This latest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall 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 download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
