This latest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent 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 effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives 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 remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
