This newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very pricey 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 twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This 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 large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal 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 additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
