The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to explore almost any location and track every activity.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure tracking. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp 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 large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot 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.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without requiring additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so functions with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
