This newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, 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 find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
