Garmin Instinct GPS Watch, Why Is It So Popular?

One of the worst situations you can find yourself in is being stranded or lost without a sense of direction in the backcountry. When backcountry camping or hiking, having a GPS is key. So why are so many hikers turning towards a wearable GPS Watch rather than just a regular GPS Tracker?

What is the GPS, and why is it so important?

The Global Positioning System (or GPS as we call it) is a network of satellites and ground stations that coordinate with each other to pinpoint your location at any time. The accuracy of GPS increases as time goes on, with more and more satellites orbiting Earth every year. Your device transmits a signal out, which each satellite near you picks up. The signal is then reflected back to the device to provide your location. The accuracy of your GPS relies on the amount of satellites in orbit close to you simultaneously, between 4-10.

Pairing a GPS with a printed map and compass can save you a lot of time and backtracking when out on the trail. Most GPS come with a way to download and track routes before starting on them yourself, so they can help ensure you are on the right path. In the worst case scenario, it can give you a way to contact emergency services in the case of an accident. Knowing where you are is vital, which is why I recommend anyone interested in serious backpacking invest in a GPS of some kind.

The Perks:

The Garmin Instinct is the less-fancy cousin of other watches on the market, but it performs what it needs to really well, and it is much tougher than some other expensive models. Garmin makes a lot of GPS Related products, and this watch has swiftly become one of their most popular items.

The Garmin Instinct can:

• Tell the time (duh)

• Is water and weather resistant

• Uses multiple different GPS models for accurate positioning

• Monitors your heart rate, distance, time on trail, overall height gain, etc.

• Can connect up to your smartphone to receive and send alerts/texts

The Drawbacks:

Even with a product like this one, there will be downsides. Despite the relative inexpensiveness of this GPS compared to some others on the market, there are a few things some users think you should know:

• The software: The watch is incredibly strong and accurate, but the accompanying software from Garmin gives users some trouble.

• Garmin’s accompanying App also doesn’t hold up with the strength of this watch.

• Some users have had trouble with the battery life in the long term, but it isn’t universal

It’s good to take a moment to consider your needs, and what you want to use your watch for. A lot of people use it every day for work, or hike frequently enough to use it every week. If you are planning to use it just for the occasional hike, have a look at other GPS' specific to your needs on Amazon here .

• GPS Watch
• Backpacking
• Safety
• Hiking