The most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £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 – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
