This latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, priced from £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 – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However 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.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, though the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
