The newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, 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 got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring 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 SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so 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 colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant 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 dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
