Things To Note Before Choosing The Best Compass Watch
Watches have been around for centuries, but nowadays, watches have been made to incorporate a lot more features beyond just telling the time, we now have watches that can help you find your direction on a run, watches that can help check your organ vitals amongst others.
Compass watches are essential not just for casual use, but also for individuals who may be going on a run, a mountain hike or any sort of outdoor excursion. When going for certain events, a compass is a must-have fashion accessory, and with compass watches, you don’t have to carry an extra item (that you can easily lose on the journey).
Compass watches offer general direction at a glance and are very needful for mountaineers, campers, and other sorts of travelers. They also look great on casual outfits, making them a versatile piece of accessory on any one person’s wrist.
Today, we present to you some of the top compass watches on the market with their various features, benefits, and shortcomings.
1. Suunto Core Compass Watch
This compass watch is perfect if you have a bit more on your budget than you can get for the average watch. This digital watch features an altimeter, barometer, and a compass that provides critical data quickly and with little stress. The watch’s digital compass uses the magnetic fields of the earth to measure direction. All digital compasses suffer varying levels of interference but are more accurate than their analog sibling. The bezel ring rotates, allowing you to follow a bearing. Another interesting feature of the Suunto Core is the storm alarm, this monitors the weather for rapid drops in air pressure which could signal some sort of trouble going forward.
This compass watch packs awesome features with a tough plastic exterior and strap-along with accurate depth readings of up to 30 feet.
Pros:
Brilliant all-rounder
Good quality for the money spent
The altimeter addition is a step in the right direction.
Cons:
Slightly heavier than the average watch, occasionally making it a bit difficult to wear.
Certain reviews note that the strap is a tad uncomfortable.
2. Casio Men’s SGW100B-3V
This product from popular technology company Casio is an oval-shaped version of the 2012 model. This compass watch comes in a case material covered in resin with the band material composed of nylon. This watch also has a digital display type with a calendar feature that can show the date, day, and month of the year. Owners also get a stopwatch as well as a compass. This compass is particularly useful for outings, as it helps keep users going in the right direction.
The Casio Men’s SGW100B-3V is water-resistant, as it is able to withstand up to 200 meters of water. This watch, with a case material made of resin and nylon, has a case diameter of 47.6 millimeters, with a thickness of 13 millimeters. The band length is standard and the width measures 23 millimeters. This piece weighs in at 1.92 ounces and also has a mineral crystal that protects the watch from scratches when outdoor, ensuring that it retains its design even after a number of falls. The makers offer a one-year warranty on this piece.
Pros:
This watch is durable and can withstand the elements to a certain degree.
It is comfortable to wear.
It has a number of interesting features like the stopwatch and the calendar.
This watch is good when you are on a budget and don’t want to spend too much.
The stationary bezel protects this watch from any scratch.
Cons:
Some users find this watch bulky
The compass backlight time is short
3. Citizen Promaster Altichron Survival Watch
One of the few analog watches in this corner, this watch from Citizen boasts loads of great features. The Citizen Promaster Altichorn has its built-in altimeter, rated 1,000 to 32,000 feet. It also boasts a compass and has a date window which helps to keep track of time. This watch also features the Eco-Drive movement, meaning simply that your watch can be charged using any light source, making sure you avoid the inconveniences associated with swapping batteries.
Pros:
Beautiful and sporty timepiece with a sleek design.
Possess Eco-Drive that lets you charge your watch with any light source.
4. Casio Rangeman GW9400-3
This timepiece is designed with the average military operator or outdoor character in mind. With a rugged and tough exterior, it is waterproof, offers great shock and abrasion resistance. The buttons are designed in a cylindrical manner, making it easier for you to operate even with wet or gloved hands.
This compass watch is equipped with triple sensor tech, boasting an altimeter/barometer, a compass, and a thermometer. The altimeter and compass are extremely useful with navigation, while the barometer displays the atmospheric pressure tendency graph, letting you predict the weather.
The thermometer is useful in measuring the air or water temperature. This timepiece receives time calibration radio signals up to 6 times a day, making sure that the watch is extremely accurate. It has a solar rechargeable battery that can keep this device ticking for up to 8 months without needing any exposure to light. It’s also got a countdown timer, a stopwatch, and a backlight with afterglow.
Pros:
Awesome features with great functionality
An all-rounder timepiece
Has a battery that lasts for up to 8 months
Rugged and solid watch that can withstand the elements
Cons:
Display overview is not quite clear for a number of users
5. Suunto Core Military
This timepiece is popular with military operators, law enforcement officers, hunters, and a number of other tactical operators. It offers durability and functionality, it also has an elegant and tactical design, one that does not betray functionality for aesthetics.
This watch has a battery life that lasts approximately 12 months in time mode but is slightly shorter when you use a number of other features like the compass frequently. The Suunto Core offers a barometer, compass, thermometer, and an altimeter. Other more advanced features include a storm alarm and a depth meter. The depth meter is useful for divers, helping to track dives as deep as 10 meters below the surface of the water.
Although not as rugged as the Casio Rangeman GW9400-3, this watch still has some awesome features and a great user interface.
Pros:
Wonderful design with an eye for functionality
Perfect for everyday use
Cons:
Shock resistance
6. Casio PRO Trek WSD-F30 Outdoor Smartwatch
One of the more recent technology, smartwatches tends to have a number of cons that are not associated with the analog or even digital watches. From poor battery life to a being too fragile for continued outdoor use, smartwatches may not be everyone’s favorite for outdoor activities. However, this smartwatch does a decent job at limiting these disadvantages, while bringing its superior features to the fore.
This watch can download full-color topographical maps to help you navigate whatever terrain you find yourself. It has a suite of tools (with a digital compass) and a touchscreen for easy control.
Pros:
Offers water resistance up to 50 m.
Also has an OS run by Google, meaning users have access to a wealth of features and information on their wrists.
OLED display with good visibility
Cons:
Not suitable for divers or for snorkeling.
7. Citizen Eco-Drive Atichron Titanium
This colorful compass watch is an innovative watch for high-quality watches. This watch features a dial containing bright colors that attract users and also makes a striking first impression. While this watch has the good looks on lock, it also features great specifications that may not be flamboyant like the looks, but definitely deliver when called upon.
This watch, built around a titanium case and a mineral crystal window, offers good features and is water-resistant. Although a bit pricey, this watch from Citizen is one that offers awesome value for money spent in the long term.
Pros:
This awesome watch does not need a battery, as the Eco-drive is powered by light, keeping your watch ticking all day.
It ffers water resistance up to 200 meters (660 ft), making it suitable for divers.
How to carefully choose the best compass watch
Performance
The product should meet the basic standards of compass watches, it should also be able to withstand a number of typical outdoor conditions (rain, dusty terrains, snow). Some of the top features of a quality watch include shock and water resistance, availability of sensors and light, temperature measurement.
Price
The price points of compass watches vary. The best thing is to select a product that has all the features you deem important and is well within your budget. It is well known that a high price does not necessarily equate to a high quality and vice versa. It is important that you also use the reviews of other users to arrive at a sensible purchase decision.
Reliability/Durability
When looking for a compass watch, you should make sure you get a product that you have confidence in, a product that will not just stop working when you are in the middle of an expedition. To select a reliable product, pick one that is made of high-quality and durable materials. It should preferably be heavy-duty, resistant to shock, resistant to scratches, and any other harsh outdoor conditions. The band should also be made of a material strong enough to avoid loss if it breaks off.
Design/Build
The design of the watch should be functional, but should also appeal to your taste and style. The colors and material used in the design of the watch should complement your attire and activity. The weight of the watch should also be manageable so it does not feel too heavy while in use.
Special Features
Look out for a product with a myriad of features to choose from. Aside from the compass, features like a stopwatch, timer, calendar, and a thermometer can also come in handy. Certain products also have world times and backlight.
Tips on How To Set An Analog Compass Watch
Owning a compass watch is a good thing, but not knowing how to use it will make you look like a sniper who does not know how his rifle works, so to get the best out of your watch, follow these steps:
i) Position Yourself To The Sun: First, get a general direction on the position of the sun in the sky. Avoid glaring into the sun, as you could damage your eyes.
ii) Hold watch horizontally: Hold your watch parallel to the horizon (not upright).
iii) Align Hour Hand to Sun: Do not change the time
iv) Find the Middle Point: The center point between the hour hand and 12 o’clock will be south (approximate). This won’t work if you are in the tropics due to the rotation of the earth.
Conclusion
A compass watch is a helpful companion for individuals with interests in outdoor activities like hiking and camping. It provides an easy method for navigation, is convenient to keep, and is easily accessible.
Leave a Reply