The most recent version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the only tool required to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends 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 communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though 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 handiest feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating 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 provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
