This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
