When things go south, it’s nice to know that you have the tools to get yourself out of the woods. A good survival watch can be a useful addition to your kit—especially if you are going on an extended backcountry hike and need a backup for your phone’s GPS and compass.
These watches come with features like a secondary compass, barometer, thermometer, and altimeter that are crucial in keeping track of changing weather conditions, tracking elevation, and catching sudden drops in temperature.
They can also prove useful if you find yourself lost in the woods or stranded after a crash. But how do you know which one is right for you? Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing the right survival watch.
Check the Functions
The first thing to look for in a survival watch is a clear indication of its functions. While most of these watches have similar basic features, some go above and beyond. A good watch will have a secondary compass on the side, an altimeter, a barometer, a thermometer, and a way to track your progress.
Some will also have a way to track the moon’s cycle, which can be useful if you are hunting or doing any other activity that requires long hours in the dark. A secondary GPS, a way to make/take calls, and a built-in flashlight are some of the fancier additions you might see.
You can find these features in some higher-end watches, but they are not necessary for a good survival watch.
Water Resistance
Since you’ll most likely be taking your survival watch into the great outdoors, it’s a good idea to choose one that is water-resistant. However, be aware that the “water resistance” rating on watches is actually measured in bars. With that in mind, the most common water resistance rating you’ll see is 100 meters.
This means that the watch can withstand water pressures up to 100 meters deep. However, keep in mind that these ratings are not exact, and you should not take them as a guarantee that your watch will survive 100 meters of water pressure. While the watch is running, it should be able to withstand a few splashes of water. However, you should not submerge it.
Battery Life
Some survival watches are solar-powered, meaning that they run solely on the energy collected from sunlight. These watches tend to have longer battery life and are often more durable.
However, you’ll need to keep them outside and exposed to the sun in order for them to charge up. Others are powered by replaceable batteries that you must keep an eye on. While it is easy to forget to charge a solar-powered watch, you risk wearing out the battery if you forget to charge it.
If you are in a survival situation, you may not have time to charge it and you might forget that it needs a charge. Some watches have a long battery life while others only last a few months, so it’s important to keep this in mind when choosing a watch.
Strap and Durability
Whether you are hiking, biking or hunting, you are likely to get your watch caught in brush, snag it on trees and scrape it against rocks. This can quickly destroy a watch that is not built to withstand rugged conditions.
Avoid watches that have a plastic strap and look for a watch that has a metal or leather strap instead. This will help protect the watch from debris and you can use the metal strap as a makeshift tool. A metal-bodied watch also tends to be more durable than a plastic one.
However, even metal watches can be destroyed if you are not careful. Choose a watch that is built for the types of activities you engage in and one that can withstand frequent falls and scrapes.
How It’s Powered
Most survival watches are primarily solar-powered. However, some are powered by kinetic energy, which means that they are self-winding and charge as you move. This energy can also be used to power the watch’s functions. While these watches are cool, they are also more expensive.
They also tend to be louder than solar-powered watches, so they are not as discreet. If you plan to use your watch in a survival situation and want to avoid being detected, a solar-powered watch is a way to go.
GPS and Where to Find It
Some high-end survival watches also have a built-in GPS. While this can be incredibly useful, it also poses a risk. If you are in a situation where you need to stay hidden, a GPS can be loud and easy to detect. If you are trekking in the backcountry, you can avoid this by turning off the GPS.
However, if you are in a survival situation and need it, you may have a harder time turning it off. If you are buying a watch with GPS, look for one that allows you to turn off the GPS from the watch and turn it on from a remote location. Some watches allow you to do this with a smartphone app.
Conclusion
When it comes to survival, it’s best to be prepared. A survival watch can be an incredibly useful tool if you find yourself in a survival situation. With a survival watch, you can track your progress, stay on course and keep an eye on changing weather conditions.
A survival watch is not a complete replacement for a map and compass, but it can be a helpful addition to your kit. When buying a survival watch, look for one with a secondary compass, an altimeter, a barometer, a thermometer, and a way to track your progress.
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