Posted on Dec 10, 2017
What is the best GPS watch for servicemembers?
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Looking for ease of use, durability, battery life, quality
Technology
GPS
Gear
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 9
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SFC Jim Ruether
Well stated SFC. Multi function watches and or exercise bands are prone to failure. Get a good watch like you say.
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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.
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.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
I'm mainly looking for something that will hold up to military abuse, GPS track my runs, calendar alerts, phone sync, and saferoom approved... No need for land nav, lol I don't even think there is a watch that does that
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Capt Michael Tucci
CPT(P) (Join to see) - Actually most of the ones I mention allow you to set way points, backtrack, plot points, and things. But, if you're just looking for a sport watch with GPS to track your runs, you can do that with the typical characters - Fitbit Surge (not fully waterproof), the Garmin Vivoactiv, like the LtCol recommended is another, and the apple watch. No need to spend a lot of money (will run about $150-250) on the more robust units.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Wow, I didn't know these watches actually allow the ability to plot points. As in full 8 digit grid points?
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Capt Michael Tucci
I think it is more like longitude/latitude like plotting points on any gps or google maps. They are basically the exact same as a gps tracker for hiking/outdoors (I believe the military has the ones you wear on your forearm - but, that's long after my time), but, in the form of a watch. Obviously you can get as large a map display on the watch, though.
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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.
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.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
Bear in mind, there are a lot of watches on the list. Generally it's the ones which do not have WiFi (like the Apple SmartWatch would not be allowed). This particular Garmin connects to your phone via Bluetooth.
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MSG Dan Castaneda
I have a Garmin VivoActive as well but it does not do MGRS. I have a separate Garmin for MGRS.
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Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin
MSG Dan Castaneda - You should check the apps on the Connect IQ store. There are several which can convert to MGRS data on the VivoActive HR device. I don't have a need for MGRS personally, but I still believe it can do it.
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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...
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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
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.
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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.
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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
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
Yeah but I don't need it for land navigation. tracking runs, syncing with my phone instead but can take the abuse of the Army. Using anything but specifically the tools provided for landnav would be unethical in my opinion and I don't know of any watch that let's you input grid points... Plus landnav isn't that difficult that cheating is needed
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SGT Ashar Elliott
"They" still say that about cameras and phones. A true photographer will not rely on his smart phone in order to get good pictures. While a smartphone has a camera and most people rely on this feature to save their monments, they often run into the situation where they end up just putting up with the limitations of a smartphone because they are not really worried about the quality of their pictures or videos. Jack-of-all-trade electronics tend to not do anything more than its primary function well. Then you run into the issue of what are you to do when one of the functions "break". If you keep those functions seperate then you can replace/update them individually when necessary.
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