The latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
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 regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS 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 surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at 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 reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
