The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans 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 test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on new 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
