4 Popular Garmin Watches for Aviation (Guide)

Pilots have been wearing watches for ages since the first flight took off at the start of the 20th century.

This is because earlier planes weren’t computerized and pilots had to calculate time, distance, speed, and fuel burnt manually using their watches.

Things have changed, but this old-age tradition has remained in place. Pilots are now wearing smartwatches for reference and as a backup.

This post explores the top four popular Garmin watches for aviation.

Budget Choice
Garmin D2 Air - GPS Smartwatch for Aviators
Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor,...
Editor Choice
Garmin D2 Delta S, Smaller-sized GPS Pilot Watch, Includes...
Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch
Garmin D2 Air - GPS Smartwatch for Aviators
Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor,...
Garmin D2 Delta S, Smaller-sized GPS Pilot Watch, Includes...
Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch
$449.99
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Budget Choice
Garmin D2 Air - GPS Smartwatch for Aviators
Garmin D2 Air - GPS Smartwatch for Aviators
$449.99
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Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor,...
Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor,...
Price not available
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Editor Choice
Garmin D2 Delta S, Smaller-sized GPS Pilot Watch, Includes...
Garmin D2 Delta S, Smaller-sized GPS Pilot Watch, Includes...
Price not available
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Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch
Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch
Price not available
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Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Can Pilots Wear Smartwatches?

Pilots can wear smartwatches both inside and outside the cockpit.

Initially, mechanical watches were the only tools pilots could use to keep time, track various flight maneuvers, calculate speed, and estimate the distance covered. 

With advances in technology, smartwatches have become the timepiece of choice for many pilots. 

These aviator watches come equipped with various useful features vital to the aviation industry.

They’re capable of automatic flight logging and alerts, dynamic color mapping, and providing worldwide airport data and weather information.

Even though today’s airplanes are computerized and have tools that perform all flight functions, the watches pilots wear are GPS enabled and support other satellite navigation systems.

They act as reference and backup in case of any unforeseen events during a flight.

Pilots also wear smartwatches for health reasons. These watches support wellness monitoring apps that track heart rate and blood oxygen levels at higher altitudes.

Does Garmin Watch Work with ForeFlight?

Garmin watches can work with the ForeFlight integrated app via Garmin’s Bluetooth wireless gateway designated as Flight Stream 110, 210, and 510.

What Watches Do Airline Pilots Wear?

Airline pilots wear advanced smartwatches from Garmin, Bremont, and IWC.

These watches come equipped with essential features such as GPS, airport database, dual time functions, direction sensors, and flight computer bezel markings.

4 Best Garmin Watches for Aviation

Garmin D2™ Air

Garmin D2 Air - GPS Smartwatch for Aviators
  • Get airport weather for preflight awareness (when paired with a compatible smartphone).
  • Navigate Direct-to nearby airports, and see airport runway information (when paired with a compatible smartphone).
  • This AMOLED smartwatch goes up to 5 days on a single charge.

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Garmin D2 Air is a flagship smartwatch designed to guide your flight and track your activities in and out of the cockpit.

The watch comes loaded with a worldwide airport database that allows you to view vital info such as runway orientation as you approach your destination.

You can also access weather reports for preflight awareness.

The watch boasts an AMOLED touchscreen for clear visibility, and it has an unbreakable Corning Gorilla Glass 3 lens for improved durability.

The black leather strap and silicone band ensure the watch withstands the rigors of daily life.

What makes this watch more impressive is that you can navigate directly to nearby airports and view your route on a moving map.

The D2 Air also allows you to add and save your waypoints if a destination is not in the database.

Top features

  • Built-in Pulse Ox sensor tracks pulse rate and oxygen levels.
  • Customizable smart alerts for course deviations.
  • Automatic flight logging for tracking flights.

Pros

  • Supports multiple timezone displays.
  • Features several wellness monitoring apps.
  • Compatible with most smartphones, including iphones.

Cons

  • Battery life is only five days on a single charge.

Garmin D2™ Delta PX

Garmin D2 Delta PX, GPS Pilot Watch with Pulse Ox Sensor,...
  • Premium GPS aviator watch with wrist-based Pulse Ox sensor tracks blood oxygen saturation (this is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the...
  • Aviation functions include dynamic color mapping, NEXRAD weather (when paired with a compatible smartphone), airport data, automatic flight logging, alerts,...
  • Smart notifications (when paired with a compatible smartphone) help you keep in touch on the go, while sport watch functions offer estimated wrist-based heart...

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Garmin D2 Delta PX is a premium smartwatch designed for pilots and flying enthusiasts.

This GPS aviator watch comes loaded with several aviation features such as automatic flight logging, dynamic color mapping, automatic flight alerts, and airport data.

The watch is renowned for its flight navigation capabilities, and it supports various satellite navigation systems.

Even though most planes have an integrated navigation system, the Garmin D2 Delta PX can act as a backup option.

Moreover, the battery lasts for 20 days in watch mode and 18 hours in GPS mode.

Top features

  • True GPS-based flight system.
  • Pulse OX sensor monitors oxygen levels at higher altitudes.
  • Built-in worldwide airport database.
  • Flight plan synchronization support.

Pros

  • Rugged design for enhanced durability.
  • Long battery life of up to 20 days.
  • Music capabilities with storage for 500 songs.

Cons

  • The watch is pricey.

Garmin D2™ Delta S

Garmin D2 Delta S, Smaller-sized GPS Pilot Watch, Includes...
  • Smaller-sized GPS aviator watch with dynamic color mapping, NEXRAD weather (when paired with a compatible smartphone), automatic flight logging and alerts for...
  • Synchronize with your Avionics for enhanced GPS navigation and mapping data
  • Smart notifications (when paired with a compatible smartphone) help you keep in touch on the go, while Sport watch functions offer estimated wrist-based heart...

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

If you’re a professional pilot, you need a smartwatch that’ll give you all the info you need on your wrist. The Garmin D2 Delta S delivers an excellent job, thanks to its impressive features.

Like most Garmin watches for aviation, the D2 Delta S offers automatic flight logging, which helps track your flights soon after takeoff.

It comes loaded with a built-in database containing info from airports worldwide. Pilots can also access the latest weather reports via NEXRAD.

The highlight of this watch is its routing functions and ability to navigate flight plans with relative ease.

It has two dedicated buttons that you can use to find the nearest airport or select the waypoint of your choice for direct flights.

Top features

  • Flight Stream 510 connects to cockpit avionics seamlessly.
  • Supports GPS mode and dynamic color mapping.
  • Multisport features for physiological metrics.

Pros

  • Relatively long battery life of 7 days.
  • Live tracking features.
  • Customizable apps and watch faces.
  • Music capabilities.

Cons

  • Poor screen resolution.

Garmin D2™ Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch

Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium Pilot Watch
  • Thinner, lighter, more evolved GPS pilot watch with band and bezel options and customizable face art to match your style
  • Features METAR and TAF screens for the latest aviation weather information at a glance
  • Dedicated Direct-to and Nearest buttons enabled by a worldwide airport database

Last update on 2024-03-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Garmin D2 Bravo Titanium is another premium GPS pilot watch worth checking out. The watch comes with exciting features that’ll keep you on your toes during your flight. 

Its built-in worldwide airport database ensures you don’t get lost when flying to your next destination and the Direct-to navigation ensures the flight doesn’t deviate from its course.

The watch also delivers the latest weather reports via METAR and TAF for preflight awareness.

You can track your activities outside the cockpit using the various multisport apps on the watch.

D2 Bravo can monitor your heart rate and fitness levels to keep you in top shape when not flying.

Also Read: 3 Best Garmin Watches for Sleep Tracking

Top features

  • Customizable data fields to display GPS speed and track.
  • Automatic flight logging for tracking flights.
  • Bluetooth Smart and ANT+ connectivity for data transfer and wireless connections.

Pros

  • Multisport app for fitness tracking.
  • Customizable displays, timers, apps, and watch faces.
  • Supports VIRB cameras to capture flight action.

Cons

  • No interactive touchscreen.

Final Thoughts

Our top pick for the best Garmin watch for Aviation is the Garmin D2 Air Aviator.

This premium watch comes with all the features you may need inside and outside the cockpit.

It can act as a reference for your inflight data, and you can use it to monitor your health and general wellbeing at higher altitudes.

Also read: 6 Best SmartWatche for a Construction Worker

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