This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it 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 display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
