This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant 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. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
