A GPS watch is a device with an integrated GPS receiver that is worn as a single unit strapped onto a wrist, in the manner of a bracelet. The watch can have other features and capabilities depending on its intended purpose and be a smartwatch. GPS watches are most often used for sports and fitness purposes. Many can connect to external sensors by the wireless ANT+ protocol, and/or to a computer by USB to transfer data and configuration. Common sensors used are heart rate monitors and foot pods (running cadence and speed sensor). A foot pod can be used to supplement or replace GPS data, such as providing treadmill speed and distance for the watch to log and share. Recharging by USB is commonplace.
Contents
- 1Optional features
- 2Purpose
- 3History
- 4List of GPS Watches
- 5Accelerometer-only
- 6See also
- 7References
Optional features[edit source]
- Display (Illuminated or passive)
- Time display
- Speed/pace display
- Map display
- Routes
- Route tracking
- Heart rate monitor compatibility
- Running cadence and speed sensor (foot pod) compatibility
- Cycling cadence sensor compatibility
- Cycling power meter compatibility
- Weight scale compatibility
- Compatibility with sports transitions (such as triathlons)
- Training programs (such as intervals)
- Computer connection for logging, mapping, and sharing data
- Hydration/nutrition reminders
- Reminder alarms to alternate between running and walking
- Accelerometer for tracking indoor swimming
- Touchscreen
- Larger add-on rechargeable battery for longer events (marathon, etc.)
Purpose[edit source]
A GPS watch is commonly a sports watch (a device used for sports and exercise in general rather than just GPS functionally). It may be designed for one particular sport or another purpose, or provide modes and features to suit several.
Examples of common purposes:
- Data logging
- Navigation
- Fitness training (Many watches can be used for many sports such as running, walking, hiking, cycling, or swimming)
- Specific sport assistance (such as golf)
- Locating children and adults with intellectual disabilities that are at risk of wandering or elopement.
A Garmin fēnix 6X Sapphire smartwatch with a built-in GPS/Glonass/Galileo receiver.
History[edit source]
This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (August 2015)
TomTom Runner 2 with the orange wristband.
List of GPS Watches[edit source]
- Adidas Micoach Smart Run
- Amazfit Bip
- Amazfit Bip S
- Amazfit Bip U Pro
- Amazfit T-Rex
- Amazfit T-Rex Pro
- Apple Watch Series 2
- Apple Watch Series 3
- Apple Watch Series 4
- Bia Sport
- Casio G-Shock Rangeman GPR-B1000
- Casio G-Shock G-Squad GBD-H1000
- Casio Pathfinder
- Coros Pace 2
- Garmin Approach S1 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S2 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S3 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S4 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S5 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S6 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach S20 (golfing watch)
- Garmin Approach X40 (golfing watch)
- Garmin D2 Delta PX
- Garmin D2 Delta S
- Garmin D2 Delta
- Garmin Epix (map display watch)
- Garmin fēnix
- Garmin fēnix 2
- Garmin fēnix 3
- Garmin fēnix 5
- Garmin fēnix 5 Plus
- Garmin fēnix 6
- Garmin Foretrex 101
- Garmin Foretrex 201
- Garmin Foretrex 301
- Garmin Foretrex 401
- Garmin Foretrex 601
- Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition
- Garmin Forerunner 10
- Garmin Forerunner 15
- Garmin Forerunner 50
- Garmin Forerunner 101
- Garmin Forerunner 110
- Garmin Forerunner 201
- Garmin Forerunner 205
- Garmin Forerunner 210
- Garmin Forerunner 220
- Garmin Forerunner 225
- Garmin Forerunner 230
- Garmin Forerunner 235
- Garmin Forerunner 245
- Garmin Forerunner 245 Music
- Garmin Forerunner 301
- Garmin Forerunner 305
- Garmin Forerunner 310XT
- Garmin Forerunner 405
- Garmin Forerunner 405CX
- Garmin Forerunner 410
- Garmin Forerunner 610
- Garmin Forerunner 620
- Garmin Forerunner 630
- Garmin Forerunner 735XT
- Garmin Forerunner 910XT
- Garmin Forerunner 920XT
- Garmin Forerunner 935
- Garmin Tactix
- Garmin Quatix
- Garmin Vivoactive
- GlobalSat GH-625
- GolfBuddy WT3
- GolfBuddy WT4
- GolfBuddy WT5
- I-got GT-900
- Magellan Switch/Switch Up
- Motorola MOTOACTV
- MyTouch
- Navig8r S10 hiking & sports
- New Balance GPS Runner
- New Balance GPS Trainer
- New Balance N9 GPS Trainer
- New Balance NX950
- New Balance NX980
- New Balance NX990
- Nike+ SportWatch GPS
- PAPAGO GoWatch770
- Polar FT60
- Polar FT80
- Polar M400
- Polar RC3
- Polar RCX3
- Polar RCX5
- Polar RS300X
- Polar RS800CX
- Polar RC3 GPS
- Polar V800
- Pyle PSGP410
- Pyxis RGPS-3000
- Runtastic GPS & Heart Rate Watch
- Samsung Gear S3 - SM-R770
- Samsung Gear S3 Frontier - SM-R765
- Samsung Gear S3 Frontier LTE - RM-R760
- Seiko Astron
- Soleus GPS 1.0
- Soleus GPS 2.0
- Soleus GPS 3.0
- Suunto Ambit
- Suunto Ambit 2
- Suunto Ambit 3
- Suunto G6
- Suunto G9
- Suunto X9
- Suunto X10
- Timex Ironman Easy Trainer
- Timex Ironman ONE GPS+
- Timex Ironman Run Trainer
- Timex Ironman Run Trainer 2.0
- Timex Ironman Run x20 GPS
- Timex Ironman Global Trainer
- Timex Ironman Triathlon GPS
- Timex Marathon GPS
- TomTom Golfer
- TomTom Golfer Premium Edition
- TomTom Golfer 2
- TomTom Runner
- TomTom Runner Cardio
- TomTom Multi-Sport
- TomTom Multi-Sport Cardio
- Ultega NavRun 2K11/Pyle Sports PSWGP405BL/The Sharper Image GPS XT
- Fitbit Blaze
- Fitbit flex
- Fitbit Charge
Accelerometer-only[edit source]
These devices offer similar functions to GPS watches, but measure speed and distance using a motion sensor (built-in, or a foot pod attached to a shoe), instead of GPS. Since they do not rely on GPS, they can work indoors, but do not track location data for mapping. Certain models include heart rate monitoring, either built-in or through a chest-worn sensor. There are also a wide variety of watches that measure only heart rate and time.
- Garmin Forerunner FR60
- Garmin Forerunner FR70
- Garmin Swim
- New Balance N8 Trainer
- Nike+iPod
- Polar s625x
- Polar s725x
- Suunto Quest