This latest version of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set 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 lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency 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 easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. 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 packages begin 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 incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
