The most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 display – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message 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 app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register 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 send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily 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 position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure 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 without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish 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 capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
