The newest iteration of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool required to explore almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply venture outside minus 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 stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for following race performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance 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 easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
