The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
