The most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent 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. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong 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 send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
