The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, 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 anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, 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 screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.