The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching 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 receive a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices 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, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
