The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view 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 vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
