This most recent model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £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 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 workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin 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 messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
