This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey 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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message 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 message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite 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 satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
