This most recent iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
