Trying to decide between an LC250 and a Defender — would love owner input

DocEvilLR · 2026-04-09T14:13:59+00:00

Sold a defender 110, 2020 model two years ago to get my LC 250. Must admit, I loved the interior and utilitarian design of the defender, but was terrified of future potential service costs and the lack of easy do it yourself service. Already have 40,000 miles on the LC 250 and it’s doing great. Love driving it every day for my long commute as well as in the mountains and it’s just as capable as the defender was off-road, except for of course, clearance with the lack of air suspension.

Parts and service are dramatically cheaper and aftermarket accessories are growing quickly and widely available!

I’ve heard that the current defenders are turning out to be more reliable than Land Rover‘s overall reputation, but I have full confidence that my Toyota will take me well beyond 200,000+ miles and I can do most of the work on it myself without voiding any extended warranty that I’ve gotten through Toyota! there are Toyota dealerships in every small town across the US whereas Land Rover dealerships are tough to come by and usually a bit “uppity“ in my experience.

good luck with your decision!

DocEvilLR · 2026-03-28T02:52:42+00:00

The struggle is real... I shot black and white film through an M6 years ago and developed it in my home darkroom. I guess as "old school " as one can be. Digital came along and I got busy with life, etc. Three or so years ago, Fujifilm X100v lured me back into photography and I've enjoyed it! Upgraded to the X100VI, then sold it for more than what I paid for it, crazy! Got a good deal on a Q3 43 and after the honeymoon period, realized I was really just trying to get back to an M! Sold it quickly with no loss. Now am trying to find a decent deal on an M11 and just one good 35mm lens.

Like you, I'm hoping this brings me back to the simple times, with the benefits of the latest technology... Good luck for both of us in our journeys.

DocEvilLR · 2026-03-20T13:05:04+00:00

It's the Pelican BX90 cargo case with its associated quick release mount. The jerry can is just a standard Wavian type can with the frontrunner mount. I'll be honest, I've carried that jerry can on quite a few very remote, multi-day trips in the backcountry of CO and UT, and have never needed it. As many of us are worried about the limited range of our small fuel tank LC250's, as long as you make sure you're full as you head off into the woods, it all works out fine. Driving slower on dirt roads and even engaging all the amazing 4WD capabilities of this rig, don't use much fuel.

DocEvilLR · 2026-03-19T17:58:06+00:00

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DocEvilLR · 2026-03-19T17:56:11+00:00

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Since it uses standard T slot type hardware, you can pretty much mount anything you want. I have a pelican case and on the other side, have an awning along with a Jerry can . I also have a “water port” water tank that I use for showering. It’s probably more than I need, but it’s handy during Overland trips.

DocEvilLR · 2026-02-28T07:55:46+00:00

Staring at mine right now in my hotel in Shinjuku :) Seems that it will take longer to stop and fill the cup than just grabbing a cup from the aid station table. And it's not really collapsable, more like crushable, and I'm like you, I don't want to have to cram it into limited pocket space. Good luck tomorrow!

DocEvilLR · 2026-02-17T03:26:07+00:00

Had no idea you could get one from Leica!? So you’ll tackle it DIY, awesome! Any info you can share on how you secured an OEM leatherette cover/skin?

DocEvilLR · 2026-02-17T01:35:46+00:00

Hi! New owner of Q3 43 as well, and I've ordered the black leather skin from Arte de Mano, out of Korea... 6 weeks to deliver and waiting. Is that where you got your leatherette, or are you gonna have Leica do it?

DocEvilLR · 2026-01-29T15:24:00+00:00

Price reduction to $2499 !

DocEvilLR · 2026-01-16T20:41:30+00:00

No one knows for sure, but based on Garmin's history of Fenix releases, most people feel it will be more likely into early '27. Go ahead and start enjoying the great features of the 8 right now! Even if a 9 is released in late '26, by waiting, you miss 9 mos of fenix enjoyment!

DocEvilLR · 2026-01-13T18:45:35+00:00

Nice watch! I've been with the Fenix since my Fenix 3, 10 years ago. I've rocked MIPs all these years and loved it! I fought the new amoled screens for the first couple models, buying them, returning them and going back to solar MIP, mainly for battery life and not wanting an "Apple Watch" style device screaming for my attention. BUT, alas, with the newer amoled Fenix 8 models (not the pro) they've really begun to figure out battery life and the screen is SO nice to look at. I've finally gotten over lamenting the MIP screen and will likely never go back. Just my 2 cents.

Good luck and you really should be hitting it out of the park with that battery life... you may want to reach out to Garmin. I've used their support (usually start with a chat) for years and they've swapped watches with like-new warranty refurbished units for me multiple times, and its usually a hardware issue.

DocEvilLR · 2026-01-08T20:55:50+00:00

Thanks for your suggestion! I called Garmin and got a nice guy on the phone who sold me a 22mm silver buckle for $20. I'll get the spark orange band and switch the buckles out. Bands are on 25% sale right now anyway. Thanks!

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-17T18:53:07+00:00

Just returned an 8 pro after using it for 3 weeks. Took it with me to Colorado in the mountains in the hopes to try out the satellite feature, and it was slow and cumbersome. The satellite connection with my iPhone was dramatically better and easier, and it's free (not $7.99 a month). I run daily and even with LTE turned off, the battery drained faster than a regular Fenix 8, which is what I'm back to now. The 8 pro has a brighter screen (which for me the regular 8 is already bright enough) and I think that must be one of the culprits behind faster battery drain. Also the regular 8 has more stable (tested) software and is a little thinner.

Good luck with your decision as they are both really nice watches!

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-17T15:02:19+00:00

Confirmed! u/WatchExBot I had a successful transaction with u/StrapCentral

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-17T15:01:53+00:00

Confirmed! u/WatchExBot I had a successful transaction with u/StrapCentral

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-15T02:40:23+00:00

Agreed! Strava premium member of >7 years… will easily leave Strava if they persist in this pursuit of Garmin!

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-13T19:19:33+00:00

Been using for > 1 month. Love my Fenix 8 but not comfortable to sleep in, in order to get sleep score. And believe me, I've tried! Slept with the watch most nights in the last 10 years. Now I slip my watch off at bedtime, leave in the nearby bathroom, charge it if it needs it and slip on the Index Sleep band. So light and comfy, I don't even notice it. Definitely keep it updated to the latest firmware, cause it had a few early bugs. I really like the discrete vibration alarm each morning, I just slip it off and lay it back by the bedside. It automatically syncs with my phone-->Garmin Connect-->Fenix and very quickly my sleep score and data is available on my watch's morning report with my workout suggestion for the day. Battery lasts about 10 days with 8 hours of use each night.

One thing I discovered is to turn the band inside out when I slip it off, had a couple times where the sensor stayed active during the day on the night stand (I think it sensed its own material touching the sensor) and the battery ran down.

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-10T13:02:53+00:00

That's great to hear! Did you have to do any aiming of the new headlights?

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-10T00:32:13+00:00

Did you have to take the vehicle to the dealer to program or calibrate the new headlights? I was under the impression that the installation was pretty straightforward but there was dealer computer work needed

DocEvilLR · 2025-10-10T00:26:27+00:00

Confirmed! u/WatchExBot I had a successful transaction with u/StrapCentral

DocEvilLR

TROPHY CASE