This most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, 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 edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
