What is the best GPS watch for servicemembers?

2017-12-10T21:55:56-05:00

Looking for ease of use, durability, battery life, quality

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 3:42 AM

2017-12-11T03:42:41-05:00

Want a watch? Get one that tells time. Want a GPS? Get a GPS.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 6:56 AM

2017-12-11T06:56:29-05:00

https://wiki.ezvid.com/best-gps-watches?id=adw&gclid=CjwKCAiA9rjRBRAeEiwA2SV4ZfATFGdoNWrqgVDFYuTpCM_RipGEaTcZZAdqcqGxmb9mgJRZYe_cYRoCVNEQAvD_BwE

best-gps-watches

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 6:57 AM

2017-12-11T06:57:42-05:00

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/camping-and-hiking/best-gps-watch

Best GPS Watches of 2017 for Running & Training | OutdoorGearLab

We analyzed over 50 of the top GPS-enabled fitness watches for all walks of adventure. Our expert testers then narrowed down the selection to the best 9 and put them through 3 months of...

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Dec 11 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-12-11T12:34:34-05:00

I have the Garmin VivoActive HR and I love it. Features I enjoy the most include the fact it is as thin as the band, which prevents it from digging into my wrist throughout the day. It has GPS, it's waterproof (which the same style for Fitbit was not), and allows you to download a suite of apps and widgets. More importantly, and this might be important if you work in a secure facility, it is approved to be worn in many secure facilities (that is if your security manager agrees).

The watch is easy to use and has a lot of great features. I'm not crawling around tight spaces or finding myself in any combat situations these day (I got the watch after I retired), but I could imagine loving the watch while I was deployed to Afghanistan too. As for battery life, I have no comparisons but mine is able to go at least for one week if I'm not using the GPS constantly. If I use it for my runs/walks/etc, I believe it could go for about 3 days depending on the length (in time) of the activity. I once took it on a hike up Pike Peak CO, turning the GPS on at the beginning of the hike. It got down to 3% by the 5 1/2 hour. I had about 1/2 an hour left, so I turned off the GPS tracking and I was able to get back to a charger before it hit 0%. Quality wise, I love it. It's discrete, easy to wear, and it will charge fast. I usually take it off when I hit the shower to charge it each day and it's generally ready when I get out. I'm usually in the upper 80% zone unless I used the GPS (then high 60s to 70s).

Let me know if you need to know anything about it's features.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2017 1:22 PM

2017-12-11T13:22:05-05:00

Lol they used to say that about phones and cameras

Response by Capt Michael Tucci made Dec 11 at 2017 1:54 PM

2017-12-11T13:54:45-05:00

I'm actually surprised no one brought up Suunto. They are very expensive, but, they are basically a GPS that has a watch function, not a watch that they jammed every happyass bell and whistle into with crappy GPS. But, I would also say that if you get a GPS watch from any GPS maker - Garmin, TomTom, Suunto, etc, then you will have excellent GPS capability.

All that being said - never leave home without a good lensatic compass and topo map. Batteries do die, electronics do fail, and watches do get crushed. Always know your land nav FIRST, then GPS becomes only an aid, not something you're dependent on.

Response by Sgt Robert Murphy made Dec 11 at 2017 4:07 PM

2017-12-11T16:07:19-05:00

I am sorry but from what I had seen before I left the service a map and compass is what they need to know how to work first

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made May 9 at 2018 8:51 PM

2018-05-09T20:51:20-04:00

What the heck for? if there is no signal or not enough satellites up, then you have a very expensive Timex. I wore G-shocks, Suunto, and other type Casio's. Barometer, compass, altimeter and dual times worked just great. Besides again if you GPS fails, how good you the watch be.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2021 10:17 PM

2021-02-20T22:17:35-05:00

This is the watch I use. The reason why I like it is that it has a very long battery life. You will get all your notifications and it is great for tracking your runs. Also, you need to be cautious about a watch that can do it all. You will have to recharge it daily. If you have a watch like that you will need to carry a second one when it goes out. Watches like that don't do well in JRTC or when you are running 24 hour OPS. I have a GPS watch, Foretex on my body armor that I only use for training. With all of these watches you can't take them into a secure room. You have to take it off. You can't have anything with a wireless connection in there.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/628939

Garmin Forerunner 245 | Running Watch

Forerunner 245 is a running watch that includes training status to indicate if you’re under training or overdoing it, and training plans from Garmin Coach.