The latest version of Garmin's premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts using 4G LTE or orbital links.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the previously impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular technology, along with an optional advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is Garmin's top device and designed to be the only gadget needed to venture almost any location and track all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED version and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED screen – nearly double the price of the standard Fenix 8.
You do get a significant functionality for your investment, with best-in-class workout, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear great on the sizable, sharp and high-luminance touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as reviewed boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, enduring a reliable eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calls and Live Tracking
Garmin operates its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan instead of relying on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, like other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-enabled devices, emergency messaging is not included for free.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and audio messaging, calls and LiveTrack location sharing – so your friends or family can monitor you while engaged in running, cycling or similar activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Location updates and texts over orbital are then billed additionally, with more expensive plans offering various allowances of satellite usage, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive plan. The watch comes with a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the functionality.
Once 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 playing music or comparable activities, but you are able to make and take calls, send texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message reciprocally via text or spoken messages, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Messaging on the watch functions adequately but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to speed things up. Voice messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re unlikely going to wish to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is less than ideal.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can configure to automatically transmit a URL to selected contacts every time you begin an exercise, so they can follow your real time location on a map. It’s excellent for following competition progress, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you trust to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, though the real position has sometimes 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 does not reach, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position check-ins and emergency SOS.
A guide shows you how to find the clear view to the orbital system, which then transmits and gets messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly straightforward to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that satellite service is limited to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia above 65 degrees north.
Sustainability
The watch is generally repairable with services offered via the customer service portal. The battery is rated 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 disposal schemes on new purchases.
Cost
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach subscription plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Verdict
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a excellent adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for texting, call functionality and LiveTrack – plus orbital messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re out of coverage.
Outcome is an increasingly remarkable adventure tool for those that desire to be phone-free. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while running after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing anything else.
It is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability carries quite a cost, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the monthly fee of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone carrier so works with all make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For everyone else, it is a significant money when the excellent Fenix 8 already exists.
Pros: LTE and satellite messaging, super-bright OLED screen, tracks everything with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, voice and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline maps and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Drawbacks: extremely expensive, LTE and satellite functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
