The most recent iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary 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 spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
