This newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive option, 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 double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
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 updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates 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 adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
