This newest iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing 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 simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want 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 needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
