This newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £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 variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches 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 reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
