The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus 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 overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors 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 service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
