Garmin has a couple of items that will be of interest to SSD readers.
First up is the tactix, a tactical training GPS watch. Sure, it’s a watch, but it’s also a GPS device that allows you to drop up to 10,000 breadcrumb points and 1,000 TracBack points meaning it vectors you to return to the point of origin. The tactix also offers barometric altimeter and electronic 3D compass. As a watch the battery lasts for 5 weeks, with sensors, you’re at 3 weeks. When you enable GPS, it goes to 50 hours. But, you can recharge via USB. Waterproof to 50m, night vision readable and integrates preloaded tidal data and Jumpmaster software.
Second is the VIRB Elite. It’s a GPS and wi-fi enabled HD action camera. The VIRB offers true HD at 1080p with a 16MP CMOS sensor. It also interfaces with an iOS or Android app that allows you to control it remotely. In addition to GPS stamp, you can also record barometer and G-load data.
As always, I prefer to purchase my Garmin products for personal use I go to www.strohmanenterprise.com. Unit and agencies contact www.ADSinc.com.
I recently wrote a ‘sort-of’ review for the Taxtix on my website.
https://thebloke.co.nz/practising-navigation-garmin-tactix/
Could of things for me –
Get the Fenix 2, not Taxtix (personally).
The Battery life for ‘gps’ use can be longer – it depends if you decide to leave the gps on, or just turn it on momentarily to get a fix, then back off. That way, it will still run for days easily.
It has really become a quick refence tool for me. If I need to record tracks (for LandSAR) I take out the E-Trex 30 – but if I am just wandering, the Tactix is fine.
Tempe recording outside bivvy temperatures is also nice. See how cold it gets out!
I’ve already mentioned that here, but I’d say it again – tactix and fenix have undocumented ability to display simple vector maps, like trail maps. And you can make IMG maps for it by yourself – there are plenty of third-party unofficial converters. So, it could save you a bit more time than if you just reading the grid coordinates.
Here’s another review:
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2013/10/garmin-tactix-review.html
Great website if you do endurance sports and use electronics in the great outdoors.
As much as I wanted to like the Fenix, at least it’s first iteration, it was extremely buggy at best. To Garmin’s credit, they have worked a lot to smoothen this out with time, but it had taken upwards of a year to get it to that point. I stand by my choice of a Suunto Ambit2, though it is not as good for pure navigation (more geared to the athlete/adventurer) given it’s reliance on Movescount.
For military purposes, I couldn’t get past the rechargeable battery. I own a Garmin Foretrex 401 for that reason. If you know how to work a map and compass, this is the perfect reference tool IMHO. AAA batteries, very tactile, and excellent reception (though the Ambit2 does edge it out in that category). If anything, the Foretrex line needs a refresh or at least a firmware update.
Totally agree with the Foretrex series, having deployed numerous places in the world, I carry a pair of Foretrex 101s that I have had for many years and they work perfect for all environments, the batteries last much longer and I have been in numerous locations with limited recharging ability.