This newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
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 large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches 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 message back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, 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 functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires 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 messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic wearable features versus competing watches.
