This most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight 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 orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
