This latest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive 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.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes 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 streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate 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 vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides 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 optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone 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 expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
