When I go trail running, hiking, or fishing outside of cellular coverage, I’ve been taking a Garmin inReach Messenger or Mini device with me to stay in touch with family and friends while hoping I never have to call emergency services.
It’s awesome that I can now have peace of mind right on my wrist with the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED, but there are considerations that may limit its appeal to many people.
The Fenix 8 Pro has all of the key flagship elements of the Fenix 8 with the enhanced software elements of the latest Garmin watches, like the Forerunner 970. In terms of hardware improvements, the primary distinguishing feature between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Pro is the LTE and satellite connectivity.
Unlike the Apple Watch Ultra 3, though, to have SOS capability with a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The full Garmin satellite messaging and LTE experience is definitely best through the Garmin Messenger smartphone application, so it requires a small bit of effort to get key family and friends to download and install that free application so you can communicate.
However, I went trail running outside of cellular coverage last weekend, and I was able to send messages and my location to my wife directly to her mobile phone number. She simply clicked the link to have my location open up in a Garmin Messenger browser window, where she could still reply to me. Garmin will help direct people to download the Messenger app, and for those times when I am off the grid, it is worth using that application.
With the LTE service on the Fenix 8 Pro, a free 30-day trial of the $29.99 Standard plan
Matthew Miller/ZDNET
The satellite messaging and location experience was excellent. The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro walked me through making the connection with a circle that appears on the watch face. You simply center the circle by moving your arm and wrist to line up the satellite with the watch. After alignment and a green confirmation color of the circle, your messages are sent and received.
I spend a lot of time in the woods of Washington, and I was able to obtain a solid signal even in an opening in the trees just as wide as a one-lane road, which gave me confidence in its ability to help me send a message if I am injured.
I have rather large wrists and love big watches, but be aware that the 51mm Fenix 8 Pro is nearly 2 mm thicker than the 51 mm Fenix 8. In addition, due to the LTE and satellite support, there is no 43mm option of the Fenix 8 Pro so which will limit the appeal of the Fenix 8 Pro to people who enjoy big, chunky watches.
Thankfully, I wear the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor to track my sleep, so I won’t knock my wife out with the Fenix 8 Pro when I roll over quickly.
Matthew Miller/ZDNEt
The Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED is also expensive, with the smaller 47mm size starting at $1,199. However, you no longer have to purchase a separate inReach device, and if the watch saves your life or provides peace of mind for your family and friends while you explore the world, then it may be worth the cost.
Garmin also has a microLED model available for $2,000, but with shorter battery life than the AMOLED model, I don’t see how a bit better off-angle view is worth that additional $700. Spend that money on your inReach subscription instead.
