This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very expensive option, 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 variant with microLED display – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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 takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
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 exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all brand 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, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are sluggish, limited wearable features compared with competing watches.
