The most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate 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 can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight 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 vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
