The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £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 screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
