Some people like to travel on their own in the wilderness, wandering this beautiful world without necessarily connecting with anyone. But sometimes your instincts can fool you if you can’t just rely on them and have no physical support at all. Well, nothing is impossible today in this advanced world where man is trying to reach Mars.
So, if you love hunting, skiing, hiking, swimming/diving, or just like to travel while outdoors, I have prepared a review of the best hunting watches that can be your companions on adventure trips and that you can always rely on.
But before we get to that, here’s a buying guide that’s sure to help you in choosing an outdoor smartwatch.
Hunting smartwatch buying guide
There are some aspects you should be aware of when taking into consideration before your purchase decision.
Military Standards (MIL-STD 819G).
This is actually a test done by the U.S. military to test the durability and reliability of products. Those products that can withstand these tests are considered well-built and durable.
Since you need a gadget for your travels, which includes hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and more. So, in all these harsh and severe conditions, not every wearable product can survive, so you should choose a smartwatch that is tested to these military standards for various tests including shock resistance, high/low pressure, temperature, and more.
Barometer
The weather forecast plays a very important role in hunting, fishing or any outdoor activities because sometimes even a small mention of bad weather is enough to keep you from being caught off guard.
The barometer actually measures air pressure, which you can use to get an idea of the twists and turns the weather may take on the day of the run.
GPS tracking.
Perhaps the most important factor to look for when looking for a hunting smartwatch, because there’s always a chance of getting lost in the woods. Specifically, GPS alone can do the job almost normally, but when a combination of GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo is used, it works like God’s eye, and the chance of you getting lost becomes zero.
Alarm clock and sunrise/sunset.
Instead of having your adventurous trip ruined by your sleep, an alarm clock to make sure you’re going as planned along with sunrise/sunset updates about different regions will always be helpful. Now without further ado, let’s get started.
The best hunting smartwatches
Suunto Traverse Alpha.
The Suunto Traverse Alpha can be your potential hunting partner and can be called the Best Hunting Smart Watch in the World right now, without any doubt.
It comes with a premium quality scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a solid knurled stainless steel bezel that gives it such a sporty G-shock look. It also comes with a sturdy nylon textile strap, which somehow has to be water-resistant. Overall, the design and screen are made to last, and it can withstand additional harsh conditions of any kind. The water resistance is up to 100 meters, making it as protected as possible when swimming.
Key feature:
- Extreme water resistance.
- Automatic shot detection
- Radio transceiver
- Altimeter and barometer
- Built-in compass and bearing lock
- Sunset/Sunrise and lunar calendar based on location
- Composite activity tracker
- Thermometer and chronograph
- GPS and GLONASS
- Discrete flashlight / red backlight
- Ringtone / text alerts
- Advantages
- Rugged, durable, rugged, and long-lasting
- Compatible with night vision goggles
- Dual positioning system makes the tracking game strong
- Gives vital warnings for planning your trip
- Perfect for hunting, fishing, etc. Д.
- Disadvantages
- There are problems in altered time zones
SKMEI Smartwatch.
If you’re looking for a cheap and affordable outdoor smartwatch that can withstand little harsh conditions and perform quite well, this is for you.
It has a sturdy construction and comes with a high-quality ABS plastic case with a matching and durable Hardlex crystal case. The case is 50 mm in diameter and 18 mm thick, which is quite enough. The straps are comfortable and 21mm long, and the stainless steel buckle provides a good fit.
Overall, the design is really solid, but it’s not very rugged or strong enough to withstand extreme environmental conditions, but despite that, it can withstand little harsh conditions and will be a good companion on your trip.
Key feature:
- altimeter
- Barometer
- Weather forecast
- Thermometer
- Activity Tracker
- Independent alarms and calendar
- Pedometer
- Digital compass
- Stopwatch/Countdown
Advantages of:
- Simple, compact design
- Basic activity tracker
- Weather Forecast
- Waterproof
Disadvantages:
- Can only be used for basic outdoor activities
- Very limited capabilities
GARMIN Instinct.
A solid design that can withstand additional rough conditions and can be your choice for your adventures.
The design as a whole is impeccable and has really good durability. The case is made of fiber-reinforced polymer, which makes it look durable and sturdy, while it’s beautiful, chemically reinforced, scratch-resistant display complements the whole class and accentuates its appearance. The display is quite nice and has a dual-window design with 128 x 128 pixels, making it easy to read in bright daylight, unlike some smart gadgets.
If you’re on a night hunt and wear night-vision goggles, Garmin has made sure it’s compatible in that state as well. By activating a night vision mode that actually reduces the backlighting to a point where it really doesn’t do anything wrong even if you’re wearing glasses. This is really important because you don’t have to take off your glasses every time you get directions with your GPS.
Featuring two independent Keeper loops, the Garmin comes with a silicone band that ensures your watch stays on your wrist as tightly as possible. Overall, the design is really stunning and is able to withstand any difficult circumstance.
Sensors:
- GPS / GLONASS
- GALILEO
- Barometric altimeter
- accelerometer
- Thermometer
- Heart rate monitor
- Key feature:
- Smart notifications
- Weather alerts
- Accurate tracking using GPS/GLONASS
- Three-axis compass
- Night vision mode
- Thermal/shockproof
- Waterproof
- Activity Tracking
- Sports Mode
- Hidden mode
Advantages
- Solid, durable design
- Easy-to-read display
- Night vision goggle compatible
- Accurate tracking
- Around the clock heart rate monitoring
Disadvantages
- Battery life needs improvement
- Very little storage space
Casio Pro-Trek.
A smartwatch designed specifically for outdoor activities, including fishing and gold, as well as GPS tracking.
Casio’s men’s Pro Trek model comes with a flat dial, consisting of a 1.32-inch TFT display with 320 x 300 pixels. The display is good, but it could be better, with a resolution that isn’t sharp enough, but it works properly and smoothly.
The watch is controlled by buttons that are designed to do certain tasks. You have to get used to using the buttons to get a deeper understanding of their functions. You can also access the various OS wear-and-tear apps with the large middle button and give commands to the Google Assistant.
Key feature:
- Smart notifications.
- Alarms/weather alerts
- altimeter
- Barometer
- Built-in compass
- Reminders / Stopwatch
- Dual positioning system
- Fishing and Gold app
- Waterproof
- Voice Control
- Color maps
- Offline mapping/navigation
Advantages
- Rugged design that lasts a long time
- The best companion for outdoor activities
- Appropriate apps for fishing and golf
- Autonomous and color mapping
- Convenient tracking dual positioning
Disadvantages
- No activity tracking
- No heart rate monitoring
- Kind of bulky design
You’ve seen 3 options that I think are perfect for all types of activity. I will also briefly show you a few more options that can suit both novice hunters and experienced hunters.
What are the best smartwatches for hunting in 2021?
- Suunto Traverse Alpha
- Garmin Fenix 5X Plus
- Casio G-Shock
- Casio Pathfinder
- Garmin Instinct
- Garmin Descent MK1
- Suunto 9
To conclude this article, I would say that all of the smartwatches listed above are good in one way or another in their functions, but you should always use the one that can effectively perform the desired job and requirements.
