This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view 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, however 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 typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
