This newest version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact 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 works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional 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 standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. 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 anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
