How to Use Satellite Communications on the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro

If I learned It’s one thing to listen to a whole back catalog of great podcasts Real survival storyIt’s this: Whether you’re mountain biking the Californian trails or kayaking the west coast of England, the proverbial, you know, fan can hit really fast. When an adventure unexpectedly turns into an emergency, the one thing you definitely want is a way to summon rescue, even when you’re far from a cell network.

Until now, tapping into off-grid comms has meant affordability A dedicated satellite messenger. But also the choice of competitors Google and AppleGarmin — the best manufacturers Outdoor sports watch—Satellites strapped to your wrist 24/7 make it possible to back up security. new Garmin Fenix ​​8 Pro Now Garmin’s InReach packs satellite communication smarts, including satellite-powered text messaging, location check-in, and Emergency SOS–a virtual flare assisted by Garmin Response. Here’s how to use it.

What you pay for

First, you must know that the new Fenix ​​8 Pro is $200 more than the original Fenix ​​8. You need one Inreach Subscription PlanThat starts at $8 per month and goes up to $50 per month for the top tier. Choosing the right plan depends on how many messages you want to send and how much you plan to use live tracking.

All InReach packages include Emergency SOS and LTE services and require a 30-day commitment. Monthly subscriptions are available, and if you need tracking or contact changes, you can also move up or down levels. For situations when you are without your phone but have network coverage, there are also phone-free LTE calls, voice messages, text messages and live tracking.

How to set up Satellite Comms

From setup to send, I tested the new satellite and LTE equipment using the Fenix ​​8 Pro 51-millimeter AMOLED. You need:

• D Garmin Fenix ​​8 Pro
• A smartphone with Garmin Connect and the Garmin Messenger app installed
• A Garmin account (the one you sign into on your phone and watch)
• A Garmin Messenger account linked to your phone number
• An inreach/satellite service plan – a free trial can be activated during setup

Initial setup is a bit confusing, involving multiple Garmin apps, creating an account within Garmin’s Inreach platform, and finally, figuring out which sub packages you need. Still, the whole process takes about 15 minutes and can be done on your phone and watch. You’ll consider that time well invested if you find yourself stuck in a ravine, surrounded by predators, needing help.