This most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive 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 – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone 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 pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications 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 coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
