This latest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £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 variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
