The most recent iteration of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency 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 easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers 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 service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
