This most recent version of the top-tier Fenix adventure watch introduces a life-saving feature: phone-free messaging and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite links.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the previously outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, along with an optional state-of-the-art microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's top device and designed to be the single gadget needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That makes it 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 variant with microLED display – almost double the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant features for your investment, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen always active, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free 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 linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to Apple or Google's satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via satellite are then charged additionally, with more expensive subscriptions including different allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch comes with a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
Once you have completed setup, you simply head out outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for playing music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and friends.
When you message someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a random phone number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your contact does not need a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is enough to register for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a collection of personalizable canned responses you can use to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, though as with the majority of wearables, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful function. You can set it up to automatically transmit a link to chosen contacts whenever you start an activity, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s excellent for monitoring competition progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real position has sometimes lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are accessible on other Garmin watches if you carry your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the line of sight to the satellite, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital safety feature, though it is essential to remember that orbital coverage is limited to the US mainland, most of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services available through the support site. The battery is rated to retain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled materials. Garmin provides disposal schemes on recent 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 subscription packages begin 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 incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, check-in and SOS SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an increasingly impressive adventure device for those that want to be unplugged. If you want to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin accomplishes this without requiring anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. At least it isn’t dependent 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 hates being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but nevertheless desires to be locatable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with premier GPS, built-in torch, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, speech capabilities are slow, limited smartwatch features compared with competing watches.
