The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and engineered to be the only gadget required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey option, 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor tracking. Its full offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of customisable canned responses you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race performance, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the real position has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to locate 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 important to note that satellite service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin offers 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 packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is quite freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
