The most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts 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 lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain 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
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 builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
