The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, 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 orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After 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 comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows 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 safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
