Being a hunter, you know how important tricks, gadgets, and techniques can be. A good hunting watch can surely make your experience a whole lot better. It’s all about the timing after all. We’ve run through 5 of the best hunting watches below.
Before you move on to the next section, give the following table a read. We summarized our favourite picks in it.
Our Pick
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The SUUNTO is the best hunting watch we’ve seen. The Finish brand is a pro at making pieces for the outdoors. It comes with shot detection technology that doesn’t just sound fancy but packs quite the punch. It helps you keep track of your shots through its navigation system. It also time stamps them which is handy.
Finding your way out of a large forest is a piece of cake with the Alpha. It utilizes GLONASS along with global positioning, giving you an automatic breadcrumb trail.
It couldn’t have snagged our number 1 spot if it wasn’t very durable. Its face rocks a sapphire glass display. If you weren’t aware, it is the toughest lens out there. The watch is a gift that keeps on giving as its front has additional layers of scratch resistance. It also has a red LED backlight that makes it easy to use when it's dark out.
As a hunter, you’re getting down and dirty all the time. How could you do this with a shiny, expensive-looking piece on your wrist? Look no further as the watch not only looks like a million bucks, but it can handle whatever you throw at it. For starters, it’s water resistant up to 330 feet (100 m). Such depths are suitable for snorkeling. Its nylon textile strap is tough and waterproof. The latter lets you get rid of any muck you may have encountered.
The best units for hunting come with altimeters and barometers. Its barometer helps you track pressure changes in the air, letting you make note of future weather conditions. Meanwhile, its altimeter helps you track altitudes which can be useful for climes. It hosts a triple sensor as there is a compass too.
You can’t be on a hunting trip and have your smartwatch die on you. The device has a battery capacity of 14 days. This will make your trips easier. Something else that will do the trick is its moon phase calendar. Knowing the phases of the moon is key when hunting deer.
Of course:
The product looks great . I mean look at it – it’s rugged yet chic. Its bezel comes with a unique texture that adds to its look. The bezel isn’t just for show as the stainless steel on it was knurled, helping it be shock resistant.
The Alpha can handle some steamy hunting conditions. We know you might not always hunt in chilly forests but humid swamps too. No need to fret as it has a max temperature capability of 60 c (140 F).
What makes it special:
Its automatic shot detection technology.
The Most Durable
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Casio is known for their affordability. That’s why the Pro Trek is one of the most budget friendly entries on our list.
It’s a resin watch for outdoorsmen . It is exactly the material you need . Not only is it soft, but it’s very easy to clean - much easier than Nylon. What’s more, it’s strong.
There is a resin case as welll. It has a bit of a matte effect, which makes it look expensive. Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty with it. The Trek meets the US Department of Defense’s military standards. This means it can handle the harshest settings.
Boasting such durability, you’d expect it have considerable water resistance. It disappoints as it’s only resistant up to 165 feet (50 m) . These depths are just enough for casual swimming.
Can we talk about its GPS system? Casio did come to play. You have many map types to choose from. They help you easily track yourself.
When in the woods, the manufacturer knows how hard hunters struggle with getting a good signal . That’s why you can download your maps beforehand, in full colour.
Its global positioning system is superb as you can even place voice memos on certain locations, marking them on your map. You could do this with specialized icons too.
What’s more, its GPS links with the activity’s app. It shows you what you’re doing, and how well you’re doing it. For example, how fast you’re cycling from location A to B.
We have to say, though:
Its battery power is disappointing. You can expect half a day from it at most. Thankfully, there is a superb battery saving mode for you to utilize.
It can get pretty bright outside. You won't be squinting at the Trek as it comes with an OLED digital display. As a result, colours pop and glare will never be an issue. Its powerful screen is one of the reasons its battery drains so fast. Is this a fair trade off? We think so.
Sensor wise, a barometric altimeter and digital compass are present.
Touching on its display again, it's a touchscreen. What's even better is the sunrise and sunset feature it comes with. The data it provides would help plan the right time for hiking, fishing and many more activities during your little hunting adventure.
What makes it special:
Its durability.
The Garmin Tactix Bravo is very wrist watch like. At first glance, we didn't realize it was a GPS smartwatch. It is known for its thorough navigation system, giving you the best routes.
This watch for the outdoorsman comes with an altimeter and barometer. As discussed, barometers inform you about the weather. This results in a prepared hunter. A compass is available as well.
You get nylon on its strap, which is tough. It's especially useful as the nylon on the device is waterproof.
Speaking of water, let’s talk about its resistance rating. It’s similar to the SUUNTO in our top spot, coming with 330 feet (100 m) of resistance. Whatever you do, do not dive with it. The brand strongly advises against this.
You probably have many tools to help with hunts. You might especially be a fan of your night vision goggles. You’d know that a timepiece's backlight can affect its performance, which is why the Tactix is so good. Its backlight was made to not get in your way.
Its design looks chic yet basic. Its plain look stops it from being too distracting.
We just have to talk about how durable it is. You're met with a sapphire crystal display. It isn’t the ordinary type, as the one on the Garmin is strengthened and domed. Its dial window is superb as you also get a Chroma Display. This means that glare will never be an issue - its readability is high
The manufacturer knurled its bezel to allow it to handle scratches and scruffs. There’s a DLC coating as well, adding some extra protection.
Being a smartwatch, it comes with countless features. There are so many goodies to talk about, but we think that its waypoint feature is the best. Let’s say you’re at point A and want to get to point B. You could shoot a waypoint to it, which would let you learn more about the location. You'd also get an easier route to it.
It's got a good battery. It'll last you around 2-3 days. We're pleased.
What makes it special:
Its chroma display.
Our Premium Pick
We love that it comes with a heart rate monitor. Wrist heart rate technology helps you monitor your acclimation to heights. The Pulse OX in it helps as well. It monitors carbon dioxide levels in your blood.
Battery life is very important when hunting. The device can last for 9 days once fully charged. Like any good smart device, it comes with a battery saver. This lets it last for over a month. It also comes with a GPS mode that lasts for 25 hours.
Of course, it comes with GPS tracking. It uses GLONASS, Galileo and regular global positioning to help with the trickiest environments. The unit also comes with an altimeter-barometer-compass feature to make not getting lost easier.
Remember how we mentioned that resin was a must have for hunting watches? Something better is silicone. It’s your lucky day as the FENIX's strap is made out of it. It’s the easiest to clean but wearing it for hours makes you sweat.
You're getting a regular strengthened front, Be careful. A silver lining is that its display can handle quite a bit of glare.
The FENIX 6S is expensive. It looks the part too. It has a glossy display, a polished stainless-steel bezel and case, as well as a silicone strap that makes it reminiscent of an Apple watch.
Let’s talk about its water resistance before we move on. It can handle 330 feet (100 m) underwater. We see no issues with this, do you?
What makes it special:
You can track acclimation.
We love SUUNTO which is why we had to place another one of their watches on our list. This entry is on the bottom of our review for a reason. Although it’s a good hunting piece, it doesn’t come with GPS capabilities.
Like its brother in the number 1 spot, it can handle harsh temperatures. It's able to work in locations up to 60 C (140 F). If you ever want to hunt in the desert, you know who to take.
It gives you the weather forecast through a trend graph, helping you avoid some disastrous hunting trips. The graph is great. But what's better is that there is a storm alarm too.
We love its sunset and sunrise feature. It has the sunrise/sunset times for over 400 locations which is jaw dropping.
We're a fan of silicone watches. The material is seen in the SUUNTO Core. However, its display lets us down. You get a mineral crystal. It won’t be able to handle roughing and toughing it in the wilderness. Its case is durable, though. It is carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber also has this matted effect to it, which we love. It exudes a luxury that anyone would appreciate.
Once again, you get a plain watch. This isn’t a surprise as you want a timepiece that won’t grab a lot of attention. You also see a barometer and an altimeter on it.
It is water resistant. Before you get your hopes up, it’s not by much. It can only handle 100 feet (30 m) underwater. It's enough to handle the rain.
Its bezel is made from aluminum. It can withstand a multitude of scruffs. It also hosts a North and South indicator. The indicators are a part of a compass.
Battery-wise, things are bad. Depending on who you speak to, they’ll tell you different things about how long the watch can last for. You'll have to change its batteries every 9 months, though.
What makes it special:
Its carbon fiber case.
You just found some great watches for outdoorsman. Although you’re more than ready to make a purchase, the below section is a must read. We’ve answered a range of questions you might have.
We went through these points in our review, but let’s dive into the watch features in depth.
A good GPS feature is one of the most important things you have to look for. Even if you're a pro at reading a compass, Mother Nature may have a couple of surprises ahead. You may also be in new terrain, so getting lost is a real possibility. Good GPS tracking would also give you some great biking routes, and help you locate some ideal hunting spots.
Your hunting watch should be comfortable. Remember that you’ll be out and about for hours. You’re most likely going to be in the sun which is why a unit that comes with an uncomfortable strap won’t cut it.
You're going to meet with rain more than once. Your device must have a water resistance rating if you’re going to successfully hunt. It doesn't have to be able to handle heavy submersion, though.
You could easily dent your timepiece while hunting. That’s why it should be able to handle whatever you throw at it. To do this, it should have a dial that’s very scratch resistant. Your best bet is a sapphire dial window, as mentioned in our review. Its body and strap should also be able to take a beating - a silicone, nylon or resin band would be the best. A rubber strap would be fine as well.
Your buddies and you planned a long hunt. You'd want your device to be able to last the entire festivity.
The best outdoorsman watch would come with a myriad of additional features. These differ, but could be a calendar, countdown timer, stopwatch and dual-clock to tell the time in multiple cities.
Triple sensors are not optional, though. These would be a barometer compass and altimeter. Heart rate sensors would also be useful. And a feature for weather alerts would be nice but just a barometer might suffice.
We think solar powered pieces are good but not necessary. Utilizing sunlight would mean you never have to worry about charging their batteries. You can use them anywhere as even low light environments charge them. Unfortunately, none of the choices we discussed came with the capability.
If you want to be a successful hunter, wear your hunting watch all the time. It comes with many features, so training your way around them is a must. You'd be increasing the functionality of your watch much more. It can be especially tricky maneuvering its mapping. Being familiar with it will let you guide yourself better.
As you’ll be so aware of its features, you’d make note of anything that would create unwanted noises. Most notably, its alarms. Imagine how bad it would be if you accidentally kept setting it off when trying to hunt? Your prey would run off in the blink of an eye.
It may also have different backlights to help with lighting conditions, which you don't know of. You've only been using its default one!
Silicone straps are the easiest to take care of. They don’t require much cleaning except for a quick wipe. If you have a lot of dirt or blood on your piece, use a microfiber cloth to regularly wipe it down.
Make sure to charge its battery. You don’t want to be in the middle of nowhere and have your watch die on you.
Even if your device says it’s resistant up to 100 feet (30 m) underwater, do not test this out. Even though it can handle such depths, this is its maximum most water resistance. You’re not supposed to tell the time at such depths.
Without a doubt, the SUUNTO Alpha deserved the spot as our top pick. It wasn't the most expensive option on our list, yet it came with the most value. It was jam-packed with the best features. When you’re looking for the best GPS watches for hunting, this is what you want.
Most of the other watches for the outdoorsman gave it a run for its money. The majority of them rocked a similar build quality and GPS hunting features. So, our options all make for great purchases.
