A rugged tactical update and a new focus on young golfers headline a busy drop from the brand
Garmin has announced a major expansion of its specialist wearable lineups, unveiling three new devices across its tactical and golf categories.
Headlining the drop is the Tactix 8 Cerakote Edition, a new version of its rugged Fenix 8 alternative.
Though it doesn’t offer the LTE and inReach features of the Fenix 8 Pro (which we expect to trickle out to the line later in 2026), the latest iteration features a ceramic-polymer finish, a material typically used on firearms and industrial equipment.
This coating is baked onto the titanium bezel to enhance abrasion and corrosion resistance, making it a finish that evolves and becomes more refined as it’s worn, giving each watch a unique look over time.
As you would expect, it also retains the high-end specs of the standard Tactix 8—including a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, sapphire lens, and built-in LED flashlight—but adds the distinct Slate Grey or Olive Drab aesthetic. It’s available now for $1,599.99/£1,379.99.
A new focus on the fairway
Perhaps the more interesting addition, however, is the Approach J1—Garmin’s first GPS golf watch designed specifically for juniors.
Advertisement
Priced at $299.99/£309.99, it features a lightweight design, a 1.2-inch AMOLED screen, and one of the brand’s own ComfortFit straps. It gamifies the sport for younger players with tee-off guidance, ‘personal par’ scoring, and club selection tips that evolve as their skills improve.
(Credit: Garmin)
There’s also—mercifully—a pace-of-play timer to help kids understand the game’s etiquette, and 15 hours of GPS tracking available from a full charge.
Rounding out the golf launch is the Approach G82, the latest in the brand’s handheld GPS/launch monitor hybrid devices. Similar to previous editions, it features a large 5-inch high-resolution touchscreen—but, crucially, this latest version introduces new putting metrics to help improve consistency on the green. Ideal for warm-ups.
For Garmin Golf members, the device also supports high-res aerial imagery and offers 25 hours of battery in GPS mode (8 hours in radar mode) and retails for $599.99/£519.99.
The Wareable take
This launch is a classic example of Garmin’s ability to defend its territory by going deeper into niches than its rivals. The Tactix 8’s baked-on ceramic Cerakote finish is a high-end touch that appeals to the tactical crowd who value hardware that can take a beating and still look better for it.
Advertisement
As we said earlier, though, the Approach J1 release is a more significant move for the long-term.
By creating a dedicated “Junior” wearable, Garmin is acknowledging that kids don’t just need a smaller watch—they need a different interface that teaches them the rules and rhythm of the sport. In a way, we’re surprised it’s taken the brand this long to deliver it.
The price makes it a serious investment for a child’s hobby, but, for young golfers who are all about it, it offers a level of data-driven independence that something like an Apple Watch can’t match.
