This newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £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 significant features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches 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 message reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
