Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re a soldier or love adventures in remote areas, you need a smartwatch with military capabilities.
Many Garmin watches come with the ability to function in harsh environments. They help you navigate these areas by giving you directions, monitoring your vitals and facilitating communications with your family and friends
So, if you’re in military service, what should you look for in a Garmin Watch?
What To Look For When Buying A Watch For Military Use
GPS
Ensure your Garmin smartwatch comes with an in-built GPS tracker. Military duties can take you to remote areas, and you’ll need to track your movements. GPS functionality helps you track your location and tell you and other people where you are.
Some Garmin watches also feature advanced satellite navigation systems like GLONASS or Galileo.
Using accurate satellite tracking, you can determine your global positioning. Also, friends and family can easily track you and send assistance to your location where necessary.
Design
Your Garmin watch has to be sturdy but lightweight. Most Garmin watches come with scratch-proof gorilla glass screens that can withstand moderate to high impacts without cracking or breaking.
Ideally, your Garmin watch should come with leather or silicon rubber straps. A military watch should feel cozy around your wrist.
In addition, these watches often are rugged and dull-colored, which helps keep you camouflaged in natural or hostile environments.
Battery Life
A durable battery can be the difference between life and death on the battlefield. Garmin watches have an outstanding battery life, keeping your device on for days without recharging.
An innovative solar charging feature also helps your watch last longer. This capability helps you keep your watch running even where there’s limited access to electricity.
Garmin watches also charge fast, saving you hours of waiting to use it. Also, you can get up to 60 hours of use with GPS mode on, a spectacular feat even for a rugged smartwatch.
ABC sensors
ABC sensors are key features in a military watch. While on adventure or mission, these three sensors will help you determine elevations, monitor environmental pressure, and keep track of your current heading.
They are:
- An Altimeter that measures and collects data on ascents and descents
- A Barometer that helps you predict weather change and measures air pressure.
- A Compass that helps you monitor the direction of your travel.
You may have to calibrate these sensors before departing for an adventure as they help you gather essential information for your travel.
Connectivity
Your watch should link to your smartphone device. This feature helps you keep up with text, email, and call notifications directly on your wrist. You can use it as a standalone device without your phone.
Also, your smartwatch should support Google Voice Assistant or Alexa. Sometimes, you’ll use voice commands rather than touch to perform certain functions.
Best Garmin Watches For Military Use
Here are the best 3 Garmin watches for all your military needs.
Garmin Instinct Solar
- Vastly extended battery life through solar charging.Supported Application:GPS. Connectivity technology:GPS. Wireless comm standard:Bluetooth
- Rugged GPS Watch is water-rated to 100 meters and constructed to U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock and water resistance
- Built-in 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter plus multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, Glonass and Galileo) track in more challenging...
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Instinct Solar is one of Garmin’s most aggressive military watches. As its name denotes, you can charge using solar energy.
Its sturdy power management can keep this watch running for up to a month on Smartwatch Mode. Also, it features the scratch-resistant Corning Gorilla glass screen that can withstand moderate impact and display images in high contrast.
It has the following features:
- Stress tracking system that monitors your heart rate variability which helps you manage your response to stressful moments
- Advanced navigation satellite system that helps you keep track of your movements during your adventure in war zones and remote areas.
- Body battery energy monitor which helps you optimize your body’s energy reserves by using heart rate, stress and sleep data. You can also use these readings to determine when to be active and when to rest.
- ABC sensor that monitors the weather in advance and helps you prepare a temporary shelter or get to a secure location .
- Bluetooth connectivity that links your watch with your smartphone. You can also sync your watch to receive texts, calls, and emails notifications directly.
- It comes preloaded with Sports App activities such as swimming, running, biking,
What Do The Reviews Say?
Garmin instinct Solar has a favorable 4.7- star customer rating on Amazon. Here are the reasons people love this smartwatch:.
- Rugged design
- Shock, Thermal and Water resistant
- High-Contrast Screen Visibility
- Long battery life
- Comfortable and lightweight.
Pros
- Supports Solar charging
- Scratch-resistant gorilla glass
- Uses powerful navigation system
- Long-life battery
- Strong rubber watch bands
Cons
- No music storage
- Slightly expensive
Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar
- Solar Powered Multisport GPS Watch with large 1.4 inches display (36% larger than previous fenix models) uses the sun’s energy to extend battery life and...
- Enhanced estimated wrist heart rate and Pulse Ox to support advanced sleep monitoring and altitude acclimation at high elevations (this is not a medical device...
- Advanced training features include PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout your activity plus environmentally adjusted VO2 max and training status...
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you have a decent budget, then this watch has to be your top priority. It comes with rugged design features and a 1. 3-inchthick gorilla glass display.
It’s been tested to U.S military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, making it an exceptional watch for military use. The Fenix 6X watch also uses a solar charge to power its battery.
This watch features:
- Up to 14 days of battery life on smartwatch mode and close to 40 hours of use when set on GPS mode. The Fenix 6X also has customizable power manager modes for your own custom settings.
- Also features ABC sensors to track weather and air pressure, which helps you prepare for sudden weather or environmental changes.
- Has a Round-Trip Routing system that will suggest efficient routes that will bring you back to your starting point. In case you get lost, the Fenix 6X can help you navigate back.
- It has a music app that stores up to 2000 songs. Also, you can download and stream podcasts and songs directly to your watch from Spotify or Amazon music.
- Safety and tracking features that sense any peculiar incidents and send your location to emergency contacts for help.
- It features a hydration tracking reminder that will help you stay hydrated. You can estimate sweat loss after every activity and drink water to replenish yourself.
What Do Reviews Say?
Fenix 6X Pro Solar has a 4.5-star customer rating on Amazon and a 4.8-star rating on Best Buy. 88% of the buyers on Amazon recommend this smartwatch to their friends. People like it for these reasons:
- It gives you instant feedback
- Long battery life
- It can charge using the sun.
- Robust watch screen
- Safety and tracking features
Pros
- Water thermal and shock resistant
- Powerful navigation system and GPS
- Supports streaming your favorite music
- Lightweight design
- Large face display
Cons
- Expensive
Garmin Forerunner 55
- Easy-to-use running watch monitors heart rate (this is not a medical device) at the wrist and uses GPS to track how far, how fast and where you’ve run.Special...
- Battery life: up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode; up to 20 hours in GPS mode
- Plan your race day strategy with the PacePro feature (not compatible with on-device courses), which offers GPS-based pace guidance for a selected course or...
Last update on 2024-04-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This device is a recent addition to Garmin’s Forerunner series of watches. Also, it’s quite affordable for people with a lower budget. It’s quite popular as it has almost all the features that other expensive Garmin watches have.
Let’s see what makes this watch suitable for military use.
- Has a GPS tracker that keeps tabs on your time, distance, pace, and speed during your run or walks.
- Comes with a wrist-based heart rate tracker that monitors your heart rate during activities and rest. This tracker warns you of any complications or erratic readings.
- Its battery can last up to 2 weeks in smartwatch mode and up to 20 hours in GPS mode.
- You can use Bluetooth to connect your watch to your smartphone. Doing this helps you receive and manage emails, text and calls directly on your wrist.
- Like the Fenix 6X, this watch also features safety and tracking features. In case of an emergency, your smartwatch sends a distress message with your location to your emergency contacts for assistance.
- It comes with a Music App and supports streaming of music from apps like Spotify and Deezer
What the reviews say
Being a fresh addition to the market, it currently has a 5-star rating on Amazon. It still has relatively fewer buyers, but they are satisfied with its performance and reliability.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Long battery life
- Gives Suggested workout
- Slightly cheaper
- Connects with other compatible Garmin devices for better data tracking
- Supports solar charging
Cons
- No onboard music storage
Final Thoughts
Garmin Watches are excellent tools for military uses. Their ability to give accurate GPS readings and offer reliable GLONASS and Galileo satellite navigation makes them unparalleled as watches for soldiers.
Unique ABC sensors and battery life make these devices innovative. Rugged camo bands make these smartwatches ideal for stealth, especially in the jungle. Pick one and set out for your next adventure or tour.
