The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £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 receive a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply 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 place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location 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 easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides 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 plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
