The most recent model of the premium Fenix adventure watch includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, biking or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only 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 time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling 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 additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin 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 incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
