Which Garmin Watch

[Luked]

Heard a while back the Fenix 5 was a heck of a watch for GPS with maps etc.
Which watch would be good for hunting oit of the new lineup. Has anyone messed around with the newer ones. Been needing a new one and would like a good one woth Maps and good GPS but also able to get texts etc from my phone for work.

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[Brendan]

A couple observations for you based on my experience. I've used the Epix, and now the Fenix 5 which I've had for a couple years. Also have an Edge for my Mountain and Road Bikes. Then an Inreach for emergency / off grid stuff. Plus, an older Montana that doesn't get used anymore. Definitely a garmin fan...

I don't care which watch, wrist based maps sort of suck after you get used to using your phone. My watch gets used for every day workout training, heart rate monitoring, a watch year round. Gets linked up to cadence and speed sensors for the bikes, heart rate monitors for all my workouts. In the woods, I need a watch anyways, need an alarm clock, and it's good as a backup GPS device. And, recording occasional tracks or trails I want to save. My phone gets primary for navigation, and an inreach gets emergency / tracking duties. Really, no comparison using something like Gaia or OnX for navigation though.

With that said, love my Fenix 5, I'd buy it again, and will upgrade to a 6 or newer at some point. When I do though, I may consider one without the maps, not sure. Really comes down to cost and size.

 

[buttehunter]

Check out the Garmin instinct

 

[Highhuntin]

I have the instinct and love it, Fenix is nice and has better maps but I use a standalone gps and the instinct does all I need great battery life and more rugged then the fenix

 

[TravisIN]

Love my instinct


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[sneaky]

I have the instinct and love it, Fenix is nice and has better maps but I use a standalone gps and the instinct does all I need great battery life and more rugged then the fenix

More rugged than the Fenix? I work on all kinds of equipment and I've had my Fenix 5X sapphire for a couple of years. Not even a scratch on the face. The Instinct face isn't nearly as scratch resistant. It's lighter and smaller, but definitely not more rugged. Definitely cheaper, just depends on what feature set someone is looking for. Instinct display is brighter than the Fenix.

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[Whaledriver]

My Instinct has been awesome.

 

[Runwilderness]

Ive also been running a Fenix 5, non map variant, for a number of years, and I’ve been a Garmin GPS watch user going back the original forerunner. I do use it for txt and email notifications, but you’ll End up pulling out your phone if the message is longer than a short sentence.

I haven’t looked at the newest versions, but when I purchased, the larger fully color screen on the map capable model resulted in a serious hit to battery life in GPS mode. I run long distance trails with my watch and the battery life was important.

I carry Onx on my phone (with backup chargers) and/or paper maps for navigation.

 

[stitchesdraw]

I purchased the Garmin instinct tactical about a month back ... this thing is EPIC .. im also a bush pilot and a sky jumper lol .. if you want altitude and pressure settings and a GPS and amazing features this thing has been AWESOME..... making waypoints ... synced to my in reach .. so many features that i actually use... plus tactical BROWN ?!?!?! say what lol... ya i love it .... battery last forever too. Obviously you dont have some 8" map ... but having this GPS could save your ass when caught off guard. Ive tested this in my bush plane as well.. and hot dang the GPS it exact in comparison to the cockpit gps... pretty impressive . well done garmin