This newest version of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only 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. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible 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, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate 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 safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee 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 killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
