The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the single gadget required to venture almost any location and monitor all your movements.
That positions it as an very expensive 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 – almost twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and adventure monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically direct you back to the path if you lose your way without a phone, and look great on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the display always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – along with emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and messages over orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans offering different quotas of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a phone number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of customisable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for extended conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE coverage.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the support site. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be locatable and reachable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything 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: very expensive, LTE and satellite features require monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited wearable functionality compared with competing watches.
