Introduction
Watches with a Compass – in order to choose the best watch for your needs, you need to know what features to look. If you’re a swimmer, you’ll be wanting a swimming watch. If you’re into triathlons, you’ll need a multisport watch.
Activities aside, there are different environments that your watch will need to be suited to. If you’re into outdoor adventures, you’ll want a compass watch.
A compass watch should be simple to set and read. It should be lightweight enough to avoid any unnecessary bulk on your wrist or getting caught in a sleeve.
Let’s have a look at some top-rated compass watches. Spoiler alert, this list is Casio-heavy.
Casio PAG240T-7CR
$198 / £154
This rounded offering from Casio (known as The Pathfinder) weighs only 114g. It has a solid, 51mm stainless steel case, mineral glass, a digital display and a titanium band.
This watch is solar-powered. It has a triple sensor, which provides an altimeter as well as a barometer, thermometer and, of course, a compass.
This watch has a design you won’t find anywhere else. It also has a unique resistance to low-temperatures for adventures in all seasons.
Furthermore, it offers a useful backlight with an after-glow which gives the watch great readability in low lighting. It can show 31 timezones and displays them with the city code.
This watch also has up to five alarms. Optional daylight savings and tells you how much battery power you have left. The time format is your choice, 12 or 24 hour. It also has a timer with countdown feature, a calendar that updates itself, a battery saving mode and it’s water-resistant up to 100m.
Advantages
- Fantastic features
- Solar-powered so no need for a charger
- Accessible price
- Fantastic features
Disadvantages
- Although it’s got a 10ATM rating, this isn’t dive-worthy
Casio G-Shock GA-1000-8A
$250 / £210
This model is heavy at just under 81g. It has both digital and analogue display on a round face. The band is 25.4mm and both case and band are resin.
The design is pretty special, featuring a grey and black dial with a powerful yellow G-Shock logo and numbers. There’s a timer and a backlight that allows the wearer to see the time, day or night.
It features a thermometer and compass, as well as a reliable calendar that tells you the day, date and month. The watch is water-resistant up to 200m.
Advantages
- Unique, striking design
- High-quality
- Rugged
- Good water-resistance
- Accurate compass
- Handy thermometer
Disadvantages
- Some think the strap is too short
Casio Men’s SGW100B-3V
$140 / £110
This watch also offers a display in digital format. It has a calendar which displays the day, date and month.
It offers a stopwatch as well as a compass and can show the time in several major cities. Furthermore, it has a backlight so you can see this information at night. Like the above, it has some rugged features like 200m water-resistance, vibration-resistance and low-temperature resistance. This is thanks to the hardened mineral glass over the face and carbon on the case. It’s quite chunky at 51.2mm by 14.1mm. The wristband is resin, which is great for sporty people.
It’s both functional and reliable for outdoor adventures where going in the right direction is key. The battery will last up to three years, which isn’t at all bad.
Advantages
- Comfortable on the wrist
- Durable thanks to the materials
- A lot of great functionality for a reasonable cost
Disadvantages
- The backlight time doesn’t last long enough
- It’s quite chunky for smaller wrists.
Timex Expedition
Around $70 / £55
Anything you buy from Timex is going to serve you well. This one has a digital display with a black face, while the band, bezel and case are all resin, meaning this watch is ready for tough treatment. The case itself is 48mm by 16mm so slightly smaller than others mentioned here.
It has an ISO certified shock-resistance rating. This watch has Timex’s signature Indiglo backlight for seeing in low lighting (and you can learn more about the Indiglo collection, here) and a calendar displaying the date. It also offers a superb water-resistance rating of 2ATM (200m), so you can safely embark on above-surface sports, but it’s still not recommended for diving.
The digital compass acts as a wonderful guide.
Advantages
- Digital compass is decent
- Shock-resistance of ISO standard
- Materials suitable for outdoor torture testing
Disadvantages
- Reports say the wristband snaps easily
Casio SGW500H-1BV
$79.99 / £59.99
This next Casio is round with a striking black and blue colouring. The blue is on the band, the buttons and the bezel.
The case measures just shy of 49mm. On the face sits a patented hardened mineral. It offers water-resistance up to 100m, so you can comfortably take it snorkelling.
It can tell the time in up to 48 cities and offers that time in 12 or 24hr format. The digital compass is easy to use and accurate. It also offers a countdown timer, stopwatch and thermometer.
Advantages
- Offers digital and analogue display
- Can swear it swimming or snorkelling
- LED afterglow gives great readability in the dark
Disadvantages
- Reviews say it’s not scratch-resistant
- The wristband apparently snaps easily
- No backlight for use in low lighting
Summary
If you’re interested in a compass watch, then a GPS watch might also be good for you. GPS watches are typically made for those who enjoy the outdoors and are built to be rugged. Check out our review of the best GPS smartwatches, here.
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Last Updated on December 22, 2020
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