The latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an very 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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to register 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 personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside 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 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 weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
