The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version 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 standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works 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 jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.