The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view 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, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
