The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone 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 includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
