This most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and track 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 climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message 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 reciprocally using typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view 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 crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
