What Garmin are you wearing?

[Smash123]

Hi All
Currently prepping for my Camino - Arles to . . . ? possibly to Compostella. The last time, I had a fitbit, and my phone for maps. I have since ditched the fitbit for an Apple watch, but there's no way I would do a Camino with a watch that needs such frequent charging. That said, it's really a gift to simply look at the watch to see a map, directions, a text or receive a phone call. I am thinking about going Garmin for my next Camino. Tell me what model you have used and why. The choice is overwhelming!
Thanks

- Edited to add - Don't tell me I don't need one, okay? Fine if you don't have one, maybe just let those who use one respond to this. Cheers!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hmm, I use my Fitbit to keep my cardiologist off my back and my iPhone for navigation when necessary. Mapy.cz is quite good for that but I find a general sense of direction and paying attention to waymarks works best. I’ve been impressed over the years by just how many times I’ve missed a waymark because I have been looking at some sodding gadget or another

 

[tjz]

It's pricey and overkill, but I love my Garmin Forerunner 965. I used a 935 before that and loved it too. My wife uses a 265S. We primarily use them for running, but they are very nice for the Camino as well - easily lasts a whole day or two without needing charging.

It's really cool to check out the tracks from years past and relive the memories.

That said, I almost never use the builtin map while on the Camino - that's what my phone is for.

 

[Smash123]

Hmm, I use my Fitbit to keep my cardiologist off my back and my iPhone for navigation when necessary. Mapy.cz is quite good for that but I find a general sense of direction and paying attention to waymarks works best. I’ve been impressed over the years by just how many times I’ve missed a waymark because I have been looking at some sodding gadget or another

I will check out Mapy, but also have zero sense of direction, and waymarks work great, but you have to be near the Chemin/Camino to see them. I have a knack for getting really lost

 

[Tincatinker]

I will check out Mapy, but also have zero sense of direction, and waymarks work great, but you have to be near the Chemin/Camino to see them. I have a knack for getting really lost

The Corporal who taught me dead-reckoning navigation and how to read a map gave me one really good piece of advice: “slow down, your target isn’t moving. Your job is to get there”.

 

[dick bird]

The Chemin d'Arles is mainly (if not all) GR and the GR system of waymarking is infinitely superior to the yellow arrow system having been devised before GPS existed. Keep your eyes on the route and you should be fine. The only time you will really need GPS is in towns and cities where Google Maps would serve just as well.

 

[Smash123]

The Chemin d'Arles is mainly (if not all) GR and the GR system of waymarking is infinitely superior to the yellow arrow system having been devised before GPS existed. Keep your eyes on the route and you should be fine. The only time you will really need GPS is in towns and cities where Google Maps would serve just as well.

Yep, I did the Le Puy and managed to get very very lost. The way markers are great if you're anywhere near them. But the watch is not just for mapping.

 

[dougfitz]

I have used Garmin watches, fitness bands and handheld GPS units for nearly two decades. I don't think you are going to find anything significantly better than your current Apple watch if charging frequency is your main concern. My epix might last several days as a sports-watch tracking steps and heartrate, but as soon as it is used in GPS mode, battery life drops to around 8 hours. More modern watches will have improved on this, and you might get a couple of days life.

My preference these days is to use my phone with the OSMAnd+ app and Wise Pilgrim, carry an etrex32x with the route that I am walking loaded, and use an analogue watch. That combination has served me well and I expect it will continue to do so. I very occasionally use Google Maps in a town or city, but don't find it useful otherwise. If you are going to use your phone elsewhere for navigation, get a decent mapping app. As I said, I use OSMAnd+, but MapyCZ seems to get good reports, as do most other apps focussed on outdoors sports.

 

[Paul-CH]

I went from Arles to Puente la Reina in 2022. With my GARMIN Instinct Solar but using the GPS to record the track, battery lasts approx. 20h. Otherwise I just following the GR markers and when I liked to know when I will get my next coffee I checked the map on the iPhone for the next town, restaurant or bar. I also used the map on intersections, when I had to select between the "original" way or a "variant" in order which way will be better for me, depending on the weather.