This latest version of the premium Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is Garmin's premier model and designed to be the only tool required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the smaller 43mm version available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, SOS communication is not included for free.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your contacts or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to chosen contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case something happens. It has generally worked well, though the real position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite 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 surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services available through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling programs on new 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 cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital functions need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
