The most recent model of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget required to explore almost anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The 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 large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various quotas of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply venture 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, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
When you message 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 communicate back and forth using text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to expedite communication. Voice messages and calls perform OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the line of sight 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 important to note that orbital service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
