The newest model of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a potentially lifesaving capability: no-phone communication and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile tech, plus an available advanced microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's top model and engineered to be the only gadget needed to venture virtually anywhere and track every activity.
This positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – almost double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of functionality for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. The full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, omitting the more compact 43mm size found in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription service rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar pursuits – plus emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
After you have got it set up, you simply head out the door without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient does not need a Garmin account to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally worked effectively, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is essential to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on new purchases.
Cost
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription packages begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, calls and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that desire 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 accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so works with any brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when running, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For other users, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, monitors all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touchscreen.
Cons: very expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
