This most recent version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to explore virtually anywhere and track all your movements.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost absent a phone, and look great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just head out 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, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages 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 quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital features need monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
