This latest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted 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 generally serviceable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
