This most recent model of the premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices 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 updates 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
