The latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track 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 model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages 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 less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin 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 adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
