The newest model of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This 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 substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
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 app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices 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, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result 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 exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
