The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have 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 Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, 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 place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches 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 via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
