The newest model of the premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture virtually any location and track every activity.
This makes it an very 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 edition with microLED display – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, as with other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with higher-tier subscriptions including different allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to note that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options available through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to enable the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
