The latest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely 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 screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, 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 got it set up, you just head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard 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.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
