The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's 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 audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate 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 sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
