This newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That 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 colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only 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 version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send 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 communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
