The newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers 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 additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
