This newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a life-saving feature: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the sizable, crisp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and audio messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, biking or comparable activities – along with emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot 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 family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via text or voice messages, 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 register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, 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 typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available 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 send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays 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 straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is very liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features need ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch features versus competing watches.
