The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £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 twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The 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 big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view 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 safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides 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 optional Garmin inReach service plans 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 adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, basic wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
