The latest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the single gadget required to explore almost any location 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 climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of satellite use, increasing 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 venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations 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 start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send 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 surprisingly 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, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available via the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
