The latest version of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free communication and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This positions it as an extremely expensive option, starting at £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 – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable activities – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin account 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 slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
