I’m new to outdoor smartwatches, and I’m trying to figure out the benefits of LTE, GPS, and maps on a watch. Would they be useful in tough situations, like getting lost in a forest?
I’m considering buying a Fenix 8, but I want to understand if it’s worth the price for my needs. Thanks in advance! Right now, I have an OPW2.
LTE means your watch can connect to mobile networks like your phone, so you can call, text, or use data without your phone. This needs a mobile provider plan. Watches like Wear OS or Apple Watch use this well for things like navigation apps, but it only works where you have mobile coverage. Some phones now support limited satellite connection for emergencies.
GPS uses satellites to find your location. Modern watches often use multiple satellite systems like GPS (US), GLONASS (Russia), or Galileo (EU). Multi-band GPS is even better because it connects to more satellites, which helps in tricky areas like dense forests or cities with tall buildings.
Maps come in two types. Online maps, like Google Maps, need data to load directions and map info. Offline maps are stored on your watch and don’t need internet. These can show your position and routes you create on your phone or computer. Garmin, for example, offers full offline maps with details like street names and points of interest. You can plan routes and get turn-by-turn directions without needing a phone connection.
I hope that helps explain things a bit!
@Weston
Thanks, this really clears things up for me!
The Fenix 8 has maps built into the watch, so if your phone battery dies, you’ll still have a map on your wrist.
But it doesn’t have LTE. It can do most things on its own, but for syncing with the cloud or getting notifications, it needs your phone nearby.
@Lior
You’re right that it needs a phone for notifications and apps that use data, like weather. But it can sync your health and fitness data directly to the cloud using Wi-Fi or even through a PC/Mac with Garmin Express.