The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch 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 download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
