The newest iteration of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and emergency messaging via 4G LTE or orbital links.
The Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular tech, plus an optional state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool required to explore almost anywhere and track every activity.
This makes it an extremely pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a substantial £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED display – nearly twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users get a significant functionality for your investment, with industry-leading workout, activity and adventure monitoring. Its complete offline maps of the globe can automatically guide you back to the path if you get lost absent a phone, and look excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
The Fenix 8 Pro is only available in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, omitting the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a reliable eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calling and Live Tracking
The company operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service service instead of relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. But unlike Apple or Google's satellite-enabled products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes unlimited LTE text and voice messages, calls and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can monitor you while engaged in jogging, biking or comparable pursuits – plus emergency orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited 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 the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You can not use it for playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and overall stay connected with your family and companions.
Whenever you message someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally using text or spoken communications, and initiate voice calls. Your contact 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 composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable pre-set replies you can use to expedite communication. Voice recordings and calls perform OK, although as with most smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended discussions as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can configure to on its own transmit a link to chosen contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your live position on a map. It’s excellent for following race progress, but it primarily serves as a tool for someone you rely on to know your location in case something happens. It has typically worked well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when transitioning in and out of strong LTE signal.
All of these capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and emergency SOS.
A guide displays you how to locate the line of sight to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets communications within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial lifeline, though it is essential to note that orbital service is limited to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and most of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally serviceable with services offered via the support portal. The battery is rated to maintain at least 90% of its initial capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any recycled components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on recent purchases.
Cost
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
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and incorporates LTE for messaging, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital communication, location update and SOS SOS for when you’re out of signal.
Outcome is an even more impressive outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you from afar while running after dark or in the remote areas, the Garmin does so without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that functionality carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial cost of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach service to enable the features. Fortunately it is not reliant on your phone carrier so works with any make of smartphone and carrier.
The Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, cycling or trekking, but still wants to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a lot of expense when the superb Fenix 8 already exists.
Advantages: LTE and orbital messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with premier GPS, integrated flashlight, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline maps and routes, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, buttons and touchscreen.
Drawbacks: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay bank support, voice capabilities are sluggish, basic wearable features compared with competing watches.
