Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Garmin Fenix 8 Professional is offered in two sizes and two show applied sciences, beginning at $1,199.99.
- LTE and satellite tv for pc assist improve security and allow you to talk and not using a cellphone.
- The watch is dear and really thick, and also you want a subscription to activate a name for emergencies.
extra shopping for selections
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Once I go path working, climbing, or fishing exterior of mobile protection, I have been taking a Garmin inReach Messenger or Mini system with me to remain in contact with household and associates whereas hoping I by no means should name emergency providers.
It is superior that I can now have peace of thoughts proper on my wrist with the Garmin Fenix 8 Professional AMOLED, however there are concerns that will restrict its enchantment to many individuals.
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The Fenix 8 Professional has all the key flagship components of the Fenix 8 with the improved software program components of the newest Garmin watches, just like the Forerunner 970. By way of {hardware} enhancements, the first distinguishing function between the Fenix 8 and Fenix 8 Professional is the LTE and satellite tv for pc connectivity.
Not like the Apple Watch Extremely 3, although, to have SOS functionality with a Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, it’s essential have a minimum of the Enabled inReach plan, which prices $7.99 monthly. The most costly Premium plan is $49.99 monthly. All inReach Fenix 8 Professional plans embody limitless LTE messaging and calling, together with SOS assist, and the worth varies relying on the allotment of satellite tv for pc messaging buckets.
$7.99 monthly for limitless LTE messaging, voice messaging, voice calls, and placement monitoring is definitely inexpensive than the mobile watch plan I pay for my Apple Watch Extremely and Samsung Galaxy Watch Extremely.
Nonetheless, for the worth of the Fenix 8 Professional, Garmin ought to embody SOS functionality for all of its inReach units and not using a subscription payment. This can be very uncommon that one must make the most of this service, and the worth of the system warrants that form of emergency protection.
The total Garmin satellite tv for pc messaging and LTE expertise is certainly greatest by the Garmin Messenger smartphone software, so it requires a small little bit of effort to get key household and associates to obtain and set up that free software so you possibly can talk.
Nonetheless, I went path working exterior of mobile protection final weekend, and I used to be capable of ship messages and my location to my spouse on to her cell phone quantity. She merely clicked the hyperlink to have my location open up in a Garmin Messenger browser window, the place she might nonetheless reply to me. Garmin will assist direct folks to obtain the Messenger app, and for these occasions when I’m off the grid, it’s price utilizing that software.
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With the LTE service on the Fenix 8 Professional, a free 30-day trial of the $29.99 Standard plan is included along with your buy. You’ll be able to ship and obtain messages as a lot as you need, so the Fenix 8 Professional acts as a typical smartwatch even in case you by no means use the satellite tv for pc messaging functionality.
Calls, nevertheless, do require the opposite individual to make use of the Garmin Messenger app, so that’s the greatest problem for adoption in comparison with an Apple Watch that simply acts as an extension of your iPhone.
The satellite tv for pc messaging and placement expertise was glorious. The Garmin Fenix 8 Professional walked me by making the reference to a circle that seems on the watch face. You merely heart the circle by transferring your arm and wrist to line up the satellite tv for pc with the watch. After alignment and a inexperienced affirmation coloration of the circle, your messages are despatched and acquired.
I spend numerous time within the woods of Washington, and I used to be capable of acquire a strong sign even in a gap within the bushes simply as extensive as a one-lane street, which gave me confidence in its capability to assist me ship a message if I’m injured.
Additionally: Why I swear by this Garmin smartwatch over competing models (including the Apple Watch Ultra)
I’ve reasonably massive wrists and love large watches, however bear in mind that the 51mm Fenix 8 Professional is almost 2 mm thicker than the 51 mm Fenix 8. As well as, as a result of LTE and satellite tv for pc assist, there is no such thing as a 43mm choice of the Fenix 8 Professional so which can restrict the enchantment of the Fenix 8 Professional to individuals who take pleasure in large, chunky watches.
Fortunately, I put on the Garmin Index Sleep Monitor to trace my sleep, so I will not knock my spouse out with the Fenix 8 Professional after I roll over shortly.
The Fenix 8 Professional’s most brightness can also be double that of the Fenix 8 AMOLED, and it appears to be like superb. Nonetheless, if I’m off the grid, battery life is one in every of my major considerations, and an Enduro Pro with that memory-in-pixel show that features LTE and satellite tv for pc connectivity could be an excellent choice to see sooner or later.
The Fenix 8 Professional AMOLED can also be costly, with the smaller 47mm measurement beginning at $1,199. Nonetheless, you not should buy a separate inReach system, and if the watch saves your life or gives peace of thoughts for your loved ones and associates when you discover the world, then it might be price the fee.
Garmin additionally has a microLED mannequin obtainable for $2,000, however with shorter battery life than the AMOLED mannequin, I do not see how a bit higher off-angle view is price that further $700. Spend that cash in your inReach subscription as an alternative.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The Garmin Fenix 8 Pro AMOLED is the premier sports activities watch for individuals who need connectivity all over the place, even when they don’t pack a cellphone. The speaker, microphone, Join IQ Retailer, and superior software program clearly make this watch a premium smartwatch.
Each sport and exercise I can consider is supported on the Fenix 8 Professional, and I can not wait to fly fish, path run, hike, camp, alpine ski, boat, and discover the world round me. I do know that I can hold my household and associates related and name on responders if I expertise a critical emergency.
