This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey option, 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 variant with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever 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 back and forth using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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 adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
