This most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely 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 display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts 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 Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
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 install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with most wearables, 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 on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs 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 packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
