A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE ON BUYING THE PERFECT GPS WATCH:
Whether you are an athlete, swimmer, hunter, into hiking and skiing or even if you are an urban explorer, GPS watch will simplify most of your complexities. GPS watch strapped on your hand will be way more effective then cellphones, smartwatches, fitness trackers combined(for above-mentioned fields).
INTRODUCTION TO GPS WATCHES:
GPS watches mainly serve two main purposes i.e Fitness and Tracking. A GPS watch can be your compass, Altimeter, Barometer and much more.
If you are a little imaginative and have a good quality GPS watch on your wrist then you can measure the distance you covered, digitally bookmark any desirable location, measure the distance between two points, have a bird-eye look of your surroundings in case you are lost in thick woods or congested alleys.
UTILITY OF GPS WATCH:
GPS watches have a very wide range of functions. Some examples are explained below.
FOR ATHLETES:
Whether you are a runner, swimmer or cycling enthusiast, GPS watches are an indispensable requirement for you. It can depict you your live location, The distance covered in a certain time, even your heartbeat rate and stamina.
They also have pre-loaded courses to help you stay fit and healthy. You won’t require the assistance of any sort from any app. GPS watch has got it all covered for you.
FOT SPORTSMEN:
If you are a golf player or then GPS watch should also be in your golf bag along with clubs and golf balls. It will save you from a lot of hassle by giving you precise locations and distance to bring the best golf game out of you. Some of the more advanced GPS watches are usually illegal in Golf tournaments. If you don’t use features like wind information and swing metrics then it won’t be a problem.
FOR HUNTING:
GPS watch can be your biggest aid in hunting any game. You can bookmark the locations where you spotted the game. Being lost in the pursuit of your game is a common practice for hunters but a GPS watch will relieve all of such worries. Every veteran hunter out there stresses the necessity of GPS watches for hunting.
FOR TOURISTS:
The biggest fear in exploring any new destination is the fear of getting lost. But with the GPS watch strapped to your wrist, you can roam in slim alleys, thick forests, tall skyscrapers and will still find the way back to your hotel without even a slight inconvenience.
PROS OF GPS WATCH:
DURABILITY:
GPS watches are built to endure sturdy conditions. They are generally very durable and can withstand high pressures and impacts. Most of these watches are also water-resistant.
COMFORT:
GPS watches are usually very comfortable. These watches rest on your wrists in such a serene way that even you won’t feel them. Synthetic fibre is mostly used in their straps to make them comfortable and durable at the same time.
BATTERY:
If you buy a below average watch ranging between $150 and $200, It will easily have a battery life of 8-10 hours. Most of the average GPS watches usually last between 20-200 hours from a single charge.
Moreover, Most of these watches have a solar charging system which further reduces the chance of battery running low during any venture.
FEATURES:
The number of features is directly proportional to the amount of cost and vice versa. Most of the basic watches usually contain Barometer, Altimeter, compass along with a steady GPS.
Features in high-end watches are a little bit more advanced. Such watches usually come with a built-in accelerometer. They also notify you with run/walk alerts. Some watches also have already programmed courses to keep your fitness in check. You won’t need the help from an instructor or an app. They also can check your pulse for you and also let you know about the improvements that you made along the way.
CONS OF GPS WATCHES:
SIGNALS INHERENCE:
If you are in a very dense forest or under large buildings then your GPS watches might not work properly. GPS signals originate from the satellites and their path is obstructed by such large bodies. You might face such problems but your watch will let you know if it loses the signals.
NOTIFICATIONS:
Unlike most smartwatches, it doesn’t offer its users the freedom to look at its notification while running or swimming. These watches can be connected to your mobile but show you the notifications of only certain apps, mainly fitness related.
CONCLUSION:
The price range for GPS watches start from $150 and can reach up to $13000., This will give you a rough estimate of how much diversity and variety this genre can offer. So keep the pros, cons, and your budget in mind before heading out to buy otherwise you will end up getting confused.