This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually anywhere 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 reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate 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 lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite 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 generally repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool 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 requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
