The most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new mobile technology, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you can make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin devices if you bring 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 orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available via the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
