The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring 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 updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
