I called the Garmin Tactix 8 the 'ultimate military watch' in my review, and it's $250 off for Memorial Day

When I tested the Garmin Tactix 8 last month, I described it as a "professional-grade powerhouse that justifies its price tag by offering the most sophisticated tactical toolset currently available in a wearable."

This is a premium smartwatch with an even more premium price tag, and maybe the cost has put you off making the investment. Delay no longer, because this Memorial Day deal means the Garmin Tactix 8 can be snapped up at Best Buy for as little as $1,049.99 (was ~~$1,399.99~~).

That price is for the 47mm version, with the larger 51mm alternative costing $100 more. There's also a super-durable Cerakote model which is discounted by $250. Whichever one you choose, you'll be taking advantage of record-low prices for the 4.5-star smartwatch that is competing for a place in our guide to the best Garmin watches.

Today's best Garmin Tactix 8 deal

The Garmin Tactix 8 sets the standard for tactical smartwatches. It's solidly built, rich in features, and it looks the part.

In my review I said it was "specifically engineered for professional tactical operators and serious rucking enthusiasts who require specialized hardware, such as an Applied Ballistics solver and night-vision compatibility." It's unashamedly built for adventurers and military, and if that's you, you won't be disappointed.

With an exceptional 50-day battery life, class-leading multi-band GPS accuracy, Applied Ballistics, night vision compatibility, and a dedicated rucking profile, the Tactix 8 delivers on every measurable front. I really was hard pressed to find anything negative to say about it.

The Tactix 8 is for elite adventurers who need a tactical smartwatch to support them on their escapades. If that's not you, have a look at our best smartwatches guide and give serious consideration to the Garmin Instinct 3, which offers similar tactical software at a much lower price point.

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Writer, app-hoarder, and professional "low battery" enthusiast. Paul spends his days testing wearables so you don’t have to, and his nights wondering if his sleep tracker is judging him. He’s fascinated by the tech that claims to make us better humans—and if it’s wearable, downloadable, or requires a firmware update, he has thoughts on it.

With over 20 years of experience and a first-class Computer Science degree, Paul has navigated the front lines of the tech and creative industries. His work has been published internationally and appears regularly in Digital Camera World and Creative Bloq.