The latest version of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to explore almost anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering various quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily acts as a utility for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, 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, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates 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 expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
