The newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not 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 automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin 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 incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
