This latest model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an very 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 display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested 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.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
