The most recent iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages 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 limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
