This newest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
