The latest version of the premium Fenix adventure watch includes a potentially lifesaving capability: phone-free communication and emergency alerts using 4G LTE or satellite connections.
This Fenix 8 Pro enhances the already impressive Fenix 8 by incorporating new cellular technology, plus an available advanced microLED screen in a special edition. This is the brand's premier model and engineered to be the single tool required to explore virtually any location and monitor every activity.
That makes it an extremely pricey proposition, priced from £1,030 (€1,200, $1,200, A$2,300) for the 47mm OLED model and reaching a colossal £1,730 (€2,000/$2,000/A$3,399) for the 51mm variant with microLED screen – nearly twice the price of the standard Fenix 8.
Users get a lot of features for your money, with industry-leading fitness, activity and outdoor tracking. Its complete offline maps of the globe can seamlessly direct you back to the trail if you lose your way absent a phone, and appear excellent on the sizable, crisp and super-bright touchscreen.
This Fenix 8 Pro is exclusively offered in 47mm or 51mm case dimensions, not the more compact 43mm size available in other models, so it is a big watch for larger wrists. However the 47mm OLED version as tested boasts an additional day of watch battery life even with the screen on all the time, lasting a solid eight to nine days between charges.
Phone-Free Messaging, Calls and Live Tracking
The company uses its own inReach LTE (4G) and orbital subscription service instead of depending on a watch plan tied to your mobile provider, as with other wearables. But unlike competing satellite-capable products, SOS communication is not provided for no cost.
Instead, subscriptions begin from £7.99 or equivalent a month, which includes limitless LTE SMS and voice messaging, calls and LiveTrack location tracking – so your friends or loved ones can monitor you while out running, biking or similar pursuits – along with SOS satellite SOS messaging.
Check-ins and texts via orbital are then charged on top, with higher-tier plans including various allowances of orbital use, climbing to a £50 a month all-inclusive subscription. The watch includes a 30-day trial period so you can test out the functionality.
Once you have completed setup, you simply venture outside without your phone and the watch will connect to LTE. You cannot use it for streaming music or similar tasks, but you are able to place and receive calls, send texts and overall keep in touch with your family and companions.
When you text someone, Garmin sends 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 communicate back and forth via text or spoken communications, 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 register for texts.
Messaging on the watch works fine but composing texts on the tiny on-screen keyboard is time-consuming. It includes a set of personalizable pre-set replies you can send to expedite communication. Spoken messages and calls perform acceptably, although as with the majority of smartwatches, you’re not going to wish to use it for extended conversations as the quality is less than fantastic.
LiveTrack is the handiest function. You can set it up to automatically send a link to selected contacts every time you begin an activity, so they can track your real time position on a map. It’s great for following race performance, but it primarily acts as a tool for someone you rely on to be aware of your location in case an incident occurs. It has generally functioned well, although the real location has sometimes lagged when moving in and out of good LTE signal.
These features are accessible on other Garmin devices if you carry your phone with you, but in locations where LTE does not reach, the satellite kicks in on the Fenix 8 Pro to transmit texts, location check-ins and SOS SOS.
A on-screen assistance displays you how to locate the line of sight to the satellite, which then sends and receives messages within about 10 to 30 seconds. It was unexpectedly easy to use and could be a vital lifeline, though it is essential to remember that orbital service is restricted to the US mainland, the majority of Canada, and the majority of Europe except for regions of Scandinavia above 65 degrees latitude.
Environmental Impact
The watch is typically serviceable with services offered through the customer service site. The battery is certified to maintain at least 90% of its initial power after two years of weekly charging. The watch does not contain any reused components. Garmin provides recycling schemes on recent purchases.
Price
This Fenix 8 Pro is priced from £1,029.99 (€1,199.99/$1,199.99/A$2,299). The additional Garmin inReach service packages cost from £7.99 (€9.99/$7.99/A$13.50).
Conclusion
The Fenix 8 Pro takes a fantastic 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 without signal.
The result is an even more remarkable outdoor tool for those that desire to be unplugged. If you want to have someone keep an eye on you remotely while exercising out at night or in the middle of nowhere, the Garmin does so without needing additional gear.
This is quite liberating to be outside without a phone, but that capability comes at quite a price, both in terms of the substantial price of the watch and the recurring subscription of the inReach plan to provide the service. Fortunately it isn’t dependent on your phone provider so functions with all make of smartphone and network.
This Fenix 8 Pro is a top-tier gadget for someone who dislikes being burdened by their phone when jogging, biking or hiking, but still desires to be trackable and contactable. For other users, it is a lot of expense when the excellent Fenix 8 is already available.
Advantages: LTE and satellite communication, super-bright OLED screen, monitors everything with premier GPS, integrated torch, voice and offline commands, 8+ day battery life, Garmin Pay, complete offline mapping and navigation, offline Spotify, 100-metre waterproofing and 40-metre underwater use, physical controls and touch.
Cons: very costly, LTE and orbital functions need monthly payment, limited Garmin Pay bank compatibility, voice features are sluggish, limited smartwatch features versus Apple/Google/Samsung watches.
