The most recent iteration of the top-tier Fenix outdoor watch introduces a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. This is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
That makes it an very expensive option, starting at £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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and adventure tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of watch 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
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other smartwatches. However unlike competing satellite-enabled products, SOS communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier plans including different quotas of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you just venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a set of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform OK, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for extended discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it mostly serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is generally serviceable with options available via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus satellite messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the service. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require ongoing subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
