The newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available 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 shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool 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 remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
