The newest version of the premium Fenix adventure watch brings a life-saving feature: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or satellite connections.
The Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already outstanding Fenix 8 by adding cutting-edge mobile technology, plus an available advanced microLED display in a special edition. It is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool needed to explore virtually any location and track all your movements.
That positions it as an extremely pricey option, 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 twice the price of the regular Fenix 8.
Users receive a significant functionality for your money, with industry-leading workout, movement and adventure tracking. Its full offline mapping of the globe can automatically direct you return to the path if you get lost without a phone, and look great on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the smaller 43mm version found in other models, so it is a large watch for bigger wrists. But the 47mm OLED model as tested boasts an extra day of watch battery life even with the display on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charging.
No-Phone Texting, Calling and Real-Time Location
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and satellite service service rather than depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile carrier, as with other wearables. However in contrast to competing satellite-capable products, emergency messaging is not provided for no cost.
Rather, plans start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messages, call functionality and LiveTrack position sharing – so your contacts or loved ones can keep an eye on you while engaged in jogging, cycling or comparable activities – along with SOS orbital SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged additionally, with more expensive plans offering different allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month unlimited subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can evaluate the service.
After you have got it set up, you just head out the door minus your phone and the watch will link to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or comparable activities, but you can place and receive calls, dispatch texts and generally keep in touch with your family and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin dispatches them an SMS from a arbitrary number, which they can reply to directly to your watch. If they download the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or voice messages, and initiate voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger application, just a mobile number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a collection of personalizable canned replies you can use to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls perform acceptably, though as with most wearables, you’re not going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the quality is not fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to selected contacts whenever you begin an exercise, so they can follow your live location on a map. It’s great for monitoring competition progress, but it mostly acts as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your whereabouts in case something happens. It has generally worked well, although the real position has occasionally been delayed when transitioning in and out of good LTE signal.
These capabilities are available on other Garmin devices if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE lacks coverage, the orbital activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, position updates and SOS SOS.
A guide shows you how to locate the clear view to the orbital system, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was surprisingly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is important to remember that satellite service is restricted to the US continent, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe excluding parts of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with options available through the customer service portal. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its original power after two years of regular charging. The watch does not contain any reused materials. Garmin offers 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 optional Garmin inReach subscription plans cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro builds on a fantastic adventure watch in the regular Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite communication, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that want to be phone-free. If you wish to have someone monitor you remotely while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outside 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 service. At least it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with any brand of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a killer device for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, 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 satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and standalone voice control, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, full offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre diving, buttons and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and satellite functions need ongoing payment, restricted Garmin Pay financial support, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
