This latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, 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 handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new 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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not 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, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
