This most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore almost any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. But in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches 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 emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
