The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching 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 get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, 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.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages 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 audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations 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 find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
