The latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor 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 climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
