This newest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching 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.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices 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, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
