This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, 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 display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent 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 subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
