This newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £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 variant with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just head out the door without 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 number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
