If you’re reading this, maybe you’ve been asking yourself for a while: Which Garmin watch should I get?

The answer depends on how you’re planning on using it. But luckily for you, whether you’re looking for a smartwatch with essential wellness tracking features, advanced running metrics, rich mapping details for your outdoor adventures, premium golf features or even a smartwatch with SOS messaging¹, you’ll find what you need with Garmin.

That said, we know we have a lot of options. If you can’t decide which Garmin watch is best for you, look no further. We’re going to explain each of our watch options.

Perfect for essential wellness tracking

Lily^® 2 Active: This small and stylish smartwatch has a metal case with a hidden display (just tap it to reveal the bright display) and essential wellness features — including heart rate, Body Battery energy monitoring, sleep tracking and women’s health features — to give you a more complete picture of your health².

• Battery life: Up to 9 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 38 mm
• Display type: Liquid crystal hidden behind a patterned lens that blends in with the watch colors

Perfect for wellness tracking and hitting the gym

vívoactive^® 6: This smartwatch offers a bright AMOLED display and a variety of health and fitness features — so you can monitor your health in and out of the gym. vívoactive 6 includes more than 80 preloaded sports apps so you can stay on top of your fitness. You can also use Garmin Coach running and strength training plans — some of which adapt based on performance, recovery and health metrics.

• Battery life: Up to 11 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 42 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for tracking your wellness, workouts and fitness metrics

Venu^® 4: With detailed health and fitness insights, the ECG app³, a bright AMOLED display, a built-in speaker and microphone (to make and take calls from the watch when paired with a smartphone and connected to the phone’s voice assistant), Garmin Coach and dozens of sports apps, Venu 4 is ready to help you serve looks — or serve on the pickleball court. Plus, light your way with the built-in LED flashlight. The advanced health and fitness features — including skin temperature tracking² for more accurate period predictions and past ovulation estimates⁴ — can help you better understand your body and make healthier decisions. It also offers a sophisticated metal design and two size options.

• Battery life: Up to 12 days on the 45 mm size in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 41 mm or 45 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for wellness-minded runners, multisport athletes and gym rats

Venu X1: This premium GPS smartwatch features an easy-to-read 2” AMOLED display with a scratch-resistant sapphire lens — and our thinnest watch case. Venu X1 offers detailed health and fitness insights as well as advanced running features and mapping. It includes a built-in LED flashlight as well as a built-in speaker and microphone. Whether you’re training with Garmin Coach, recovering on off days or navigating a new running route, you can trust Venu X1.

• Battery life: Up to 8 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 41 x 46 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for new runners

Forerunner 70/Forerunner 170 Music: When you’re getting started as a runner, you need a watch with essential training features to cross the finish line. That’s where the Forerunner 70 and Forerunner 170 Music come into play. Along with built-in GPS for time, distance and pace, long battery life, sleep monitoring and wrist-based heart rate², these Forerunners curate daily suggested workouts that match performance and recovery after every run. Plus, take advantage of beginner-friendly Garmin Coach training plans with run-walk workouts in the Garmin Connect app. If you want to quickly set up a running workout based on your available training time and desired intensity level, the quick workout feature will create a workout for you.

When you have the Forerunner 170 music, download your favorite songs, podcasts and more to listen with your wireless headphones from your watch (subscription may be required). If you need to refuel, stop for a mid-run snack, water or gel, and use Garmin Pay contactless payments to pay from your wrist⁵.

It’s time to sign up for that 5K when you have a Foreunner 70 or 170 Music on your wrist.

• Battery life: Forerunner 70 up to 13 days and Forerunner 170 Music up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for advanced runners

Forerunner 570: Let’s up your running game. You need training status, training readiness, multi-band GPS support and adaptive training plans from Garmin Run Coach. Forerunner 570 includes a built-in speaker and microphone, an aluminum bezel and advanced running features.

• Battery life: Up to 11 days on the 47 mm size
• Case size: 42 mm or 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for runners and multisport athletes who want a premium watch

Forerunner 970: With a sapphire crystal lens, titanium bezel and longer battery life for intense training, Forerunner 970 is ready for your next long run or bike ride. Train for your next race — whether that’s a marathon, half-marathon or even triathlon — or improve your fitness with adaptive training plans from Garmin Coach. It also adds a wealth of advanced running features, such as running tolerance, which can recommend weekly maximum mileage. When you also train with your heart rate monitor such as HRM 600, the running economy feature will show your overall energy efficiency while running. This feature also includes data such as step speed loss, which shows how much you slow down when your foot hits the ground. There is a built-in LED flashlight, speaker and microphone, and more upgrades to help you take your sport to the next level. (You can compare all of our running smartwatches here).

• Battery life: Up to 15 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for multisport athletes who love outdoor adventures

fēnix 8: This is our premium GPS multisport smartwatch. The purpose-built design includes a dive-rated build with leakproof metal buttons, a metal sensor guard, a titanium bezel, a built-in LED flashlight, and speaker and microphone. You’ll get all the health and wellness monitoring features you already love as well as training, planning and analysis features you can rely on. The fēnix 8 Series offers a bright AMOLED display or a solar charging display.

• Battery life: Up to 29 days in smartwatch mode on the AMOLED 51 mm size or up to 48 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging⁶ on the 51 mm size
• Case size: 43 mm, 47 mm and 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or solar charging with a sunlight-readability, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP) display

Perfect for athletes and explorers who want to stay connected on the go

fēnix 8 Pro: This smartwatch with SOS messaging takes everything you love about fēnix 8 and adds inReach^® technology for satellite and cellular connectivity¹. When connected to the LTE network, you can use LiveTrack to share your location with loved ones. You can also use fēnix 8 Pro to send 30-second voice messages as well as make and take phone calls from other fēnix 8 Pro users or those using the Garmin Messenger app on their smartphone¹. With inReach connectivity, you can send and receive text messages with friends and family using the Garmin Messenger app on their smartphone or compatible Garmin smartwatch. When you trigger an SOS message on your fēnix 8 Pro, it sends a message with satellite or cellular connectivity to Garmin Response℠, our 24/7-staffed international emergency coordination center that connects you to help if you need it. Plus, you’ll have the option of a MicroLED display that delivers up to 4,500 nits, making it the brightest smartwatch display ever built. (Learn more about the differences between fēnix 8 and fēnix 8 Pro.)

• Battery life: Up to 27 days in smartwatch mode on the AMOLED 51 mm size or up to 10 days in smartwatch mode with the MicroLED display
• Case size: 47 mm and 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or MicroLED

Perfect for runners who want the ultimate endurance watch

Enduro 3: Built for the longest runs on earth, Enduro 3 is the ultraperformance GPS smartwatch you’ve been looking for. It features a built-in LED flashlight, preloaded TopoActive maps, point-to-point navigation and solar power for extreme battery life. You’ll also get up to 320 hours of battery life in GPS mode with solar charging⁷.

• Battery life: Up to 36 days in smartwatch mode or up to 90 days with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 51 mm
• Display type: Solar charging with a sunlight-visible, transflective MIP display

Perfect for outdoor adventurers who want a rugged watch

Instinct^® 3: With a metal-reinforced bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer case and a scratch-resistant display for extreme durability, Instinct 3 is purpose-built for adventurers who love enjoying the great outdoors. It also features a built-in LED flashlight, multiple sizes and a solar option that can bring you up to unlimited battery life⁶. Plus, you can get this watch packed with tactical features, including night vision capability, rucking activity, stealth mode (which collects distances and biometrics without recording location data), projected waypoints and many more.

• Battery life: Up to 24 days in smartwatch mode on the 50 mm size or up to unlimited battery life with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 45 mm and 50 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or a solar charging, monochrome, sunlight- readability and transflective MIP display

Perfect for those who need a tactical watch built for the mission

tactix® 8: This next-gen tactical smartwatch offers leakproof buttons, a sensor guard, a titanium bezel and a scratch-resistant sapphire lens for extreme durability. tactix 8 features a built-in LED flashlight with a white (disabled in night vision mode) or green beam (which becomes dimmable in night vision mode). It also includes tactical features such as rucking, jumpmaster activity, waypoint project, dual-position GPS format, stealth mode, kill switch, Applied Ballistics^® solver, compatibility with night vision goggles, a dedicated tactical activity and more.

• Battery life: Up to 29 days in smartwatch mode on the 51 mm size or up to 48 days with solar charging⁶
• Case size: 47 mm or 51 mm
• Display type: AMOLED or solar charging with a sunlight-readable, transflective MIP display

Perfect for golfers looking for essentials

Approach S44: You’ll get all the golfing essentials — and then some — with the Approach S44 GPS golf smartwatch, including the green view feature to see each green’s shape from anywhere on the course and AutoShot game tracking to automatically track where your shots land⁹. Plus, with a Garmin Golf membership, you can get premium features such as Premium CourseView maps, touch targeting and green contour data.

• Battery life: Up to 15 hours in GPS mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for on and off the golf course

Approach S50: This advanced GPS smartwatch helps you easily see key yardages to the green, hazards and layups on more than 43,000 courses. Thanks to the PlaysLike Distance feature, you can see how far each shot is playing with yardage adjusted for elevation changes. (Don’t forget to add on a Garmin Golf membership for access to even more features). You’ll also get essential health and wellness features as well as preloaded activities to help you improve your strength and mobility.

• Battery life: Up to 10 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 43 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Perfect for golfers who want premium features

Approach S70: This premium GPS golf smartwatch comes in two sizes and can help you improve your game on and off the course. With the virtual caddie feature (which includes a dispersion chart that displays hazards in play, depending on club choice), enhanced PlaysLike Distance (which accounts for changes in elevation and environmental conditions), club suggestions based on performance and wind⁹, and preloaded fitness apps for strength, running and more, golfers will have everything they need. (Need to dive deeper on our golf watches? Learn more about your golf smartwatch options).

• Battery life: Up to 16 days in smartwatch mode
• Case size: 42 mm or 47 mm
• Display type: AMOLED

Now that you’ve got a better idea of our options, it’s time to choose which Garmin watch is best for your needs. You can browse our full selection of smartwatches.

¹_{Active subscription required; LTE network coverage and satellite connectivity are not available in all countries. Check Garmin.com/fenix8ProCoverage to see which services are accessible in your area — or in countries to where you may be traveling; some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of satellite communication devices. It is the responsibility of the user to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the device is intended to be used.}

²_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

³_{The ECG app is only available on select Garmin smartwatches with the latest version of the Garmin Connect smartphone app and watch software. The ECG app is not available in all regions; see Garmin.com/ecg for availability. The ECG app is only intended for adults aged 22 years and over. The ECG app is capable of recording an ECG similar to a Lead I ECG and detecting the presence of atrial fibrillation or normal sinus rhythm.}

⁴_{The menstrual cycle tracking feature should not be used in support of conception, contraception or birth control. This is not a medical device and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or monitoring of any medical condition.}

⁵_{View current supported country, payment network and issuing bank information}

⁶_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

⁷_{Assumes continuous use for entire period in 50,000 lux conditions}

⁸_{Lie and ball contact may affect shot tracking. Putts are not tracked. Some shots, particularly chip shots around the green, may not be tracked.}

⁹_{When paired with your smartphone}

The post Which Garmin smartwatch is right for me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Growing up, Sidney spent a lot of his time outdoors. His dad would take him on hunting trips, and his family vacations often came in the form of a night spent under the stars. But unlike other kids, doing some of his favorite activities proved more challenging for him.

When Sidney was in the 5^th grade, he was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a genetic disorder that would lead to a double amputation of both his legs at 32.

“I started developing a kind of muscular dystrophy inside my legs from the knee down,” Sidney said. “Trying to play sports was harder. Recess, hiking, going hunting, those kinds of things became harder as a kid.”

The disease caused his feet to disfigure, which led to leg braces. In 2015, the disease had developed to the point where amputation was needed.

“I did the left foot first because my house is a little older and I didn’t have wide enough doors for a wheelchair,” Sidney said. “Plus, I wanted to get to work. I still had a job, and I wasn’t on disability or anything like that.”

Quickly after the amputation, his left leg became infected, and doctors needed to amputate even more of his leg. Sidney was demoralized.

“I went through a series of frustrations, depressions and fear,” Sidney said. “I had a job I had to get back to. This was very much a financial burden for me and my family.”

Aware that his right leg would also eventually need to be amputated, Sidney decided to avoid a third surgery and opted to have both legs removed at the same time. By the end of the year, he became both a single and double amputee.

Training for a triathlon

As Sidney started the healing and recovery process, a new interest sparked.

“I was watching TV and a long-distance triathlon was on,” Sidney said. “I just thought it was amazing, and I was telling people that I was going to do one.”  

Committed to learning how to walk and bike with prosthetics and swim without them, Sidney competed in a series of small triathlons and half-distance triathlons before competing in his first full triathlon in 2019.

To his surprise, growing up with braces helped him adapt to the pain of his new prosthetics much quicker.

“I was able to push through it because of living with the pain with my disease,” Sidney said. “Pain just became a friend of mine, and I recognized it, so it wasn’t something foreign to me.”

Throughout Sidney’s training, he used a plethora of Garmin products to help him reach the finish line. He began his training with a Garmin Forerunner® triathlete smartwatch. By race day, he had upgraded to a fēnix® 7 multisport GPS watch and Garmin heart rate monitor – a crucial component to his training.

“I had a coach that gave me a plan and instead of tracking distance, I kept at a certain heart rate and RPM for a period of time,” Sidney said. “I was able to track it all on my watch.”

Plus, Sidney said he was able to keep his pace when swimming in open water with his Garmin smartwatch.  

On the hunt

As Sidney’s gotten older, his love for hunting has grown. Sidney now runs Disabled Outdoorsmen Utah, a nonprofit dedicated to providing experiences for other outdoorsmen with disabilities.   

“It wasn’t until after I lost my legs that I became more obsessed with it, and it became more of a lifestyle,” Sidney said.

When preparing for a hunting trip, Sidney makes sure to strap on various Garmin devices. Hiking rugged terrains can be harsh on his prosthetics, so much so that the pressure of going downhill has caused them to break. Now he keeps a Garmin inReach® satellite communicator¹ on his binocular harness so he can get in contact with his hunting buddies and loved ones at home when he doesn’t have cell service.

Although he’s not training for a triathlon in the woods, he also brings along Garmin tactix® 8 — a smartwatch purpose-built to endure intense outdoor excursions. By bringing his smartwatch along, he’s able to tag his favorite spots.

“It’s so much easier to mark waypoints on my watch versus pulling up my phone and tagging it,” Sidney said.

This hunting season, Sidney plans to bring an extra Garmin device along — his Xero® L60i laser rangefinder².

Beneficial to hunters, Sidney said that the L60i can help hunters find the best path to the animal or shed they have glassed up. Using the visual recall feature, he can hike more direct routes while keeping an eye on his target.

“This is old school, but before when I would locate shed or animal, I didn’t want to lose that spot, so I just kept my nose straight and would follow the trail straight down,” Sidney said. “If I deviated, I was going to miss my mark.”

Instead of hiking a clear path, Sidney would climb through brush and other obstacles, concerned that he would lose the animal if he was standing from a different perspective.

To lock in on shed, features like Laser Locate and sensor locate make it easier to range potential targets and find your way there.

“Let’s say a mule deer is on another hillside 1,000 yards away. I am not going to take a 1,000-yard shot, but if the opportunity presents itself to get closer to that animal, I will take it,” Sidney said.  

Using Laser Locate, Sidney can mark a waypoint on any potential target and see how far away it is. If he wants to range the distance between the animal and a different ledge, the built-in measure feature lets him range the distance between the two points.

“Now that I’ve ranged that mule deer and where that point is, it can tell me the distance of what that shot’s going to be,” Sidney said. “So, now let’s say that’s 400 yards. Boom, that’s doable.”

If he sees an animal or tree in the distance that’s beyond what can be ranged using Laser Locate, he can use sensor locate. Because of built-in GPS, compass, inclinometer and topo maps, the rangefinder can display the projected waypoint and predicted distance.

From precision hunting to competing in the ultimate race, Sidney Smith has a relentless passion for the outdoors. And with Garmin technology by his side, he’s found the perfect companion for every adventure.

Ready to take on your next adventure? Browse our line-up of fitness and outdoor devices.

¹_{Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws}.

²_{Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit the use of electronic rangefinders for hunting. Always know and obey all state hunting regulations before using this device.}

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There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding the perfect wearable companion for your runs, but how do you get there?

Because we’ve been in the smartwatch game for quite some time, it’s no secret we have tons of options to help you reach your goals — but don’t worry. If you’re not sure which Garmin smartwatch is right for you, we’ve got you covered. From novice runners to elite marathoners, we have the best GPS running watches to guide you through every stride, every mile and every race along the way.

Before you choose a Garmin smartwatch, you’ll want to know which watch has the running and training features that make the most sense for your goals. Let’s run through your options — no pun intended.

Features for the beginner runner

Let’s start with the basics.Even smartwatches designed for beginners have advanced tools and metrics that can help you grow as a runner:

• Built-in GPS: Easily track where you run and get accurate stats, including distance, pace and intervals.
• Long battery life: No, really. We mean a really long battery life. Depending on which Garmin smartwatch you have, you should get up to 1 week of battery life in smartwatch mode at a minimum, or even unlimited battery life with solar charging¹ on the Instinct® 3 Solar adventure smartwatch.
• Sleep monitoring: Understand how your body is recovering — and get ready for training — with our improved sleep monitoring feature². With select watches, you’ll receive a sleep score after waking up, along with a breakdown of your sleep stages and so much more.
• Wrist-based heart rate: Your heart rate zone matters. With wrist-based heart rate², you can gauge how hard your heart is working during runs. Plus, tracking your heart rate data and heart rate variability (HRV) outside of workouts gives you insight into your recovery, overall fitness and more.
• Recovery time: We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to rest. The recovery time feature uses your latest training, stress levels and sleep to help you figure out how long you should take to recover.
• Advanced training: Curious if it’s time to tie your laces and hit the pavement? Get training readiness, status and effect data to know when you’re ready to run and insights into your training regimen. To solidify your routine, keep an eye on your training status to see if you’re training productively, and check training effect to see how your workout is benefiting you.
• Garmin Coach: Is there a race in your future? You’ll want to check out these free adaptive training plans, available in the Garmin Connect app. Pick a training plan based on your goal and distance — 5K, 10K or a half marathon — and select a coach who suits your needs. Garmin Coach will help you find upcoming races near you and keep you on track leading up to race day with recommended workouts that sync to your watch.
• Garmin Connect: All Garmin smartwatches are compatible with the Garmin Connect app, the tool for tracking, analyzing, and sharing health and fitness activities. Think of it as a personal assistant to help you achieve your health and fitness goals.

Smartwatches for the beginner runner

Forerunner^® 70: With a Forerunner 70 on your wrist, it’s time to start calling yourself a runner. This GPS smartwatch offers up to 13 days of battery life in smartwatch mode while tracking essential running and health features. It offers daily suggested workouts depending on performance and recovery, and provides adaptive training plans and advanced training features.

Forerunner 170 Music: This smartwatch has must-have advanced training features and offers up to 10 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, perfect for any entry-level runner. Plus, download your favorite playlist or podcast episode for easy, phone-free listening with your Bluetooth^® headphones (subscription may be required). Need to refuel? Make pitstop stops during your run and pay with Garmin Pay contactless payments³.

Features for the advanced runner

You’ve been running for a while and have started getting the hang of things. You’re not afraid to push your limits; now you need a smartwatch to keep up. In addition to the features for entry-level runners, you may also want to consider a smartwatch with:

• Lactate threshold: A common struggle among runners is learning to pace themselves — especially right out of the gate. Curious just how far you can push yourself? Use the lactate threshold activity to see when you can expect muscle fatigue.
• Performance condition: In the first 6 to 20 minutes of your run, know how you’ll be expected to perform using pace, heart rate and HRV data. The higher the data point on your watch, the better the run.
• Multisport workouts: If your training involves performing consecutive activities, such as biking, swimming or running, record it as a multisport workout and transition from one activity to the other seamlessly. Each sport will be recorded separately when you set up automatic transition or by selecting the sport and starting the activity timer.
• Heat and altitude acclimation: Training for or running a race in a new city or country? Training for a couple days in a new place can help you get acclimated to heat and altitude. Your Garmin smartwatch will detect higher altitudes or hotter weather and provide insights to help you achieve your performance goals despite changing conditions.
• Speaker and mic: When paired with your smartphone, a built-in speaker and microphone make it easy to respond to messages and answer or take calls when you’re in the middle of a run. Pick up the phone from your watch and use voice command to respond to text messages.

A smartwatch for the advanced runner

Forerunner 570: You’ll look and run great with Forerunner 570 on your wrist. It provides 11 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, two size options, personalized Garmin Coach training plans for running and triathlons, projected race time predictor, auto lap by timing gates and more.

Venu^® 4: This smartwatch has advanced fitness features, detailed wellness insights and up to 12 days of battery life in smartwatch mode. From 24/7 health monitoring and sleep tracking to workout options and lifestyle logging, the Venu 4 is the perfect running companion.

Features for the elite runner

Elite runners are looking for serious smartwatches. Good thing we have those too. To power your marathons, triathlons and long training sessions, we have wearable tech packed with advanced features designed just for you.

• Real-time stamina: Don’t overexert yourself. Use this feature to track and manage your exertion before the start of every run.
• Built-in maps: Full-color, built-in maps and turn-by-turn navigation keep you on track whether you’re running on city streets or densely covered trails.
• Dynamic round-trip routing: Just tell your watch how far you want to go, and you’ll get suggested return routes. Plus, if you go off course, your watch will reroute to keep your mileage on track.
• Endurance score: How long can you last? This feature measures your ability to keep up prolonged efforts, so you know how your training impacts your overall endurance.
• Built-in LED flashlight: This is the feature you never knew you needed. The LED lights on the side of select Garmin smartwatches are bright enough to illuminate the room.
• Garmin Triathlon Coach: Do you see a triathlon in your future but want the proper training? Use Garmin Triathlon Coach to find your preferred training plan based on your training status, training load, stamina, sleep tracking and more.
• Garmin Connect+: If you’re looking for advanced training metrics as well as nutrition tracking and logging capabilities with insights to help improve your overall health or achieve a fitness goal, consider a Garmin Connect+ plan. Plus, receive exclusive Garmin Run Coach and Garmin Cycle Coach content and videos.

Smartwatches for the elite runner

Forerunner 970: Made of premium materials and offering a built-in LED flashlight, this GPS smartwatch brings you performance features, including running tolerance, running economy and step speed loss (when paired with the HRM 600 heart rate monitor), all while delivering up to 15 days of battery life in smartwatch mode.

fēnix^® 8 Series: fēnix 8 is a premium multisport smartwatch available in multiple sizes with up to 29 days of battery life in smartwatch mode on the 51 mm AMOLED model, or up to 48 days with the 51 mm solar charging model¹. It includes a rugged design, built-in LED flashlight, and advanced mapping and navigation.

Enduro 3: Built for the ultra-distance athletes, Enduro 3 brings you a built-in LED flashlight and premium training, performance and navigation features — with up to 90 days of battery life in smartwatch mode with solar charging¹.

Need to know more about features on our running watches? Learn all about running science to take advantage of all a Garmin watch has to offer, then browse our running watch collection. You really can’t go wrong — every Garmin smartwatch packs a punch.

¹_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

²_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

³_{See Garmin.com/garminpay/banks}

_{The Bluetooth word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Garmin is under license.} 

The post Which Garmin running smartwatch is right for me? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Do you want a trail with waterfalls? Or one that’s dog friendly? No matter what type of hike you’re looking for, Garmin Trails can help you find the right one.

What is Garmin Trails?

Garmin Trails, a curated collection of trails accessible in the Garmin Connect and the Garmin Explore apps, helps you find and view routes for your next hike, backpacking trip or trail run. Coverage is available in select areas.

Choose from thousands of trails based on difficulty, distance and more. Before you head out, view trail ratings and reviews. After your hike, leave your own rating and review.

How do you use Garmin Trails?

In Garmin Connect, you’ll open the training and planning section to find Garmin Trails. The trails will then appear on the map. When you swipe across the map to see where the trails are, you’ll see a list at the bottom of the screen. Open that window to see more information on each of the trails in the area.

In the Garmin Explore app, select Map Details to access Garmin Trails. While the trails still appear on the map, you can also search for nearby trails or by name. Nearby trails can also appear in a list.

In both Garmin Connect and Garmin Explore, you’ll be able to filter by the length, ascent, rating, difficulty (easy, moderate and hard) and trail type (loop, out and back, or point to point).

Filter your search by specific features, including the following:

• Dog friendly
• Waterfalls
• Lakes
• Mountaineering
• Steep sections
• Flowers
• Kid friendly
• Permit required

Select a trail to see the full trail details, including difficulty, distance, total ascent, total descent, estimated time to complete, and community reviews with photos and descriptions.

What extra features can you access with a Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan?

With an active Garmin Connect+ or Outdoor Maps+ plan, you can send a trail to your compatible device to navigate offline. You can even create a copy and save it to your courses to add points of interest or edit the path. Plus, in Garmin Connect with a Garmin Connect+ plan, access 3D topographic maps to see activity routes, courses and trails.

Garmin Trails makes it easier than ever to explore the outdoors, whatever type of journey you want to take.

The post How to use Garmin Trails to find the best hiking trails near you appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Q: Is the device supposed to warn me about having an active subscription every time I turn it on?

A: Yes. Each time you turn your device on, you will encounter the following notification:

“WARNING: MESSAGING, TRACKING, AND SOS REQUIRE AN ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION. ALWAYS TEST YOUR DEVICE BEFORE YOU GO.”

This message is for your awareness, so you know your inReach device is fully operational before you may need it for communication or during an emergency. It does not indicate that the inReach device does not have service.

Learn more about this notification and testing your inReach device.

Q: Where does the weather forecast come from?

A: Forecasts are powered by meteoblue, a leading provider of weather data around the globe. The forecasts are based on a multi-model approach, which combines various weather models with current measurements and observations as available, specifically for the location and elevation requested. The meteoblue website provides extensive additional weather information.

Learn more about weather for inReach devices.

Q: How do I send a Check-in message?

A: Check-in messages are a convenient way to send short, predefined messages to preselected recipients from your inReach device while you are out and about. 

There are three predetermined Check-in messages that cannot be edited. They are:

• I’m checking in, everything is okay.
• I’m starting my trip.
• I’m ending my trip.

Before you leave for your adventure, you must determine your Check-in message recipients. This is done from the Garmin Explore website or in the Garmin Messenger app, under “Edit Check-in Contacts” (depending upon your device). Note: Check-in messages cannot be sent via the Earthmate^® app.

Directions on sending a Check-in message from your inReach vary depending on which device you own, but for the most part, instructions are:

1. From the inReach device home screen, press OK to open the homepage actions.
2. Select Check-In.
3. Press < or > to scroll through the three check-in message options.
4. Press OK to select a message.
5. Press OK to send the message.

For directions and more device-specific information, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name into the search bar and search for Check-in messages.

Q: What are Waypoints, and how do I use them?

A: Waypoints are location points you record and store in your inReach device. Waypoints can mark where you are, where you are going or where you have been. Creating a Waypoint within the Earthmate app, Garmin Explore app or Garmin Explore website – depending on which device you use – can be shared if the Waypoint is saved within a Collection that is shown in MapShare.

Learn more about Waypoints here. For detailed information on how to set Waypoints on your specific inReach device, visit the Garmin Support Center, enter your device name in the search bar, and search for Waypoints.

Q: Which Garmin apps are compatible with my inReach device?

A: Each device connects to a Garmin app (Garmin Messenger, Garmin Explore, Earthmate) that you can download from the App Store^® or Google Play to your smartphone. Once an app is downloaded, paired and synced to your inReach device, you may enjoy expanded features for your off-grid adventures and outdoor pursuits.

See below for clarification of the apps, what they do and the devices they connect with:

Garmin Messenger App – Communication and Location Sharing: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Messenger/Messenger Plus, inReach Mini 2, GPSMAP^® H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana^® 700i/750i/760i, Alpha^® 200i/300i devices

Garmin Explore App – Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini 3/Mini 3 Plus, fēnix® 8 Pro, quatix® 8 Pro, inReach Mini 2, inReach Messenger Plus, GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 66i/67i, GPSMAP 86i/86sci, Montana 700i/750i/760i, Alpha 200i/300i devices

Earthmate® App – Communication, Mapping and Navigation: inReach Mini, inReach Explorer+, inReach SE+, DeLorme inReach devices

Q: While overnight on an adventure, should I leave my inReach on or turn it off?

A: Because most inReach devices have enough battery life for most adventures, we recommend you leave the device powered on.

If you are on a long trip and need to save battery, know this: An SOS can be initiated even if the device is not powered on. Holding down the SOS button for around 5 seconds will force the unit to power on and initiate an SOS request if you have satellite connection.

Q: I am going out of the country on vacation and want to bring my inReach satellite communicator. How do I know if my device will be supported?

A: It is your responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws in the jurisdictions where the satellite communication device is intended to be used. Some countries require prior permission or a government-issued registration code to activate or use satellite communication devices. Other countries completely prohibit the use or possession of satellite communicators. In addition, U.S. embargoes prohibit providing satellite communication products and services in some countries.

See a list of restricted countries here.

Q: How can a contact see my location while I’m using my inReach device?

A: Use the tracking feature on your inReach device to record track points and transmit them over the satellite network at a specified send interval. You can choose from two features that allow your contacts to view your location during an activity and follow along: LiveTrack and MapShare.

LiveTrack for inReach provides a streamlined experience for loved ones to follow your location and see data such as distance, time and elevation. You can save and review your tracked sessions on your LiveTrack profile. Here is how to set up and share your LiveTrack profile through the Garmin app or website that you use. 

MapShare for inReach is an alternative location tracking feature that gives friends and family the means to follow along, ping your location and send you messages, plus additional mapping features through the Garmin Explore website. Visit the Garmin Support Center and search by device for set up and use instructions. 

If you are currently set up for MapShare but prefer to switch to LiveTrack, click here for instructions to switch. 

For a real-life example of how inReach location and tracking features work, read about how they came in handy during a routine hunting trip.

Q: How does my partner send a message to my inReach device while I am adventuring?

A: inReach satellite communicators do not have phone numbers assigned to them, so they can only send SMS (text), email or inReach messages. inReach users must do at least one of the following for others to reach them:

• Initiate a conversation with a recipient by sending them a message so they can reply to it.
• Give access to their MapShare page so others can message them from there.
• Provide their inReach address so other inReach users can message them.
• Pair a compatible inReach device with the Garmin Messenger app on their phone.

There are five ways to send a message to an inReach device:

1. Email messaging
2. SMS (text) messaging
3. Garmin Messenger app
4. MapShare messaging
5. inReach to inReach messaging

For detailed instructions on each method, review this Garmin Support article.

Q: If I have two devices on one account, do I have to pay for service for each of them?

A: Yes, each device requires its own subscription. Individual users may have more than one inReach device with an active subscription on their account. This allows users to have and use multiple inReach-enabled devices at a time.

Learn more about adding additional inReach service to an existing account.

Q: Where is the best place to carry my inReach device with a backpack?

A: The best place to carry your inReach device is clipped to the outside, upper part of your backpack, with the antenna facing upwards and having a clear view of the sky. This ensures optimal satellite signal reception while keeping the device accessible.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

Apple and App Store are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.

The post You asked, we answered: Your inReach® device questions appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Lasse Nymand Petersen has spent more than 15 years as a mountain rescue professional and 15 years as a firefighter. For the past 5 years, Petersen has worked as a hoist operator and medic on H225 helicopters for Air Greenland, the country’s national airline that also staffs search and rescue operations. An H225 crew is on duty at all hours, year-round, along with mechanics who maintain the helicopters. Some of their rescues have been featured on episodes of the Danish TV program The Arctic Rescuers.

From his experience as a professional rescuer, Petersen has become an advocate for the use of inReach technology.

Petersen said that when recreators in need of rescue are equipped with inReach devices, the technology plays a key role in the helicopter evacuations, “making the emergency work fast and precise” due to the two-way satellite communication and precise location updates.

He referenced a rescue they conducted in which a group of researchers became trapped on the Greenland Ice Cap in sudden whiteout conditions. Limited visibility on the Ice Cap can be very dangerous due to the risk of falling in hidden crevasses, and the team was trapped between two large crevasses with a dangerous storm impending.

Petersen said the group used their inReach device to summon help and provide real-time weather updates to the four-person helicopter rescue crew.

“This allowed us to locate them quickly and land safely without incident,” he said. “Without it, we would have to fly around, searching a huge area to see if we could find them. And that’s only if we were certain the weather was flyable.”

He believes failing to plan is simply a plan to fail and recommends for all those who spend time outdoors — especially in dangerous terrains or harsh conditions — to always have an emergency contact that has all the information to provide about the expedition.

Additionally, he has a few other insights about what to be prepared with in case of needing rescue. 

A signal mirror, flares or a headlamp with advanced signal capabilities can help the helicopter team locate individuals, he said. And having an inReach device is key for the SOS and two-way satellite messaging functions.

“Emergency locator beacon — like the inReach device,” he said. “And communication equipment — like the inReach device. That’s already two-in-one.”

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach insights from a rescue helicopter professional appeared first on Garmin Blog.

When you golf with Garmin, you get a lot of data. Like, a lot of data. You get helpful health insights from your Garmin golf smartwatch, precise distance measurements from your rangefinder so you know what’s ahead, and robust ball and club metrics from a launch monitor to improve your game.

But you might wonder how your stats fit in with Garmin golfers across the globe. This is our latest deep dive into data logged in the Garmin Golf app, an interactive tool used by golf lovers worldwide to track, analyze and share their activities on the links. As you gather your gear for the upcoming golf season, let’s look at how golfers completed their rounds in 2025 compared to 2024.

Here are a few of the 2025 highlights:

• The number of Garmin golfers under age 20 increased markedly in 2025 from 2024.
• Golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least six months saw a meaningful decrease in their average score.
• Garmin golfers hit the fairway more than a third of the time (and how that compares to the pros).
• Of the locales with the best median handicaps, we have a list of the most popular courses for Garmin golfers around the world — from California in the U.S. to North Rhine-Westphalia in Germany.
• Strength training and yoga were two ways Garmin golfers stayed active beyond golf — and they did those activities significantly more than in 2024.

How many more golfers hit the course — and how often?

There’s something special about setting up the tee, perfecting your swing and walking across the green. And more people — especially young golfers — are seeing the appeal. When breaking down the increase in golfers who used a Garmin device by age, young people led the growth in 2025 compared to 2024. In 2025, we saw 76% growth in golfers under age 20. Golfers 20–29 grew 53% while golfers 30–39 grew 18%. Golfers 40–49 grew 15% and those 50–59 grew 12%.

If you have a junior golfer in your life, might we recommend Approach® J1? It’s the first GPS golf watch specifically designed for youth golfers, built to help them learn the game and track their performance.

The median number of golf rounds rose by 13%, with golfers on average squeezing in one more round in 2025 compared to 2024. The number of female and male golfers using Garmin devices each increased about 16%.

The number of real-life rounds increased 17% while the number of virtual rounds increased 58%. (We like to think the premium all-in-one experience you get on the Approach R50 launch monitor and simulator has something to do with that.)

When it comes to virtual rounds, it’s hard to beat the Home Tee Hero app¹. You get more than 43,000 courses to choose from, more realistic graphics and an added on-course practice mode, making it easier than ever to focus on improving your game.

How well were Garmin golfers swinging?

OK, so Garmin golfers were spending more time on the links. How well were they actually performing?

We found that golfers who used a Garmin launch monitor for at least 6 months had average scores that were 4.4 strokes lower after use. Golfers must have played at least 20 rounds before and 20 rounds after getting the launch monitor, using it at least 5 times. Practice makes perfect, after all.

Garmin golfers hit the fairway 37% of the time. (That’s including only those who played a full round of golf in person and those whose rounds were added to either the Garmin Golf app or their Garmin golf device.) Keep in mind, though, that the average for PGA TOUR pros was 59% through the 2025 season — so maybe that 37% isn’t too shabby.

If you struggle to choose which golf club to use or have a hard time avoiding different hazards, a Garmin golf smartwatch such as Approach S70 could help. This Garmin GPS golf watch offers a virtual caddie feature to help you choose your club. This feature also provides a shot dispersion chart to help you determine which club choice gives you the best chance to hit the fairway and avoid hazards.

The median handicap for Garmin golfers was 14 in 2025. If you’re wondering how your handicap stacks up to other locales, we’ve got that answer too. Here’s a sample of 10 median handicaps across the globe.

How close was your handicap to the median? If you’ve got some work to do, we’re here to help. With a Garmin golf launch monitor¹, you can get precise ball and club metrics that analyze your swing. Plus, you can use the golf simulator on Approach R50 (for the ultimate simulator experience) or Approach R10 with a paired smartphone or tablet to spend more time practicing, whether you’re home or on the course¹.

How have Garmin golfers improved?

Ever wondered how your performance measures across different areas of the game, including drives, approach, chip, putt or even bunker shots? That’s where strokes gained comes in. This feature, available in the Garmin Golf app, measures how well you’re trending in those areas over time. It also tells you how well each shot was relative to how a PGA player would have performed from that distance and lie on average. In 2025, Garmin golfers improved the most in the layup, tee, recovery and overall categories. The closer to zero in the chart below, the better.

What are users doing to improve their overall fitness — and swing?

In addition to all that swing practice, golfers are spending plenty of time on activities outside of golf. Users with an Approach smartwatch, including Approach S70 or S50, logged 29% more walking activities in 2025 compared to 2024. They were also dedicated to building muscle and flexibility: Strength training activities increased 45% and yoga activities increased 49% compared to 2024. And for good reason too, considering the benefits of increased flexibility and strength for your golf performance.

The other top activities were all cardio focused, including running, cycling, swimming and using the elliptical.

Where were the most popular golf courses in the top 10 locales?

Remember those locales with the best median handicaps across the world? These were the most popular golf courses in each of them — good luck getting a tee time at one of these courses.

1. Sea ‘n’ Air Golf Course (U.S.)
2. Club de Golf Longchamp (Canada)
3. Wembley Golf Course: Old (Australia)
4. Golf Club Toulouse-Seilh: Jaune (France)
5. Riksten Golfklubb (Sweden)
6. Pyrford Golf Club (United Kingdom)
7. Wakasu Golf Links (Japan)
8. Landgoed Bergvliet Golf Course (Netherlands)
9. Club de Campo Villa de Madrid: Recorrido Negro (Spain)
10. Kölner Golfclub: Championship (Germany)

What’s the best time of day to hit the links?

When you tee off depends on your personal preference and your location; however, golfers tended to tee off most in the early afternoon, followed by the early morning.

What you need to hit the course in 2026 with Garmin

When you golf with Garmin, you can do it all — from the driving range to the final putt.

Garmin offers a variety of golf watches so you can find the one that’s right for you, whether you’re looking to cover the basics or for premium features to improve your game. With a Garmin rangefinder, you’ll know where the hazards are with a quick glance (yes, it’s possible to avoid that bunker). And with a Garmin launch monitor and simulator, you’ll get advanced ball and club metrics as well as the ability to play virtual rounds on more than 43,000 courses to help improve your swing all year long¹.

Take your golf game to the next level with our golf products.

¹_{Active subscription required}

The post The data behind how Garmin golfers hit the course appeared first on Garmin Blog.

My earliest memories revolve around riding horses for ranch work and pleasure — mainly backcountry fishing and hunting trips.

In 2005, during a hunting trip in the Shoshone wilderness in northwest Wyoming, I was on an early morning elk hunt when the young horse I was riding reared over backward on me while crossing a stream. I had a hunting partner who got the horse off me, but I was severely injured and unable to move. He had to ride 6 miles to get to a landline to call for help.

I laid there for almost 10 hours, not knowing if he made it out or if help was coming. Just as dark was setting in, I cannot describe the relief I felt as I heard a helicopter circling overhead. I thought to myself, “Never again will I be in the backcountry without communication.”

I have owned an inReach device for several years now and have used it for checking in with family, checking weather forecasts and messaging hunting partners who are inReach users.

One August, 3 of my old high school buddies and I took off on a backcountry fishing trip we had been planning for years (we turned 65 that year). About 3 miles into the trip, one of my buddy’s horses fell coming out of a creek crossing that had washed out. The horse fell over backward and landed on top of the rider — eerily similar to my accident years before in the same area.

After untangling the rider from the horse, it was apparent we needed help. I pulled out my inReach and hit the SOS button, and within minutes was texting with the Garmin Response℠ team, giving them all the details of the injured rider and relaying to my buddy that help was on the way (much to his relief).  

I then contacted my wife, who had already been contacted by Garmin Response to let her know what was going on, and my son (who was a paramedic and in charge of a backcountry rescue team), who put a team in action that was on scene within 2 hours.

A helicopter was dispatched but could not land due to rough terrain. The backcountry rescue team ended up carting out the injured rider to a waiting ambulance at the trailhead.

Needless to say, I am a big fan of inReach and was thankful that day to have it. I never leave home without it.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post inReach SOS: Two horseback riding accidents, 18 years apart appeared first on Garmin Blog.

Connection to the Only Satellite Network with Global Coverage

The Iridium^® satellite network, the world’s largest commercial satellite constellation, is the system that allows inReach handhelds to work globally. Its low orbit satellites enable inReach satellite communicators to relay messages, provide weather forecasts, navigate and trigger SOS alerts — even when you and your device are well out of range of cellular coverage. Plus, the multidirectional, purpose-built antennas in inReach handhelds help ensure a prompt connection, which is especially important in an emergency when every second counts.

Interactive SOS

With an inReach device and an active subscription, you can trigger an SOS message and connect directly to the Garmin Response^SM team. When an SOS alert is received, team members pinpoint the incident location. Then, via two-way messaging, team members gather information from the user, coordinate the rescue response and connect with emergency contacts.

Internal Emergency Monitoring

A unique part of the inReach experience is that SOS activations are managed by Garmin’s in-house emergency monitoring team and incident response coordination center, Garmin Response. Operating since 2007, Garmin Response is staffed by trained professionals. They use proprietary emergency handling software to manage each SOS alert and work with a private global database of local first responders.

Optional Search and Rescue Insurance

The last thing anyone wants to consider while recreating is the “what ifs.” To help alleviate those worries, Garmin offers its own Search and Rescue (SAR) insurance plans for select regions. With an inReach device and active subscription plan, you can choose from one of three SAR plans that provide financial reimbursement for qualified search and rescue-related expenses incurred during a rescue.

Three Messaging Types to Stay Connected to Friends and Family

inReach handhelds are often thought of for navigation or SOS use. However, they are also satellite texting devices that offer flexible messaging options to help you stay connected to loved ones, even if it’s a simple “I’m OK” update. Using the global coverage of the Iridium satellite network, inReach devices can send messages to cellphone numbers, email addresses or other inReach devices.

Send Photos and Voice Messages With inReach Plus Technology

When used with the Garmin Messenger app, handhelds with inReach Plus technology have a built-in speaker and microphone for exchanging voice messages and can send and receive photos² — no cell coverage needed.

Other Valuable inReach Handheld Functions

Battery life: With the battery life of select inReach models lasting up to 30 days, you can stay on adventures longer. Check the Specs section on each inReach device product page for detailed battery life information.

Rugged construction: inReach devices are tough, durable, impact-resistant and water-rated to IPX7. The manual SOS button is designed to work in wet and cold conditions, as proven by this SOS rescue.

inReach to compatible device pairing: Certain inReach handhelds (inReach^® Mini and newer) can be paired with compatible Garmin devices (watches, cycling computers, chartplotters, etc.) to control inReach functionalities, including SOS, from the paired device.

MapShare and LiveTrack: Give peace of mind to loved ones by using the tracking feature to share your location at specified intervals, either on your personal tracking page or embedded into messages (active subscription required).

Weather forecasts: An active subscription and connection to the Iridium satellite network allow you to get detailed weather forecasts for your current location or other destinations on your route from your inReach handheld, helping you to make better decisions about your adventure. This feature has proven to be invaluable in many extreme weather situations.

inReach devices deliver a lot of powerful features and functionalities. Find out which device is right for you based on your favorite activities.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

²Taking and sending photos requires use of the Garmin Messenger app on your paired smartphone.

The post What’s different about inReach devices? appeared first on Garmin Blog.

When you’re in the field, you need reliable navigation and battery life that won’t let you down. You need a purpose-built, durable device with dedicated tactical features. And you need to track your fitness and health.

Garmin tactical smartwatches have all that and more.

But before we get into specifics to help you decide which watch is right for you, you should know what features are available on most of them.

Essential features you’ll love on Garmin tactical smartwatches

Navigation: Let’s start with navigation. Any of these smartwatches will include an altimeter, barometer and 3-axis compass (ABC sensors), plus multi-band GPS with SatIQ technology for superior positioning accuracy while optimizing battery life. You’ll also get point-to-point navigation, TracBack® routing (so you can follow your GPS track on the way back) and more. With preloaded TopoActive maps, you’ll see high-quality elevation mapping with premium contours and maximum detail. Purchase an Outdoor Maps+ plan¹, and you’ll be able to see a color-coded map overlay with public land boundaries as well as hunting unit boundaries and more.

Battery life: The battery life on the larger versions of these smartwatches ranges from up to 16 days on MARQ Commander (Gen 2) – Carbon Edition to unlimited with the Instinct 3 – Solar, Tactical Edition smartwatch, thanks to solar charging².

Durability: How durable are Garmin tactical smartwatches? We’ve put them to the test again and again — and again. Each has a water rating of 10 ATM, and most have been tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance.

Health and wellness features: With Body Battery energy monitoring, you’ll better understand the toll your day-to-day activity is taking on your body. Advanced sleep tracking³ helps you understand how you’re sleeping at night while Garmin sleep coach estimates how much sleep you need the next night. And monitoring your heart rate variability (the always-changing interval between heartbeats) can help you stay balanced between rest and intense days.

Performance features: The recovery time countdown timer helps you know when you’re ready for your next tough workout. With training load, you can better understand the impact and recovery needs of your activities, while your training status helps you connect the dots between your training and your results. Plus, training readiness delivers a score between 1-100, so you’ll know if it’s a good day to push yourself or if you should take a break.

Applied Ballistics® integration: This third-party feature offers customized aiming solutions for long-range shooting based on the characteristics of your rifle and bullets, as well as environmental conditions.

Night vision: When you need to operate stealthily, turn on night vision mode to dim brightness and black out the display to reduce detectability.

Stealth mode: This keeps your tactical watch operational but stops storing and sharing your GPS position. It also disables wireless connectivity and communication.

Rucking activity: Next time you load your rucksack with weight, you can start a rucking activity on your compatible tactical smartwatch. That allows you to enter the weight of your pack so you can better understand the physical exertion associated with rucking.

LED flashlight: Most Garmin tactical smartwatches feature a built-in LED flashlight with different color options and intensities.

Now that you know the essentials you’ll get out of the box, let’s break down the different tactical smartwatches.

If you want unlimited battery life and tactical features

Instinct 3 – Tactical Edition: Available with an AMOLED display or two sizes in the solar-powered display (for unlimited battery life with a larger and more efficient solar lens), the rugged Instinct 3 smartwatch is packed with tactical features. These include night vision, rucking activity, stealth mode (which collects distances and biometrics without recording location data), projected waypoints, AB solver (unlock fee required), AB Quantum app compatibility, kill switch that wipes all user memory, jumpmaster, tactical activity and stage timer.

• Durability: This smartwatch features bolted construction, a fiber-reinforced polymer case, a metal-reinforced bezel and a scratch-resistant display.
• Battery life: The AMOLED model gets up to 24 days. The solar models can get unlimited battery life¹.
• Flashlight: Instinct 3 includes a built-in LED flashlight with a variety of intensities, strobe mode and green light.

If you want a smartwatch that’s built for the mission

tactix 8 series: This is the next-gen tactical smartwatch. You can choose between two AMOLED sizes or one size for solar. You can also opt for the Solar: AB Elite® model, which includes the Applied Ballistics Elite Solver (giving you access to advanced aiming solutions for long-range shooting in the field) — all other models include the Applied Ballistics Ultralight solver. tactix 8 includes tactical features such as rucking, jumpmaster activity, waypoint projection, dual-position GPS format, stealth mode, kill switch, AB Quantum mobile app compatibility, compatibility with night vision goggles and a dedicated tactical activity. Plus, civilian and military aviators benefit from Direct-to navigation with the worldwide aeronautical database, which helps users navigate to a location or waypoint, or use the “nearest” function to find a path to a nearby airport, as well as get aviation weather reports.

• Durability: In addition to the sensor guard and leakproof buttons, tactix 8 offers a titanium bezel and scratch-resistant sapphire lens. Purpose-built for enhanced longevity, the tactix 8 Cerakote® Edition features a ceramic polymer composite coating that’s ready for the mission.
• Battery life: The largest AMOLED version offers up to 29 days of battery life, while the solar option can reach up to 48 days.
• Flashlight: The flashlight on tactix 8 provides a bright, steady white or green beam. In night vision mode, the white light is disabled, and the green light becomes dimmable.

If you want a luxurious spin on a modern tactical watch

MARQ® Commander (Gen 2) – Carbon Edition: This luxury tool watch is crafted from 130 layers of Fused Carbon Fiber. Each layer of carbon is rotated to a unique angle to increase the strength of the block, which is then heated and pressured to align with the watch shape housing for a beautiful and ultradurable design that’s rugged and lightweight. You can read the screen when wearing night vision goggles or switch settings for daytime use. Other tactical features include a stealth mode, kill switch, dual-position GPS format, jumpmaster, preloaded tactical activity and projected waypoints. If you’re in the air, it provides advanced aviation features such as Direct-to navigation and weather reports⁴.

• Durability: The bezel is made of Grade-5 titanium and Fused Carbon Fiber, while the case is made of Fused Carbon Fiber with a titanium rear cover. This luxurious smartwatch also includes a domed sapphire crystal lens and jacquard-weave nylon strap.
• Battery life: MARQ Commander provides up to 16 days in smartwatch mode.

Between Instinct 3, tactix 8 and MARQ Commander, there’s a Garmin smartwatch designed for your needs. Browse Garmin tactical smartwatches today to prepare yourself for any mission or adventure coming your way.

¹_{Some features may be delayed or unavailable on certain devices}

²_{Assumes all-day wear with 3 hours per day outside in 50,000 lux conditions}

³_{See Garmin.com/ataccuracy}

⁴_{When paired with your compatible smartphone}

The post The best tactical Garmin watches appeared first on Garmin Blog.

What is Garmin Response?

Originally founded in 2007 and now owned by Garmin, Garmin Response is a leader in 24/7 emergency monitoring and incident response services. It is the nerve center for SOS dispatch efforts triggered by inReach-enabled devices and affiliated Satellite Emergency Notification Devices with active service plans. 

The Garmin Response center employs a dedicated team of skilled emergency response coordinators ready at any time to respond to SOS triggers. Using a proprietary emergency monitoring platform, an emergency response coordinator answers the SOS activation and collaborates with multiple members of the Garmin Response team on rescue coordination to keep the process moving quickly. 

Garmin Response by the numbers:

• More than 150,000 SOS alerts received
• More than 200 countries and territories covered for coordinated emergency responses
• More than 210 languages and dialects supported
• More than 19,000 inReach SOS responses

Where is the Garmin Response team located?

Garmin Response is located in Montgomery, Texas, U.S. All SOS monitoring, communication and emergency response coordination are handled at this location. 

How does Garmin Response connect to rescue organizations?

Garmin Response maintains a global database of local first responders and emergency services. As soon as an SOS activation is received, the Garmin Response team pulls up the precise location of the SOS alert, a corresponding list of emergency response organizations for that area and a map overlay of agency jurisdictions. The Garmin Response team contacts the local organization and works with them to dispatch resources to the incident site as necessary. 

What happens when you trigger an SOS?

The process varies slightly depending on the emergency, device type and location, but in a matter of minutes the basic workflow is:

1. The SOS alert, including exact GPS coordinates, is received by the Garmin Response team. 
   
2. A team member starts the response coordination by acknowledging the SOS with a message back to the device and requests more information regarding the nature of the emergency. If the user is unable to respond, the team member continues the rescue coordination.
   
3. Using the GPS coordinates automatically sent from the device, the team member consults the global first responder database to determine the local emergency service to contact and initiates communication with them. 
   
4. The team maintains communication with the user via two-way messaging to gather information regarding the incident. 
   
5. The team calls the emergency contacts listed in the user’s profile to inform them of the SOS and request additional information that might aid in the rescue. 
   
6. If possible, the Garmin Response team connects the rescue agency directly to the user for communication via two-way messaging through their device.
   
7. Throughout the entire process, Garmin Response will monitor the user’s location and send progress updates to the user and emergency contacts until the rescue is completed or canceled. 

Does SOS capability come with an inReach subscription? What about insurance?

SOS capability and access to Garmin Response are included with an active inReach subscription. 

An inReach subscription does not include additional insurance coverage or cover any possible costs incurred from an emergency response; however, additional Search and Rescue (SAR) insurance is available for select regions to purchase from Garmin. For more details on additional SAR insurance, visit SAR Insurance.

Why does Garmin have a dedicated emergency response team? 

Because every Garmin device with inReach technology is equipped with an SOS button, it is essential to provide effective emergency response and safety services for customers around the globe. Garmin Response has been focused on providing the highest quality of service to individuals in their time of need for more than 15 years. Team members know how to face the challenges of each unique incident with determination and compassion, providing world-class service and peace of mind to users and their loved ones when they need it the most. 

To find out more, check out our blog covering the top questions about triggering an SOS on an inReach device.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

The post Get to know Garmin Response℠  appeared first on Garmin Blog.

One bright, beautiful snowmobiling day, a group of four of us were riding in an area of Wyoming we have all been before, traversing across challenging creek bottoms and exploring untouched powder up and over ridges.

With the record snowfall that season, we were cautious of avalanches and areas prone to slides. All of us had our avalanche backpacks, shovels, probes and beacons, and we had practiced and understood the protocol fully.

It was 2 p.m., and we were on a mountainside we have gone up and over many times. We stopped at the bottom to discuss our options. One person in our group decided to try a route and conveyed “Stay put and let me go look.”

We all know to go one snowmobile at a time on a steep slope, but as the initial rider started up, a second rider decided to follow. They were about five sled-lengths apart as the rest of us shouted in our intercoms for the second rider to stop.  

Before anything could be done, we observed a large crack in the snow between the two riders, and an avalanche started between them. The first rider made it to the top and the second rider tried to get out of the way, but it was too late, and the rider got swallowed up in a wall of snow and knocked off the snowmobile. We all kept an eye on the rider who was in the avalanche — watching them tumble and disappear and finally seeing their avalanche air bag deploy.

As the slide came to a stop, we rushed over to the rider who was buried up to their chin. Their snowmobile was nowhere to be seen.  

We started our rescue digging procedures and eventually freed them. A member in our group is certified in first aid and examined their overall condition. They were in a lot of pain but there were no broken bones or bleeding. We kept the individual warm with a fire and bivy bags.

We decided that riding out was less of an option, so I triggered an SOS message on my Garmin inReach device. I had the inReach paired to my phone and started communicating with the Garmin Response℠ team member, who also put me in touch with the local search and rescue (SAR) team.

Pairing to my phone worked out well because there was a lot of texting back and forth with updates to and from Garmin Response and the SAR commander. I requested a helicopter as the SAR team conveyed they would have trouble getting to where we were with a snow buggy. Then the wait started.

We had dug the rider out at 3 p.m. and by 4:30 p.m., it was getting dark and cold as a storm moved in. Our hopes faded as the Garmin Response team conveyed that helicopters made two attempts from two different locations, but the weather was too bad for a flight.

The SAR commander updated me that they were still coming to our location, so I communicated that a rescue sled buggy would not make it to our location, and we would instead get the victim out and meet them. Securing the victim to another rider on the same snowmobile was tricky, and we had to work hard to avoid getting that snowmobile stuck.

By the time we were past a bad spot on the mountain, it was dark and the avalanche victim conveyed “Just keep going and get me out.”

The SAR team had our location updated continuously from the inReach device, and eventually they caught up to us. They assisted in making a packed trail to the warming hut where an emergency snow buggy and other members of the team had a fire going and were ready for our arrival.

After a medical assessment, the decision was made to carefully secure and transport the injured individual to the waiting snow buggy and then take the 15-mile ride down a groomed trail to the trailhead where an ambulance was waiting.

Severe bruising from the mid torso and down both legs was discovered at the emergency room, and they said that the decision to get the victim out as soon as possible was a good move.

In retrospect there were a few key things that led to this amazing outcome:

1. Having the inReach device. Given medical attention was paramount, it would have been a much more dire situation without it.
2. Pairing the inReach device to the phone made conversation between all dispatchers stress-free.
3. Having the SAR team know our every move via inReach location sharing.

All members of our party now have an inReach device, and we’re so grateful for individuals who volunteer for SAR and work for ambulance services. We commend the helicopter pilot’s decision not to fly in weather that was not safe for everyone, and the Garmin Response team for keeping my family aware of the situation.

¹Active subscription required. Some jurisdictions regulate or prohibit satellite communication devices; it is the user’s responsibility to know and follow all applicable laws.

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