This newest model of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, 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 twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then charged 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 test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited wearable features versus competing watches.
