The most recent version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
