This newest version of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, 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 activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional 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 texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider 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 desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
