The most recent version of the premium Fenix adventure timepiece introduces a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by adding new cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and designed to be the only tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, 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 variant with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and appear great on the large, sharp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of smartwatch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other smartwatches. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency communication is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which includes unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with emergency satellite SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages via orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or similar activities, but you can make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally using typed or voice messages, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls work acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, 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 automatically send a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your whereabouts in case an incident occurs. It has typically worked well, though the actual position has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the satellite, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, however it is essential to note that satellite service is limited to the US continent, most of Canada, and most of Europe excluding regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services available through the customer service site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling schemes on new 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 plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone provider so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and satellite features require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus competing watches.
