The newest version of Garmin's top-tier Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite links.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is Garmin's top model and engineered to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track every activity.
This positions it as an extremely expensive proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life despite the screen always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling 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 phone carrier, like other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar pursuits – plus SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then charged additionally, with higher-tier plans offering various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you simply 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 are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, 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 collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to on its own transmit a link to selected contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked effectively, although the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, though it is essential to note that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused materials. Garmin provides disposal programs on recent purchases.
Price
The 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
This is very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to provide the service. 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 gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, high-luminance OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and satellite features need monthly subscription, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited wearable features compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
