Watches

[SwankB22]

Seeing if the watch game for hunting and gps is worth it, plus having health metrics while in backcountry.

Looked at garmin, coros and suunoto brands. Does anyone have any input and what watch is best for the backcountry/hunting?

 

[2Stamp]

Worth it? debatable. If you like to keep track of that stuff, like metrics, yes. Necessary? no. I have a Fenix 7. It is helpful to glance to see what my altitude is if I'm trying to get up to a certain area. I link it to my dog controller for bird hunting, so that's cool. I find I use the built in "flashlight" a lot. Tracking steps is interesting, but doesn't necessarily translate to exact miles traveled.

I used to track my sleep stats pretty religiously, now it does me no good because of a new tattoo that the watch's monitor light can't get through. So now that's useless to me. I only use probably a quarter of what it can do (maybe less), so it's kind of a waste. If I had to do it again, there are other less fancy Garmin's that would do what I think I need, for less than the higher end Fenix.

I had a Suunto at one time. It was ok until it quit working after about 3 years. Expensive brick.

 

[John pettimore]

Worth it, IDK but it does make me feel better having a redundant GPS for next to no weight and I do like having altitude readily available at a glance.

I had a garmin and hated it (their interface is awful in my opinion). Have a Coros now and much prefer the functionality. Not even a year old yet so I can’t speak to longevity yet but the battery life and use ability is amazing!

 

[Marbles]

Certainly not needed. You can get an ABC watch that will not need charging during a hunt and will give you altitude (A), barometer pressure (b), and a compass (C).

I like my Fenix 7, but that is for all the metrics I don't really need or use. It is great for exercising, beyond that I use the light, glancing at texts, sunset/sunrise, tide tables, and find my phone the most. Tracking an activity really cuts down on battery life, so I don't always track on a hunt.

 

[Pausekey]

I bought an Enduro 3 in November, partly for hunting. I wanted a fitness/smart watch but figured if I was spending the money on one it should also provide value when I hunt. I have a Garmin messenger satellite communicator so I wanted to stay within the Garmin system.

I think that the usefulness from one is heavily influenced by how much you practice with it and become familiar with the features you want to use. My watch can connect with my inreach, so I can message from my wrist. I uploaded all my onX routes and pins to my Garmin map, so I have a full GPS map backup.

As others have already said the flashlight, altitude, compass, sunrise/sunset times are all very useful. I think depending on how you hunt the health metrics could also provide benefit, like keeping an eye on HR during the hike in to avoid pushing too hard.

Most importantly you will look like an absolute operator with a tactical chunky watch. Combined with a sweet set of matching camo, other hunters will know you mean business!

 

[Dcook1318]

I’ve really liked having my Garmin Epix Pro as a backup GPS and map if needed. If your into fitness also I’d say it’s a must have.

 

[sodaksooner]

I have a fenix 7x, but don't use it much for hunting other than backup and what others have said.

 

[Ajsomp]

I find smart watches in general less than useful, but mostly because where I work I can’t always wear them.

My fitness never suffered because of my watch so unless there is something super major a piece of gear offers me, I don’t buy it or bring it.