This latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important 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 above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.