This latest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various 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.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives 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 install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, 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 essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The 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
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
