This most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, 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 edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
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 check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire 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 does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
