The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the single gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very 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 plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
