This latest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive option, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-enabled products, emergency communication is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of orbital usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. 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 excellent for monitoring race progress, but it mostly acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to note that satellite coverage is restricted to the US continent, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – plus satellite communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
