The latest iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey 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 – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances 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 service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, 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 position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
