Accessories GPS watches

[WBDluver]

Anyone here use a GPS style watch like Garmin or Suunto. Im looking at the Suunto Traverse for hiking, hunting etc and would like to hear from actual users before i pull the trigger.

Thaks

 

[cms829]

Anyone here use a GPS style watch like Garmin or Suunto. Im looking at the Suunto Traverse for hiking, hunting etc and would like to hear from actual users before i pull the trigger.

Thaks

I have the Garmin Fenix 2. I think if you are looking to the device more as a gps for direction, you are better off to use a true handheld gps. I dont use mine fishing (aside for keeping track of time) and I dont hunt anymore, but I am a ski mountaineer/rock & ice climber and use it for that. I have had success setting waypoints and tracks using the map software. I have yet had to really rely on it to find my way. I use it more to keep track of distance of my route. At 1 AM up in the white mountains mid Feb, its nice to know how far you have to go till you get to the cabin. It has worked great for that and I have had zero accuracy problems. I have actually been surpirsed at how close my Most of this is near or above treeline and I haven't used it much in dense forest so cant comment on gps accuracy in that regard.

I do have certain points stored in it in case of emergency, such as avalanche cache's and the cabins up north. If need be, I am confident it would get me to where I need to be as a last resort. However for hiking/hunting it would probably serve you better to buy a purpose built gps unit. Unless you will utilize the other functions of the watches - I use mine in ski mode to track ascent/descent (but I dont actually do anything with the data aside from think its cool to know). I have used it to track mileage while biking and have stored waypoints in there to know how much further I have to go to certain points, etc. I have used the heart rate strap to check out my heart rate when I (rarely) run.

To me its more of a cool tech toy that I always know I that if the crap hit the you know what, I could utilize it as a tool in life or death circumstances while climbing/ski touring. (Notice I didn't say "rely" on it")

Just my 2 cents. I would consider how you would utilize it and all of its function before dropping a pretty hefty amount of money on one. Any questions - let me know. PS - Ive found battery life on the fenix 2 pretty darn good. Unless I forget to turn off the gps while settled down for the night.

 

[MACFLY]

Anyone here use a GPS style watch like Garmin or Suunto. Im looking at the Suunto Traverse for hiking, hunting etc and would like to hear from actual users before i pull the trigger.

Thaks

Oh good lord don't you know how to read a terrain map and use a compass. What's next a 500 dollar walking stick?

 

[WBDluver]

I have a hand held Garmin Oregon but was just looing to reduce weight when backpacking and hunting. Instead of a watch and Gps just one unit also. Thanks for the feedback

 

[WBDluver]

Oh good lord don't you know how to read a terrain map and use a compass. What's next a 500 dollar walking stick?

if that was all it did then i would not need it. I realize you do not need such devices because you rarely are out of sight of the car when you fish. I need it so i can follow DC down the river and mark all his spots.

Come to think of it, you have a very expensive walking stick. It was that Italian bamboo rod you bought at the show. I heard that Beetle had to take you to the casting pool and show you how to use it.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

I'd make sure I had enough weight wiggle room to include a topo and a Silva Ranger. You know just in case of, well you know how batteries go dead at the most inappropriate times.

 

[MACFLY]

You need it cause you couldn't find your ass with both hands if your life depended on it. That's ok. I will teach you the art of land navigation. When I am done you will be able to be dropped into a remote jungle in Honduras with nothing but a butter knife and a snickers bar and you will be able to find your way to safety

 

[lightenup]

Don't listen to them ddluver.....Mac almost got shoved in an oven when his crumb trail got eaten by rabbits.....

 

[WBDluver]

thanks i usually do. I never trust anything with a battery. But these do more than just GPS. Can monitor heart rate when i drag out those big bucks, have text and email alerts so you just have to look at your wrist instead of digging out your phone while up in my stand. Most of these things are done with a handheld GPS but you have to dig it out of your coat or hip belt when you hike or hunt. The only time i really needed a handheld GPS was when i hunt in Colorado or Wyoming.

 

[MACFLY]

Don't listen to them ddluver.....Mac almost got shoved in an oven when his crumb trail got eaten by rabbits.....

This coming from the guy who gets lost on his way to his car in the parking lot.

 

[lightenup]

This coming from the guy who gets lost on his way to his car in the parking lot.

I got one of them beepy things on my key.....it's easy to find...

 

[MACFLY]

I got one of them beepy things on my key.....it's easy to find...

Liar!!!! Yugos don't have beepy things

 

[lightenup]

Liar!!!! Yugos don't have beepy things

Speaking from experience MAC?