This newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp 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 devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets 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 satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
