This most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive 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 edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life despite the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your phone provider, like other smartwatches. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while out running, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans including different allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, dispatch texts and overall stay connected with your family and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain 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 new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all brand of smartphone and network.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech features are slow, basic smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
