This most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using 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 mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features 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, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the customer service 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 reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone 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 touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
