This latest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey 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 variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find 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 safety feature, however it is important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling 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 subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
