This latest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various 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 functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When 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 application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows 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, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
