This newest model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the actual location 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 bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Price
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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
