This latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account 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 collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service 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 materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
