This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor 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 model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches 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 back and forth via text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, 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 slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible 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 check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays 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 unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
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 communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
