The newest iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only tool needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey option, priced from £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 price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, 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 real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. 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 schemes on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
