The most recent model of the top-tier Fenix outdoor timepiece brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding new mobile tech, along with an optional advanced microLED screen in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier device and engineered to be the single tool needed to venture almost any location and track every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly double the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class fitness, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its complete offline mapping of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed does have an extra day of watch battery life even with the display always active, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts over satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you can place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your relatives and friends.
When you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then message back and forth using typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a set of personalizable pre-set responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the audio clarity is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you begin an activity, so they can track your live location on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked effectively, though the actual position has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates 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 orbital system, which then sends and receives communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, however it is important to note that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services 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 recycled components. Garmin provides recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro costs from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The optional Garmin inReach service plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, check-in and emergency SOS for when you’re out of signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach service to enable the service. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so functions with all brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors all activities with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touch.
Cons: extremely expensive, LTE and orbital features require ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay financial support, speech features are slow, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
