The latest version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link 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 relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small 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 work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, 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 note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very 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 fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
