Cell service in Central New York is a bit of a running joke. Despite being a fairly developed state, there are vast swaths that don’t have any coverage: If I make a right out of my driveway, I don’t have service for three miles. If I go left, I don’t have service for about six miles. Sometimes it’s nice to be unreachable, but it does pose safety concerns at times.
Because of this, I jumped at the opportunity to test out Garmin’s new Quatix 8 smartwatch. The new watch features Garmin’s InReach communicator built-in, which allows you to send messages, and an SOS, anywhere you have a clear view of the sky. It also has a host of navigation features and other goodies. Here’s what I found after a few months of wearing the Quatix 8.
First Impressions
For anglers who split their time between bass boat decks, kayak sessions, and backcountry fishing trips, the Quatix 8 may be the most complete fishing smartwatch Garmin has ever built. It blends premium marine navigation tools, fishing-focused features, advanced GPS mapping, and rugged outdoor capability into one wrist-mounted command center. The addition of inReach satellite communication on the Quatix 8 Pro models pushes it beyond a typical fishing watch and into a go-anywhere two-way communications device.
The Quatix 8 feels less like a smartwatch and more like a compact marine electronics hub. The AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode; think bright, adaptive LED) display is exceptionally bright in direct sunlight, while the titanium bezel gives it a premium feel and the sapphire crystal lens is built to survive saltwater abuse, rod holders, tackle boxes, and long days on the water. Garmin also added waterproof buttons that work reliably with wet hands, which is a major improvement for anglers fishing in rough weather or heavy spray. It is available in two sizes; 47 and 51mm bezel. I have the larger.
Where most fishing watches stop at basic GPS tracking and tide data, the Quatix 8 goes much deeper. It can stream boat data directly from compatible Garmin marine electronics, control trolling motors, monitor anchor drift, and even interact with autopilot systems. That level of integration makes it uniquely valuable for anglers already running Garmin equipment on their boats.
Fishing Features
One of the best fishing features is real-time boat data streaming. When paired with compatible Garmin chartplotters/MFDs, the watch can display depth, speed, water temperature, heading, wind information, and other NMEA 2000 boat data directly on your wrist.
The Quatix 8 also integrates with Garmin Force trolling motors, allowing anglers to control steering, anchor lock, and speed directly from the watch. Bass fishermen and kayak anglers will appreciate how convenient this is, allowing them to control their boat without reaching for a separate remote.
Garmin also included safety features that may be beyond that bounds of what a bass angler is likely to encounter, but serve inshore anglers well. The anchor drag alarm is particularly useful for overnight trips or shallow-water anchoring situations. If the boat drifts outside a preset radius, the watch immediately vibrates and sends an alert.
Built-in tide tables and marine navigation tools help anglers better plan feeding windows and adapt to changing conditions on the water. Combined with multi-band GPS and onboard mapping, the Quatix 8 performs more like a compact marine navigator than a traditional fitness watch. I have the tide location set to the bay I used to fish daily; and check it for a sense of nostalgia.
For anglers who like tracking their time on the water, Garmin includes a dedicated fishing activity profile that logs trips, GPS tracks, environmental conditions, and fishing activity. While it may not replace specialized fishing apps for those that already have favorites, it integrates smoothly with Garmin’s other offerings and provides a useful overview of fishing and boating activity.
There’s also a light built-in to the top of the bezel; accessible with a couple pushes of the top button. I found that to be really useful on a number of occasions, lighting my way down to the water or sneaking through the house without bothering anyone.
Staying In Touch
One of the most important additions to the Quatix 8 Pro models is Garmin’s inReach satellite communication technology. This feature alone may justify the upgrade for anglers who regularly venture into remote backcountry waters where cellular service disappears. Using LTE or satellite connectivity, the watch can send two-way text messages, emergency SOS alerts, check-in notifications, and location-sharing updates while providing basic off-grid communication capabilities.
Though I have some pretty fat fingers, I’ve found the Quatix 8’s interface fairly easy to use. Having pre-loaded messages spun up makes check-ins simple, but I was able to tap messages back and forth to my wife when “one last cast” went longer than it should have. I found that InReach was able to contact satellites even when on trout streams with dense overhead cover.
An active inReach subscription is required, but the added safety factor is worth the price — there are many levels available. For kayak anglers, backcountry fishermen, and offshore crews, the ability to trigger an SOS signal directly from the wrist could prove lifesaving during an emergency.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Garmin Quatix 8 is arguably the most advanced fishing smartwatch currently available. It is perfect for anyone that wants to control their boat’s electronics from their wrist, tournament bass fishermen, kayak anglers fishing remote water, or anyone that ventures into the backcountry or offshore. It’s also a great tool for outdoorsmen who spend as much time boating and fishing as they do hiking or training, with health data you’d expect from a smartwatch. If you have Garmin MFDs, trolling motors, and other electronics, you need this on your wrist.
This is my first smartwatch, and it was a big jump from the analog Timex Expedition that typically lives on my wrist. But the interface was friendly enough that I figured out the fishing features, navigation, fitness, and satellite communication functions quickly, and it’s been a constant companion ever since. And the inReach satellite communication abilities provide tremendous peace of mind when venturing beyond cellular coverage. With 14 days of battery life, you can rely on it for a long time.
