The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible 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 send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
