GPS Wrist Watch?
Equipment
Contributors to this thread:
I was wondering if there are quality watches that are also GPS's that could be recommended? Does this technology exist? I'll be miles deep into the Wilderness this year and a GPS watch could be a neat adittion.
To me, anything small will have issues power wise. For my bear camp, I wear a Timex Expedition with digital compass which is so accurate, you can't believe.
HuntEasy-
2nd Question- Yes the technology does exist. (Search for Garmin GPS watch and you will likely find plenty) I am a runner and use one all of the time.
1st question- I don't know that I would recommend any of them for backcountry hunting. (I am old school and have a Garmin 305). The battery life on them is probably less than 24 hours. You need a cradle w/USB to charge. They are not designed for navigation. They are designed for data logging. That being said, I did use mine to get back to the hotel on a foggy run in an unfamiliar town. (I was spun around and didn't know which way was up, visibility hindered any landmark identification)
Thank you guys. Sounds like the battery life is the problem. I have an Garmin Oregon and for a backcountry hunt, this may be the best option. Bear Track, I'll look into the Timex Expedition as a good watch with compass.
Yep, garmin makes a lot of them. Not good for navigation although they do have some rudimentary navigation screens.
Better off with a navigation specific model. Some of them can actually be cheaper than the wristwatch models.
Power is an issue too. Most watches with the GPS turned on will only last a few hours. I used to use a 305 as well and it was a battery hog. 4 hours at best on a charge.
I now have a polar m400 and it does last well although it is a sport watch. GPS is only on when needed, so it can last quite a while longer.
I would definitely go with a handheld. Much more capable for real world navigation needs.
My garmin forerunner 400cx is nice but on a good day will go 7 hours before dying..
Garmin Forerunner allows you to mark and go to "truck" "camp" "elk" etc. No maps but has basic functions. Also effective for to use for time and distance when running or training.
Elkaddict's Link
Garmin Epix.
Mapping, altimeter, 3 axis compass, 8GB memory, etc.
A wrist unit that would communicate with the primary larger unit when you turn it on would be cool as long as it lasted as long as a wrist watch battery normally does.
I recently saw one of the active duty SEAL's that I know wearing the big suunto. If you are into that stuff...probably a good recommendation. He did wear it on a three mile swim that we did before the drinking started but it isn't a GPS.
I have last years Garmin watch. Battery life with the GPS not turned on is a few weeks. It was purchased as a back up to my hand held. I tried it last year in Colorado and it worked great for finding way points such as camp. I didn't keep it on all day to make a track but I did mark camp, turn it off for a few hours, and then turned it on to find camp again. You can turn it off once you get your heading. Turn back on when needed. I took the USB charger and charged it off a small portable battery pack. I wouldn't take it as my only GPS but the year before I left my GPS on a rock. Got me to thinking what would I do if I was lost or dark or my GPS just failed.