The latest model of the flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact 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 adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
