The most recent model of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey 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 edition with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service 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 incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update 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 unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
