The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice 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 sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not 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 on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with options available through 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 components. Garmin offers recycling schemes 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 service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
