This latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins 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 straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage 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 via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
