This latest model of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version found 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 despite the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally 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 message reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, although the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows 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 easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are sluggish, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
