The most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £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 – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a lot of functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring 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 find 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 crucial safety feature, though it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant 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 dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
