The latest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
This makes it 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 – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays 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 lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
