The most recent iteration of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant features for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly guide you return to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone carrier, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while out jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
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 comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via text or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
This is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite features need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
