The latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, 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 screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. 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 following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
