This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore almost 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 model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good 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 check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications 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 service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
