The newest model of Garmin's flagship Fenix outdoor watch brings a life-saving capability: phone-free communication and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge mobile tech, along with an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top model and designed to be the only gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very expensive proposition, priced from £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 – nearly twice the cost of the standard Fenix 8.
You do receive a significant features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and adventure monitoring. The full offline maps of the world can seamlessly direct you return to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the large, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as tested does have an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen always active, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Messaging, Calls and Real-Time Location
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your phone provider, as with other wearables. However in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable devices, SOS messaging is not included for no cost.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides unlimited LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or similar activities – plus emergency satellite SOS alerts.
Location updates and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with more expensive plans including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you just 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 can make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your relatives and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a random number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger application, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice communications, and make voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is enough to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It has a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to speed things up. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has generally functioned well, though the actual location has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of strong LTE coverage.
All of these capabilities 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 send texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the clear view to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite coverage is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is typically repairable with options available via the support portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin provides recycling schemes on new purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced 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).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent outdoor watch in the standard Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
Outcome is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running out at night or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is very freeing to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal cost of the watch and the monthly subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it is not dependent on your phone carrier so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a significant expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice capabilities are sluggish, limited wearable functionality versus competing watches.
