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It’s time to graduate from that basic watch on your wrist to something that can help you stay in shape, keep you connected, and improve your situational awareness. Think of GPS watches as a smartwatch that’s built to excel in Teton Valley rather than Silicon Valley. This kind of watch is just as tough and utilitarian as your old sports watch, but with features you’d expect from the latest tech gadget. It’s kind of like getting out of an Humvee and climbing into an MRAP: you don’t have to give up any of the capabilities you’re used to, and the list of benefits is long.
Which GPS watch you choose will depend on how you plan on using it. Navigating across rough terrain in a far off land requires a different watch than counting steps around the office at your stateside staff job. We found something for everyone, though, so read on to find one that’s right for you.
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro
Suunto Core
Sky Caddie LX5
Timex Ironman R300
Casio Pro Trek
Apple Watch Series 6
Related: 7 men’s watches to kickstart any collection
Types of GPS watches
- Everyday GPS watches: Most smartwatches are surprisingly durable. Everyday GPS watches blur the lines between survival tools and fashion accessories. In this category, you’ll find watches that can do all the athletic, outdoorsy things you need with enough style to wear out on the town. It’s nice to have this kind of capability without going fully tactical.
- Fitness GPS watches: If you care about your workouts, you should probably be tracking your progress with more than a notepad. Fitness GPS watches monitor everything from heart rate to distance traveled. You can reference data on your athletic performance and get real-time information about how far you’ve run, hiked, or swam. Some GPS watches can even access information like weather conditions and elevation.
- Tactical GPS watches: Tactical GPS watches are designed to perform under the pressure of grueling combat scenarios. Look for watches that pack technology and tools into a lightweight package, with muted colors and durable materials. A quality GPS watch can absolutely be a tactical advantage, so don’t let your outdated timepiece become a liability in the field.
Key features of GPS watches
- Connectivity: Obviously, GPS watches need to connect with satellites to provide you with real-time information about your whereabouts. They can also communicate with other devices via Bluetooth and wifi, which means you can be more connected than ever. Many options allow you to receive notifications from your phone on your watch and use voice commands to respond, control your music, or access apps.
- Durability: All the technology in the world can’t help you if it isn’t tough enough to stay with you on the go. Make sure you’re getting a GPS watch that can withstand water, impacts, and extreme temperatures. We only made room for the most worthy contenders on our list to make sure you get the performance you need.
- Capabilities: All GPS watches offer more capabilities than your traditional watch, but the benefits they offer vary depending on whether you prioritize style, fitness, or tactical advantages. The GPS market is large and growing, so there are specialized options for just about every intended use. Be honest with yourself about what you expect to gain from buying a GPS watch, and we’re confident you’ll be happy with the upgrade.
- Display: One of the main differentiating factors among GPS watches is the display. Stylish and fitness-oriented watches often use large, full-color displays that make it easy to receive detailed information in an engaging way. Tactical GPS watches tend to use simpler displays that are unlikely to draw attention and compromise your position.
Benefits of GPS watches
GPS watches do far more than tell time. Get real-time information about your physical output, environment, and communication with the rest of the world with a watch that monitors your fitness and gives you access to the apps on your phone. GPS watches act as a clock, navigational aid, smartphone, and fitness tracker in one compact device. By upgrading to one of these watches, you can eliminate the need to carry (and pay for) multiple devices. It’s also convenient and reassuring to know that you have all these capabilities with you no matter where you go. And remember when GPS watches looked like bricks with an armband? Back then, they could do little more than keep track of your location. Current GPS watches are just as sleek and fashionable as anything else on the market.
GPS watch pricing
Quality entry-level GPS watches offer many of the features you’d get from a high-end alternative at a much more accessible price, usually less than $200. Avoid the most inexpensive options and you’ll be fine. For more than $200, premium GPS watches provide incredible capability in a durable, attractive design. Prices can approach four figures, but the advantages might be worth it, depending on your needs.