The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely expensive option, starting at £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 screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering different quotas of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable pre-set responses you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on new 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 begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
