Suunto or Garmin Watches

[adamds22]

Anyone use either the Suunto or Garmin watches when hunting? I was looking at the Garmin Forerunner 235, Garmin Fenix 3 or the Suunto Traverse and wonder if anyone on here has any experience with either?

[Brendan]

Used a Garmin Epix for the last 2 years, and just upgraded to the Fenix 5x because I had a whole bunch of gift cards and a REI dividend to defray the cost...

As a training watch - I love them. I use them to log all of my workouts - runs, hikes, biking, running stairs, indoor cardio, whatever. There are certain workouts where I'm tracking timing, heart rate, etc. to see if/how I'm improving.

For Navigation - if you want maps you'll need the Epix or the Fenix5x - maps are not available on any of the other Garmin Units. I use mine primarily to log a route, and as a backup navigation device if my primary fails. While the mapping is sufficient - I'd probably drive myself crazy if that's all I had. My primary is GAIA on my phone in a waterproof case, so I don't need to carry a standalone GPS much any more (My Montana 650 usually gets left in the truck)

They also work great as an every day watch, altimeter, barometer, step tracker, etc etc.

No experience with Suunto - but I've used Garmin products for a long time.

Probably the best review site for stuff like this on the net:
https://www.dcrainmaker.com/

[Idahonian]

I use a Suunto Ambit 2 (the "run" version, Ambit 2R). Primarily for my running but also for hunting. It's fantastic. I wouldn't use it as my only option; I always have paper maps and a compass. But it's extremely convenient to mark waypoints/points of interest, backtrack if needed, navigate to waypoints that you've either created during the day or before the trip, see how far the truck is, navigate using distance and elevation, etc. My GPS unit has the same functionality, but I just never seem to dig it out of my pack and use the functions. The Suunto on my wrist and very easy and quick to use. I just flat-out use the functionality. Of course, I also use it on a nearly daily basis while trail running, so I'm used to it.

I also love being able to download the track later and upload to Google Earth. You can then see not only the mileage/elevation gain, but also where those waypoints are, where your elk encounters are, etc. Really helps put into context your hunt. For me, I've been looking at my tracks and elk encounters from last season and finding new locations with similar characteristics for this one. Fun, if nothing else.

[Wahpeton]

Currently using a Garmin Fenix2. After the learning curve I really like it. Works really well to track my exercise routine (biking, hiking)

The map feature is totally useless, screen is way too small with not enough detail.

Works great to navigate to a waypoint, set waypoints, compass, etc.

The backlight is not so good for old eyes.

I'm pretty frugal and was able to pick this watch up last August for $130 off ebay.
I think it's a great bang for your buck to have a GPS on your wrist.

I know I'm way behind the curve on lifecycles of these devices, but now that I know how to use this I really don't want to update.

That's it.