The most recent model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out 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 activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text 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 app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track 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 location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view 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 note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This 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).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
