The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new cellular tech, plus an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to venture virtually any location and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside minus 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 family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, although as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, voice capabilities are slow, basic wearable functionality versus competing watches.
