This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. 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 needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, 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 works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
