The most recent model of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of satellite use, 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 completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent 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
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running 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 capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 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.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
