The newest iteration of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls 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 provider, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need 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 has a set of personalizable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. 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 does so without requiring additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
