There have been many GPS watches. They have all had their various Achilles heels'. Bulk, battery life, limited navigation... But this Garmin fenix looks like it may be the first true wrist mounted GPS that hits all the marketing waypoints. Most GPS watches have been made for the fitness market and track your position just fine. But, there's no way to upload a map or route to use one to guide you to and from an objective.
This is the first viable wrist mounted option for those that need navigation. I'm looking at this as the evolution of the almost wrist-ready Fortrex 401. Garmin says it will take uploaded routes from a computer or wirelessy from another watch (say, your team leader) just like the Foretrex 401.
Add good looks, and the obligatory altimeter, barometer and compass functions and a 50 hour rechargeable battery and you've got nearly a full blown GPS navigation unit on your wrist. Look for them to hit the market this fall for $400.
More after the jump and at Garmin's website.
moreThe Garmin fenix is the first GPS navigator+ABC wristwatch to include Garmin GPS navigation. Designed for outdoor enthusiasts, it satisfies the lofty requirements of the serious adventurer. It's very easy to use and packed with many of the same features found on our popular outdoor handheld GPS products. As a true GPS navigator, it can guide you off the trail and back to the safety of your vehicle, trailhead, campsite or home. All while conveniently strapped to your wrist.
You can create and follow routes, mark up to 1,000 waypoints, store up to 10,000 track points and easily navigate to them. Share data wirelessly with other compatible Garmin GPS units and smartphones. Naturally, as a navigating GPS+ABC watch, it also includes an altimeter, barometer, 3-axis electronic compass and temperature sensor. Rugged, stylish and waterproof to 50m (164 ft), it's as comfortable in the cement, steel and glass jungle as it is escaping the beaten path to life's greatest adventures.
Navigate Your Way
No other navigator GPS+ABC wristwatch offers you the GPS navigation capabilities of Garmin — The world's most trusted name in GPS navigation. fēnix tracks where you have been, but it also can guide you into the wilderness and, more importantly, guide you back out again. After all, what good does it do you to collect data, if you can't use it to find your way back to your computer to download it?
It records a track log creating a GPS "bread crumb trail" as you move. It also allows you to mark waypoints, such as your campsite, vehicle location or other POIs (points of interest). With fenix, you can create and follow routes, mark up to 1,000 waypoints and store up to 10,000 track points. You even can create routes that can be downloaded to fēnix from BaseCamp™, free trip-planning software, from a computer. Then, follow the navigation arrow to waypoints. To get back, just have TracBack® show you the way.
Enjoy Wristwatch Convenience
Rugged and attractive, the fenix also is a highly accurate timepiece that can be worn everyday. It includes settings for alarms, chimes and vibration alerts. It also functions as a timer, stopwatch and world
