This most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey 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 edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances 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 got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling 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 service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. 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 liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any 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 desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
