The newest iteration of the flagship Fenix adventure timepiece brings a life-saving capability: phone-free messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new mobile technology, plus an optional advanced microLED display in a limited edition. This is the brand's top device and engineered to be the only gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very expensive proposition, 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 edition with microLED screen – almost twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. Its full offline maps of the world can seamlessly guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life despite the screen on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, like other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then billed on top, with more expensive plans including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches 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 communicate reciprocally using typed or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a mobile number is sufficient to register for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of customisable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is not ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to on its own send a link to selected contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, though the actual location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
These capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with options offered through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original 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 costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital messaging, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring additional gear.
It is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in torch, voice and offline 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.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
