The newest version of the flagship Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving capability: no-phone communication and emergency alerts via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro builds upon the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a limited edition. It is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single gadget required to venture virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That positions it as an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and reaching a substantial £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.
You do receive a lot of functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, activity and outdoor monitoring. Its full offline mapping of the world can automatically guide you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, sharp and super-bright display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm size found in other models, so it is a big watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED model as reviewed boasts an extra day of smartwatch battery life despite the screen on all the time, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and satellite subscription plan rather than depending on a watch plan linked to your phone carrier, like other wearables. However unlike competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or similar activities – plus emergency orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and messages over satellite are then charged on top, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of orbital usage, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited plan. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the functionality.
After you have got it set up, you just venture outside minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for streaming music or comparable tasks, but you are able to make and take calls, dispatch texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can reply to back to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then communicate back and forth via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin account to use the Messenger application, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but typing out texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable canned replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls work OK, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy discussions as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can configure to on its own send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time position on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition performance, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you trust to know your location in case an incident occurs. It has typically functioned effectively, though the real location has sometimes been delayed when moving in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these features are accessible on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in areas where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to send texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide displays 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 straightforward to use and could be a vital safety feature, however it is important to remember that satellite service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe except for parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with options offered through the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of regular charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal programs 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
The Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic outdoor watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that want 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 very freeing to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the features. At least it is not dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who hates being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, integrated flashlight, phone and standalone commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: extremely costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, limited Garmin Pay bank support, voice features are slow, basic smartwatch functionality compared with competing watches.
