The latest model of the premium Fenix outdoor watch includes a life-saving capability: no-phone messaging and SOS alerts via 4G LTE or orbital connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro upgrades the already outstanding Fenix 8 by incorporating cutting-edge cellular tech, along with an available state-of-the-art microLED display in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and designed to be the single tool needed to venture virtually anywhere and monitor all your movements.
This makes it an very pricey proposition, starting at £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and climbing to a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm edition with microLED display – nearly twice the cost of the regular Fenix 8.
You do receive a lot of features for your money, with best-in-class fitness, movement and outdoor monitoring. The complete offline maps of the globe can automatically direct you back to the trail if you lose your way without a phone, and appear excellent on the large, crisp and high-luminance display.
The Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively available in 47mm or 51mm case sizes, not the smaller 43mm version found in other devices, so it is a large watch for larger wrists. But the 47mm OLED version as tested does have an additional day of smartwatch battery life despite the display always active, enduring a solid eight to nine days between charging.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its proprietary inReach LTE (4G) and orbital service plan rather than relying on a watch plan linked to your mobile carrier, like other wearables. But in contrast to competing satellite-capable devices, emergency messaging is not included for no cost.
Rather, subscriptions start at £7.99 or equivalent a month, which provides limitless LTE text and audio messages, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or family can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – plus SOS orbital SOS alerts.
Check-ins and messages via satellite are then billed additionally, with more expensive subscriptions offering various allowances of satellite use, increasing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the service.
After you have completed setup, you simply 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 place and receive calls, send texts and generally stay connected with your relatives and companions.
Whenever you text someone, Garmin sends them an SMS from a arbitrary phone number, which they can respond to back to your watch. If they install the Garmin Messenger app, you can then message back and forth via typed or spoken communications, and make voice calls. Your recipient is not required to have a Garmin profile to use the Messenger app, only a phone number is sufficient to sign up for texts.
Texting on the watch functions fine but composing texts on the small on-screen keyboard is slow. It has a collection of personalizable canned responses you can send to expedite communication. Spoken recordings and calls work OK, although as with most wearables, you’re unlikely going to want to use it for lengthy conversations as the audio clarity is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the most useful feature. You can set it up to automatically send a URL to chosen contacts whenever you start an exercise, so they can follow your live position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily serves as a utility for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case something happens. It has typically functioned well, although the real location has occasionally lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are available on other Garmin watches if you bring your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite activates on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A guide displays 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 unexpectedly easy to use and could be a crucial safety feature, however it is essential to remember that satellite coverage is restricted to the US mainland, most of Canada, and most of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia north of 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically repairable with services offered through the support site. The battery is certified to retain at least 90% of its original capacity after two years of weekly charging. The watch lacks any reused components. Garmin offers disposal schemes on new purchases.
Price
The Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service plans begin from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
This Fenix 8 Pro takes a excellent adventure watch in the standard Fenix 8 and adds LTE for messaging, calls and LiveTrack – along with satellite messaging, location update and emergency SOS for when you’re without coverage.
Outcome is an even more impressive adventure device for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you from afar while exercising after dark or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin accomplishes this without needing additional gear.
This is very liberating to be outdoors without a phone, but that capability comes at a significant price, both in terms of the colossal price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach service to provide the features. At least it isn’t reliant on your phone provider so functions with any make of smartphone and carrier.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier device for someone who dislikes being weighed down by their phone when jogging, biking or trekking, but nevertheless wants to be trackable and reachable. For everyone else, it is a lot of money when the superb Fenix 8 is already available.
Pros: LTE and orbital messaging, high-luminance OLED screen, tracks all activities with best-in-class GPS, built-in flashlight, phone and offline voice control, 8+ day endurance, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre water resistance and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touchscreen.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions require monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay financial compatibility, speech capabilities are sluggish, limited smartwatch functionality versus competing watches.
