The most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £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 cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes 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 service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
