The best watch for bushwalking

[GPSGuided]

Needed to carry a USB-Lightening cable anyway for the iPhone, so IF the iWatch also uses the same connector, I wouldn't complain. At the same time, iWatch spec is yet to be released.

[icefest]

My personal preference is a 10$ digital waterproof watch from Kmart.

I only use it for timing my pace and at night to check the time.

I used to have a solar ABC Casio watch but the hassle and worry about loss and scratching the face of it made it counter-productive.

I usually wear an analogue compass and have a GPS on while walking anyway - so I hardly miss the ABC features.

[ErichFromm]

I have a Casio Protrek Pathfinder that I got from the US. Not at all bulky. Can't remember the model but it's one that is supposed to update the time automatically based on a radio signal (which is useless as Australia doesn't have it).

To be honest all I use is the compass, alarm, and barometer. The compass is awesome as I don't have to dig out my big plastic one from my bag while walking. The alarm, as someone else has mentioned, is far too quiet. Even the barometer is fairly useless as you can already tell just by looking at the sky if rain is close...

Don't buy a watch if it needs batteries is my big learning. My work watch costs more than $50 to have the battery replaced - and that adds up....

[walkerchris77]

The barometer is ment to predicted the weather 12 to 24hr a head of the current time. My barometer is spot on.

[Eljimberino]

Have been looking at watches recently. Thinking seriously about a Protrek 3000. Anyone have one?

Cheapest I can find is about $280 AUD online.

No store in Perth stock them.


Ride On

[corvus]

Go for it Elb ?
I have owned and used a Casio PRG-50YT-1VDR since 2004 and it has served me well ,never missed a beat ,gives accurate recordings and despite being a tad large has only one small scratch on the face , good to have an accurate compass on you wrist in a total "clag" would not go "bush"without mine.
corvus

[Eljimberino]

Solar Power is the ticket.


Ride On

[keithy]

Have been looking at watches recently. Thinking seriously about a Protrek 3000. Anyone have one?

Cheapest I can find is about $280 AUD online.

No store in Perth stock them.


Ride On

If you're not set on the Protrek PRW3000 have a look at the PRG270. Uses the same V3 sensors, and same functions, with slightly smaller display, and no atomic radio (which is pretty patchy for us downunder anyway).

I picked one up last year, and have used it in the past two months hiking in Romania, Scandinavia and Iceland. I had come from a Suunto Core watch, but had issues having two battery changes in the Suunto in 8 months, so sent it back to the distributor who sent me a new watch. The Casio Protrek is almost on par with the Suunto Core in most features, although doesn't do alti lock, but I found most things I used the PRG270 for (the compass, barometer and thermometer) was spot on.

I bought it from Amazon.com last year for around about AUD$100-$110 including shipping. It's probably going to be a bit more expensive now due to the exchange rate being worse than last year, and the fluctuation in price over at Amazon.

[findbuddha]

Ryda.com.au have some cheap stock of the Suunto Core at the moment, just received mine today

[Eljimberino]

Thanks for the advice Keithy


Ride On

[walkerchris77]

If your not worried about buying from the usa u can save lots. My pathfinder was $330 here in a Melbourne shop. I got it delivered for $204 from the usa. Fantastic watch.

[Eljimberino]

Who did you purchase it from Chris? For the model I'm after I'd need a forwarder. May as well go ebay then.


Ride On

[keithy]

Who did you purchase it from Chris? For the model I'm after I'd need a forwarder. May as well go ebay then.

I just checked Amazon again and for some reason, the PRG270 I bought from them earlier in the year and shipped to Melbourne won't ship to Australia anymore. But these PRW3000's will:

Blue - http://www.amazon.com/Casio-PRW-3000-2B ... B00KS62W5M ($200.47 USD)
Pink - http://www.amazon.com/Casio-PRW-3000-4B ... B00KS62W16 ($187.30 USD)

Shipping to melbourne is USD $8.98 for one watch.

If you're getting from the US, and in no hurry, wait for the Black Friday sales - might become cheaper.

[dugsuth]

Bit late to the party, but I have the Protrek 3000, it's very good, have compared the alti and baro readings to other devices and have been close or spot on. The atomic function hasn't ever worked for me (even in Darwin and Townsville, wasn't close enough) but I love the watch, would definitely buy again.

[walkerchris77]

Who did you purchase it from Chris? For the model I'm after I'd need a forwarder. May as well go ebay then.


Ride On

Ebay.com.au "outfittercountry" 99.6% positive feedback over 76,000 items sold. Delivers to Australia free.
my watch now $174. From usa. Still $330 in Australia.

[keithy]

Have a look at Amazon if you're still interested in the PRW3000.

The price of the black one with the positive display has come down again, but not sure how long for this time - http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00H3XHK64

USD$189.99 plus shipping of $8.98 (or free if you have an Amex card with the promo that they have now).

[madmacca]

How do people feel about Smart watches like

Suunto Ambit 3 Peak
Garmin Fenix 2

(Apart from the price?)

[keithy]

How do people feel about Smart watches like

Suunto Ambit 3 Peak
Garmin Fenix 2

Have a look at dcrainmaker's blog. He does really good in depth reviews on GPS watches, amongst other things. For my money though, it depends on what you want to use it for.

For tracking/logging trails it's pretty good, but battery life could be an issue if you are traveling for long periods. The Garmin Fenix/Tactix series has a battery saving mode which logs GPS waypoints once every minute instead of more regularly, and they say that it can do 50+hrs in that mode, and the battery is relatively small, so should recharge should be relatively quick - even from a USB battery pack.

You can use it for navigation as well, re-tracing your routes, and for the Garmin at least, there is an undocumented way of getting basic maps (about 10mb limited by the amount of memory on the watch). But realistically if you want to do navigation with it you're better off using a handheld GPS.

[walkerchris77]

Yes battery life would be my biggest problem. If its any thing like a smart phone which needs to be on the charger 24hr a day then no thanks.