This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £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 screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone 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 touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
