The most recent model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor timepiece includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost any location and track every activity.
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 reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading workout, movement and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the large, sharp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in running, biking or similar activities – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering different quotas of satellite use, climbing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions 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 expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time location on a map. It’s great for following competition performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the actual position has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin watches 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 check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers disposal programs on recent 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 subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive outdoor device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. Fortunately it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so works with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, cycling or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
