This latest iteration of the top-tier Fenix adventure timepiece includes a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. This is Garmin's premier device and designed to be the only tool required 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 model and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a lot of functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, activity and adventure monitoring. The complete offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar activities – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then billed on top, with higher-tier subscriptions including various allowances of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of customisable pre-set replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls work OK, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas 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 sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered through the customer service portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it is not dependent on your phone carrier so works with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated torch, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are slow, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
