The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single gadget required to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive option, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – almost twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure tracking. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of good LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro costs 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).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
