This most recent version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already impressive Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. It is Garmin's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to venture almost anywhere and track every activity.
That makes it an very pricey option, 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 double the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, movement and adventure tracking. The complete offline maps of the world can automatically direct you return to the trail if you get lost without a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed 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 Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription plan rather than relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-enabled devices, emergency communication is not provided for free.
Rather, plans begin from £7.99 or similar a month, which provides unlimited LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out jogging, cycling or comparable pursuits – along with SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Location updates and messages via satellite are then billed on top, with more expensive subscriptions including different quotas of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can test out the service.
Once you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus 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 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 random number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate reciprocally via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your contact is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but typing out texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work acceptably, although as with the majority of wearables, you’re not going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to on its own transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring race progress, but it mostly serves as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has occasionally been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is important to remember that orbital coverage is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered via the customer service site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin offers recycling programs on recent purchases.
Price
The 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).
Verdict
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor 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 signal.
The result is an even more remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while running out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite freeing to be outside without a phone, but that functionality comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to enable the features. At least it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with all brand of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when running, biking or hiking, but nevertheless wants to be locatable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED display, tracks everything with premier GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, physical controls and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: extremely costly, LTE and orbital features need ongoing subscription, limited Garmin Pay bank support, speech capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
