The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications 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 satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
