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Getting Started With the tactix 8 - Solar

If you are setting up a tactix® 8 - Solar 51mm or tactix® 8 - Solar Elite 51mm watch watch for the first time, the following steps walk you through the process to help you get the most out of it.

Setting up a tactix 8 - Solar Watch

When powering on the tactix 8 - Solar watch for the first time, you will be prompted to configure your user setting and preferences. These settings can be changed at any time.

Power on the tactix 8 - Solar watch by holding LIGHT (upper-left button).
Learn About the Touchscreen and Buttons
Upper-left button
Press to illuminate the screen.
Quickly press twice to turn the flashlight on or off (Using the LED Flashlight).
Hold for three seconds to turn on the device.
Hold for two seconds to view the controls menu (Controls).
Hold for five seconds to request assistance (Requesting Assistance).
Middle-left button
From the watch face, press to view the notification center (Viewing Notifications).
Press to scroll through the menus or data screens.
From the watch face, hold to access the main menu.
Hold to access a contextual menu, if one is available in that part of the user interface.
Lower-left button
From the watch face, press to scroll through the glances list (Viewing Glances).
Press to scroll through the menus or data screens.
Hold to view the music controls (Listening to Music).
Upper-right button
Press to choose an option in a menu.
From the watch face, press to open the apps and activities menu (Apps and Activities).
Press to start or stop an activity (Starting an Activity).
Hold to open the voice command feature (Using Voice Commands).
Lower-right button
Press to return to the previous screen.
During an activity, press to record a lap, rest, or advance to the next workout step.
Hold to view a list of your recently used apps.
Touchscreen Functions
Enabling and Disabling the Touchscreen
To temporarily enable or disable the touchscreen, hold DOWN (lower-left button) and START (upper-right button).
To enable or disable the touchscreen during general use, hold MENU (middle-left button), select Watch Settings > Display & Brightness > Touch, and select an option.
For touchscreen settings during sleep or activities, hold MENU (middle-left button), select Watch Settings > Focus Modes.
Tap to choose an option in a menu.
Hold to view the menu.
Hold the watch face data to open the glance or feature.
NOTE: This feature is not available on all watch faces.
From the watch face, swipe down to view the notification center.
From the watch face, swipe up to scroll through the glances list.
Swipe up or down to scroll through the menus.
Swipe right to return to the previous screen.
Cover the screen with your palm to return to the watch face and turn down the screen brightness.
Choose your language by scrolling through the list using UP (middle-left button) and DOWN (lower-left button), press START (upper-right button) to select the language.
Pair the watch to your smartphone with the Garmin Connect™ app (optional).
NOTE: Paring the watch with Garmin Connect will also register the watch.
Learn More About Bluetooth Pairing
Why pair to a phone? Learn more about Connected Features.
Need more help pairing? These instructions will help with Pairing Your Smartphone to Your Device.
Having other issues? See: Garmin Connect App Bluetooth Troubleshooting.
Proceed through the onscreen prompts to select your preferences and user settings.
Set up the Activity Menu by selecting your favorites (optional).
Learn How to Set Your Favorite Activities
Press START (upper-right button) to access the Activity Menu.
Use UP (middle-left button) and DOWN (lower-left button) to scroll through the list of available activity types.
Press START to select each activity you wish to use.
Select Done when finished.