This newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes 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 subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
