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.