Garmin just announced the release of three new tactical GPS smartwatches featuring solar charging capabilities that extend use between charges to well over a month on one model. One model even includes ballistic software for calculating long-range shooting solutions.
The three models are the Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition, tactix Delta – Solar Edition, and the tactix Delta – Solar Edition with Ballistics. In addition to significantly increased battery life through solar charging technology, these new tactical GPS watches incorporate new fitness monitoring, on-the-fly battery life customization through Power Manager, ballistic solutions provided through integrated Applied Ballistics Elite software, and a lot more.
“Garmin builds products that are essential to our customers. We understand many of these individuals depend on their gear in the world’s most challenging environments while under intense pressure. At times, stopping to charge your watch is simply not an option. Incorporating Garmin’s proven solar charging technology into the Instinct and tactix GPS smartwatches allows customers to focus on the task at hand and less on battery percentage,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice-president of global consumer sales.
“Additionally, customers who compete in long-range marksmanship will enjoy and benefit from the incorporation of Applied Ballistics Elite software in tactix Delta – Solar Edition with Ballistics,” Bartel added.
Mission-Ready Features
Packed with features for navigation and training, the Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition and tactix Delta solar editions also come preloaded with multiple features specific to tactical operations. These include night-vision goggle compatibility mode, Jumpmaster, dual-position GPS formatting, preloaded tactical activity, waypoint projection and stealth mode.
The tactix Delta solar editions also have a kill switch to wipe all user memory and revert the watch to factory settings. Individuals may find this option useful if they work in a position where data saved on their watch could be considered sensitive.
For airborne operations, individuals can use Jumpmaster for three jump types: HAHO, HALO, and Static. Set the watch to dual-positioning mode, and it will simultaneously display two sets of coordinate systems, such as MGRS and latitude/longitude, on a single data screen.
When night-vision mode is activated, the backlight settings of the screen will reduce to a level that won’t interfere with the function of night-vision goggles. Enabling stealth mode prevents storage and sharing of GPS position and quickly disables all wireless communication to and from the device.
When operating in stealth mode, GPS location position is visible on the device; however, locations are not saved to device memory or shared. This allows for training in areas with security concerns without revealing the user’s location.
Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition
Constructed to military standards (MIL-STD-810), the Instinct Tactical GPS adventure watch is a reliable tool built to endure the most challenging environments.
The Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition builds on this legacy and provides users up to 24 days of battery life in smartwatch mode or up to 54 days in smartwatch mode with sufficient solar exposure. Additionally, Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition provides up to 30 hours in GPS mode or 38 hours with sufficient solar exposure. Users can make battery-extending changes on the fly through the incorporation of Power Manager.
In addition to the robust outdoor activity and health tracking capabilities found on Instinct Tactical, the Instinct Solar – Tactical Edition now also provides Pulse Ox2 technology and Body Battery™. Pulse Ox is a noninvasive method used to measure the saturation of oxygen in the bloodstream. Body Battery is a feature that uses a combination of heart rate variability, stress, sleep and activity to estimate a user’s energy reserves throughout the day by displaying a number from 1-100 that represents an individual’s energy level. MSRP: $449.99
tactix Delta – Solar Editions
The tactix Delta – Solar Edition and tactix Delta – Solar Edition with Ballistics are the newest members of Garmin’s flagship tactical GPS smartwatch line. Featuring a solar charging lens and customizable Power Manager modes, the tactix Delta solar editions harness the power of the sun to stay on and remain mission-ready for weeks. Built to military standards (MIL-STD-810), the tactix Delta – Solar Edition uses solar charging to extend battery life, providing provide up to 21 days indoors and up to 24 days with sufficient solar exposure in smartwatch mode.
The rugged, sophisticated design features an always-on 1.4″ display, scratch-resistant sapphire lens, black DLC-coated steel bezel, black PVD-coated steel rear cover and an all-new military-inspired black tactical nylon QuickFit® band with reinforced stitching and exposed black metal hardware. With specialized tactical features as well as mapping, music, advanced training and the same smartwatch features from the fēnix 6 family, the tactix Delta – Solar Edition is built for demanding field-use and everyday wear.
The tactix Delta – Solar Edition with Ballistics incorporates Applied Ballistics Elite software to calculate aiming solutions for long-range shooting. This edition also integrates with certain SIG Sauer Ballistic Data Xchange (BDX) and Terrapin X laser rangefinders for enhanced ballistic information.
The tactix Delta – Solar Edition – MSRP: $1,099.99; tactix Delta – Solar Edition with Ballistics – MSRP: $1,399.99.