The most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever 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 application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets 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 service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
