crash rather than permanent damage, as all individuals reported similar experiences, it is still concerning. According to the Garmin Fenix 8 owner's manual, the underwater operating temperature is listed as 0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F).

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