The most recent version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. 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 components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
