This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text 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 spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support portal. 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 programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
