This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays 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 vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
