GPS Watch for running, but maybe hunting

[CMF]

I'm looking at watches for running, and I'm considering the Garmin Forerunner 265.

It will be primarily for running. I may not even wear it hunting because I generally don't wear a watch.

But I wondered if any of the watches worked with Onx or had maps worthwhile to use it for hunting/hiking. It would be nice to navigate, mark waypoints, etc., without taking my phone out.

Any others out there that I should consider that are running focused, but have features worthwhile for hunting?

Edit to include that it must have storage for music. I'm trying to avoid carrying my phone on runs.

 

[huntcookwrite]

I have a Garmin Instinct and I can add waypoints through the Garmin app and navigate to those. Not sure if it directly syncs to onX but you could easily just add the points before you head out (or even through the app). Can do tracking, breadcrumbs, etc.

I think most garmin watches allow for this.

 

[2ski]

I have an older forefunner and like it alot. I upgraded to an Instinct because it pairs with my dog's GPS collar. I don't know of any watches that pair with onx but I could be wrong. The fenix lines do a ton but they come with a cost and I dont like watches that big.

 

[Pausekey]

I am looking at getting the Garmin Enduro 3. It has a viewable map, not just breadcrumbs like the instinct. Also sports a long battery life and solar charging, so even if i can't get Garmins advertised battery life i should be ok.

I rely on my phone and onX for maps so the additional map features of the Enduro are somewhat overkill, but now that i have a kid I'm liking some safety redundancy.

The Garmin Explore app can import a saved onX file and it pulls in the way points and routes btw.

 

[Dave Sims]

I was like you and ran a forerunner for years for the same reason. Finally upgraded to a Fenix 7 two years ago. Best upgrade at the time. Might want to look at the fenix 8.

 

[pattimusprime22]

I have fenix 7 and use it primarily for running/swimming. Never really used it while hunting other than checking sunrise/sunset times and elevation. As far as I know, garmin and onx don't talk to eachother

 

[CMF]

The Fenix and Enduro looks sweet, but out of price range for now.

It looks like nothing works with Onx currently. For now, I guess I'll just focus on getting one for the run features.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I’d look at the instinct 2. The version 3 is coming so you might be able to snag one on a deal. I have a 2 and it has a ton of features for the money. I’ve been happy with it and I’m not gentle on it.

 

[KY Ryan]

Whichever model you get, get the solar version. It’s worth it. I have the fenix solar and it does way more than I understand. I had an old instinct but the battery got real weak.

 

[sodaksooner]

It'll get you out of the woods, but the watches don't talk to OnX. I will set camp or the truck as a waypoint so if disaster strikes, i know where that is but all my nav is with my phone and OnX. I use my Fenix 7X for a lot of other stuff though, not necessarily hunting related. One thing I thought was stupid and I thought I'd never use is the stinking flashlight. Use it a lot actually. If you are looking for a watch to help with nav, it's probably not the best option. I mean mine has topo maps, etc, but really hard to see. It's better than nothing. I don't know how good they are on the forerunner series.

FWIW, Scheels has the fenix 7X Sapphire on sale for $499.

 

[mtnbound]

I'm looking at watches for running, and I'm considering the Garmin Forerunner 265.

It will be primarily for running. I may not even wear it hunting because I generally don't wear a watch.

But I wondered if any of the watches worked with Onx or had maps worthwhile to use it for hunting/hiking. It would be nice to navigate, mark waypoints, etc., without taking my phone out.

Any others out there that I should consider that are running focused, but have features worthwhile for hunting?

Edit to include that it must have storage for music. I'm trying to avoid carrying my phone on runs.

The maps on the Garmin watch’s is their own map so the only way to get the waypoints back and forth between Garmin and OnX is to do a GPX file export/import.
The map screen is too small to be very useful.
I love my Fenix as it’s great for working out and it’s tougher than Forerunners which I have broken two of that’s why I switched to the Fenix but the I’m hard on watches otherwise the Forerunner did a great job for workouts.

 

[CKT]

I’ve tried them all. If you are an iPhone user, the Apple Watch Ultra is tough to beat. Their software and user interface is just so much better

 

[huntcookwrite]

It'll get you out of the woods, but the watches don't talk to OnX. I will set camp or the truck as a waypoint so if disaster strikes, i know where that is but all my nav is with my phone and OnX. I use my Fenix 7X for a lot of other stuff though, not necessarily hunting related. One thing I thought was stupid and I thought I'd never use is the stinking flashlight. Use it a lot actually. If you are looking for a watch to help with nav, it's probably not the best option. I mean mine has topo maps, etc, but really hard to see. It's better than nothing. I don't know how good they are on the forerunner series.

FWIW, Scheels has the fenix 7X Sapphire on sale for $499.

The flashlight is probably the best feature if we’re being honest!

 

[Venom One]

Highly recommend watching "DCRainmaker" and/or "DesFit" reviews for any watch you're interested in. Both of those guys do a great job of comparing and reviewing watches.

I have Instinct, Fenix, and Venu watches and use the Venu everyday because of the touchscreen and low profile. If Apple, Samsung or Google could fix their terrible battery life, I'd consider switching.

 

[sodaksooner]

I’ve tried them all. If you are an iPhone user, the Apple Watch Ultra is tough to beat. Their software and user interface is just so much better

My wife has one and I can't come to grips with the shitty battery life though. 2 to 3 days max. I get 24 days out of my Fenix. Its so much better than my fenix 5 that I almost forget about charging it.