Navigation on the wrist: Smartwatches for sailors: Garmin, Apple Watch & Co.
Smartwatches are more than just a stylish alternative to the classic wristwatch: for sailors, they offer tangible features, are well-made regatta start timers and mobile, waterproof instruments. This not only pleases dinghy and small boat sailors who do not have any electronic devices on board but would like to track their speed, course and route. The watches can also be used as anchor watches and are equipped with MOB functions and much more.
Garmin Quatix 6
The Garmin Quatix 6* is, like its predecessor models, a smartwatch specially tailored to water sports enthusiasts with its own software that works completely independently. It can be paired with a smartphone using either an Android or iOS app. The Quatix 6 comes with extensive water sports functions for sailing, such as pre-installed maps and the option to connect to other devices with Garmin marine devices or an NMEA2000 connector. For example, the Garmin autopilot can be conveniently operated from the foredeck with the Quatix 6. The watch streams ship data, is lightweight, robust and has an extremely long battery life. 589 euros.
The more expensive Garmin Quatix 6 Titanio comes with an ultra-light titanium bracelet, a scratch-resistant sapphire lens and an interchangeable silicone strap. 969 euros.
Apple Watch 6
The Apple Watch 6* is not made for sailors by default, but can also become an ideal companion on board thanks to the many apps available. Once the apps have been installed, the Apple Watch can do almost everything that the Garmin can do: Display boat data, show boat's own instruments such as wind or depth gauge via Wi-Fi in iSailor, create tracks with speed data in maps (via Windspeed), compass, MOB functions, regatta timer (Race Master), anchor alarm (Anchor Pro, iSailor), waypoints (via iSailor). 418 euros.
Samsung Galaxy Watch3
As the Apple Watch only works with an iPhone, Android users need a different solution: and can find one in the Samsung Galaxy Watch3*. It comes in a chronograph look and looks more like a classic watch than a smartwatch. Like the Apple Watch, it can be upgraded to an on-board companion via the corresponding Android apps. From 270 euros.
Suunto Baro 9
Visually, the Suunto is somewhere between an Apple Watch and a classic watch, while inside it is a sports watch in its purest form with over 80 selectable sports and a barometer. The Suunto Baro 9* is particularly robust and delivers long battery life despite GPS use. 599 euros.
You can also read a detailed system comparison between the pure water sports watch from Garmin and smartwatches such as the Apple Watch in the paid test report in the pdf download.
You will find further interesting offers in the Shop.
