The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget required to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of orbital use, increasing 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 just venture the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the support site. The battery is certified 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 new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
