This latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without 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 dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
