Best Watches to Wear During Hunting - Expert's Guide and Reviews (2024)

Most hunters who hunt out of passion prefer to just relax in the woods while hunting for prey. They don’t like keeping track of time or choosing a specific path. Instead, they prefer to roam around on their own, enjoy nature and when the right time comes, catch some prey.

For this reason, most hunting grounds do not have specified paths for hunters to walk on. However, this could lead to the hunters getting lost in the woods, having no clue how to get back home. This is where hunting watches come in. These watches provide the hunter with GPS location to make it easier for them to return home. However, this is just one of their many great features.

In this article, we will provide you with detailed reviews along with the pros and cons of the Best Hunting Watches available at the moment. Let’s go!

Top 11 Hunting Watches in 2021 Reviews:

1- Suunto Traverse Alpha:

The first product that we would like to present is our top favorite hunting watch, the Suunto Traverse Alpha. With a textile band, this watch is easy on the hands, causing no irritation or discomfort to the user. The quartz-type movement ensures the accuracy and efficient working of the watch. This watch offers a matrix-type display along with a 50 mm diameter for easy viewing. This watch features a sturdy stainless-steel bezel that survives all conditions and stays intact despite accidents and falls.

The premium quality scratch-proof sapphire crystal glass not only offers a classy look but keeps your watch looking brand new for a very long time. In addition, the nylon strap is also super durable along with being water repellant so that rain and moisture do not affect the working of the watch. The Suunto Traverse Alpha comes with a unique shot detection technology that helps keep track of where and when you shoot.

It does so by accurately mapping all the GPS coordinates of the location of your shot so that you can view it later on. The GPS is of course also helpful in keeping track of your path and helping you find your path on the way back by using the latest automatic breadcrumb trail which is also compatible with the Suunto Movescount application available for both iOS and Android.

The watch also features a moon phase calendar which is location-based with set times of moonset and moonrise in order to make it easier for you to determine the best times for fishing and hunting. It is rated for temperatures ranging from 20 ° C to 60° C. It is handmade in Finland and runs on battery type rechargeable lithium-ion.

In time mode, the Suunto Traverse Alpha has a battery life of 14 days. When working on training mode while using GPS, the watch delivers battery times of 10,15, and 100 hours depending on the quality of GPS being used. Alerts include weather trend alerts, sunrise and sunset alerts, and vibration alerts. The watch uses Bluetooth smart for radio communication.

The customizable red backlight on the watch is night vision goggle compatible and helps you stay hidden and unnoticed. In order to walk in the dark, it also offers a built-in flashlight that discreetly illuminates the surroundings with only a pinch. Having been tested against MIL-STD 819G (military standards), this watch is the perfect fit for your hunting needs.

Finally, the built-in barometric pressure not only helps you keep track of weather changes but also accurately tracks your ascent. However, the watch does not change time zones automatically so you will have to do that on your own. All in all, we love the Suunto Traverse Alpha for its unique features and accurate readings.

2- LB LIEBIG Compass Army Watch – Digital Sports Watch for Men:

The next product on our list is the LB LIEBIG Compass Army Watch. It is built using ABS and comes in a classy red color. The altimeter in this watch uses an altitude graph to measure the height in addition to the 24-hour history so that you can keep track of your path. It features a barometer for measuring air pressure so that you are aware of the weather conditions at all times.

Also, the thermometer on the watch can display temperatures from -10°C to 60°C and can also switch between °C and ℉. Using the temperature and pressure readings, the watch provides a forecast of the upcoming weather so that you can plan your trip accordingly.

The military-style design of the watch allows you to use it for multiple purposes including various outdoor activities. In addition, the dual time and compass function of the watchpoints you in the right direction so that you can efficiently continue your hunt. The watch also features some sports functions including countdown, pedometer, stopwatch, and dual time, making it the perfect gear for outdoor adventure enthusiasts. The pace and pedometer functions make it easier for you to track your speed and steps so that you are aware of your exercise conditions.

In addition, the memory storage keeps a record of the steps, distance, sports time and calories of the past week without requiring to connect to the app. The LB LIEBIG Compass Army Watch features a premium quality ABS case along with a durable Hardlex crystal which makes it perfect for heavy-duty use. The watch works on quartz movement and features a digital display which makes it easier for you to read all parameters. For the user’s comfort, the watch offers a PU strap along with a stainless-steel buckle which is suitable for wrists ranging from 6.7 to 9 inches.

The watch is completely water-resistant up to 50M or 164 ft. Other basic features of the watch include a calendar showing day, date, and month, 2 independent alarms, and a dual time zone. Lastly, the backlight allows for easy viewing in the dark. However, the watch does not offer Bluetooth connectivity. In conclusion, the LB LIEBIG Compass Army Watch offers user-friendly and durable features at a very affordable price.

3- Garmin Instinct – Best Outdoor Watch with GPS:

Available in a beautiful tundra color, the Garmin Instinct Watch is another product that has astonished us with its amazing features. This beast of a watch can easily survive even the worst conditions due to its rugged exterior. This watch has been specially built according to military standards (810G) for water (100m), shock, and thermal resistance. It also features a built-in 3-axis compass in addition to a barometric altimeter. Along with that, you also have access to various global navigation satellite systems including Glonass, GPS, and Galileo.

These allow you to track in difficult conditions and environments with absolute ease. The watch also allows you to monitor your activity, heart rate, and stress to keep track of your health. The Garmin Instinct Watch also gives you the option to train easily using preloaded activity profiles. This makes the watch suitable for various outdoor activities. The watch can be connected to a compatible smartphone which will give you automatic notifications and alerts. The app also automatically uploads your data to the Garmin Connect online fitness community which allows you to share your accomplishments and journey with others.

If you get lost in the woods, you can always just use the trackback feature to easily track your way back to the starting point. In addition, the Garmin explore application and website allows you to easily plan your hunting trip in advance. The watch also offers an amazing battery life which does not require frequent charging. However, the watch does not feature automatic shot detection. In conclusion, we are great fans of this Watch and we would surely recommend it to you.

4- Casio Men’s Pro Trek – Multifunction Digital Sport Watch:

Casio is a brand known for various types of high-quality gadgets one of which is the Casio Men’s Pro-Trek. This imported watch is made out of premium quality plastic and has a Japanese quartz-type watch movement. It runs on solar power which gives it a long battery life, about 9 months without any exposure to light and is also quite sustainable.

With a 100m water resistance, you can take this watch in the snow or for fishing and it will run perfectly well throughout the trip. Low-temperature resistance allows you to use the watch easily in really cold conditions. The accuracy of the watch ranges around +/- 15 seconds and it also features an automatic calendar that is pre-programmed all the way until 2099.

The watch allows you to set 5 daily alarms including 1 snooze alarm. It also offers about 31 different time zones and a city name display which means you can take it everywhere you go. The Casio Men’s Pro Trek gives you the liberty to switch on or off daylight saving as per your requirement. As for the problem of looking at your watch when it’s dark, it offers an auto LED backlight along with an afterglow.

It also features a countdown timer which you can set as per your requirement. The barometer and thermometer in the watch assist in tracking the weather changes in order to provide an accurate weather forecast. The digital compass offers accurate and precise directions to help you navigate through the hunting grounds. The altimeter helps you keep track of the altitude to determine the route of your trip.

On the downside, the watch does not have multi-band radio calibration. The Casio Men’s Pro Trek is an excellent watch offering features that surpassed our expectations.

5- Casio Pathfinder – Triple Sensor Sport Watch:

The Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Sport Watch is here to fulfill your dreams. Quartz-type watch movement helps ensure an accurate time display while the solar power cells provide you with long and sustainable battery life. The watch has multiple sensors including an altimeter, thermometer, and barometer which keep track of your location and also offer a weather forecast so that you can plan your trip ahead. The digital compass is much easier to read and provides accurate readings.

You can even use the watch in extremely cold conditions due to the low-temperature resistance while the EL backlight allows for easier reading in the dark. Other basic features include 5 alarms, 31 time zones, city code display, stopwatch, countdown timer, and auto calendar. The battery power indicator helps you keep track of the battery levels and the power-saving function helps increase the battery life even further.

When fully charged, the Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Sport Watch provides a battery life of about 6 months without any exposure to sunlight. The watch has a sturdy 51mm stainless steel case in addition to a mineral dial window which gives it durability. It has a resin-type band along with a buckle closure for easy wearing.

The watch is completely waterproof up to 100m allowing for use in rain and wetlands. This makes the watch particularly suitable for snorkeling and swimming.
However, we do believe that the band could be a little more comfortable. In short, the Casio Pathfinder Triple Sensor Sport Watch offers the best service for hunting purposes.

6- Garmin Fenix 3 HR – Best GPS Watch for Hunters:

Want to know about another great watch brand? Let us present to you the Garmin Fenix 3 HR GPS Watch. This product from Garmin is worth all the hype due to its amazing quality and features. With the customer-proven quality and long-standing history, Garmin has managed to keep the title of being among the best manufacturers. The Garmin Fenix 3 HR GPS Watch is an improved version of the Garmin Fenix 3 watch with the inclusion of the optical heart rate feature.

With the incorporation of the Garmin elevate wrist heart rate technology, users can easily keep track of their pulse without having to wear a chest strap. In addition, the soft silicone strap helps ensure maximum comfort for the users while also resisting discoloration in order to help increase durability. Combining all these features with its modern design, the Garmin Fenix 3 HR GPS Watch is perfect for both gentlemen-style lovers and sporty people.

One of the most important features of this hunting watch is its GPS mode which helps hunters locate themselves with great accuracy. This is perfect for those hunters who like to go on hunting trips without pre-decided plans. The color screen and anti-glare qualities make it easier for you to use the watch during both the day and the night.

In addition, it also offers LED backlights and a transflective high-resolution color chroma display to make the experience much easier for you. On the downside, some users have reported problems with the altimeter in the watch. Apart from that, the Garmin Fenix 3 HR GPS Watch is great for all seasons.

7- Luminox 3051 Evo- Navy Seal Colormark Watch:

Next up, we have picked the Luminox Evo Navy Seal hunting watch to be among the watches. This watch comes with a sturdy polyurethane case and band which can resist up to 100m of water and also glows almost 100 times more than other backlit watches. This feature makes this watch most suitable for use in no-light or low-light conditions as well as for professional marine activity.

In order to allow for easier reading of the watch, it features a durable marine dial window, white markers and hands on a black dial in addition to a large face. The Luminox Evo Navy Seal offers both 24h and 12h formats so that you can pick the one which you are most comfortable with. In addition, the unidirectional textured bezel has minute indexes in order to make it easier to read the time. Being powered by the Japanese quartz movement, this watch is super accurate.

However, replacement parts of this watch are a little too expansive. In conclusion, this a super durable, comfortable and reliable timepiece which can be used by both beginners and professionals.

8- SUUNTO Core All Black Military Outdoor Sports Watch:

The next product on our list is the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch. It has all three sensors: barometer, altimeter, and thermometer which offer accurate readings. These sensors are used to offer predictions about the weather and this also sends you storm alerts so that you can take proper precautions. With a temperature rating of -5 F to 140 F, this watch can operate in both extremely cold and extremely hot conditions making it the perfect all-season hunting watch.

One of its unique features is the ability to maintain a record of your descent and ascent. It is quite difficult to keep track of these two things in the wilderness and this watch helps make the task easier. The SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch can also display sunset and sunrise in up to 400 locations.

Using this feature, you can record these times at all the spots you visit and keep a record. The matte black color of the watch is definitely a perk for hunters who prefer classy watches which are not too bright or colorful. The strap doesn’t have any fabric on it which prevents any odor or smell of sweat on the watch. For easy reading, the watch has a large face and large numbers.

Lastly, the 2-year warranty of this hunting watch ensures its durability. On the downside, the straps may be prone to wear and tear over time. In short, the SUUNTO Core All Black Military Men’s Outdoor Sports Watch is a great watch for both hiking and hunting purposes.

9- Casio G-Shock GD-120 Camo Sport Watch:

If you’re interested in camo patterns, this product will definitely spark your interest. The G-Shock GD-120 Camo watch is available in a classy camo pattern which helps keep you hidden in the woods while hunting and does not attract any attention. Made from premium quality silicone, this watch will surely stick with you for many more hunting seasons to come. This watch is either manufactured in the USA or sometimes imported.

It is quite shock-resistant due to its sturdy exterior which makes it perfect for use in the rough hunting environment. The watch has a LED backlight to help make reading easier in dark conditions. In addition, the digital display also makes it easier to read off the watch. Flash alerts help keep you aware of the conditions and weather. For people hunting in wetlands, the G-Shock GD-120 Camo watch offers a good 200m water resistance. Not only does the watch offer accurate time but it also allows you to choose between 30 different time zones as per your location.

A stopwatch and countdown timer are also included in the watch. The case is made of 51mm resin and includes a mineral dial window. Other features include an auto calendar, 5 daily alarms in addition to a 12/24-hour format. The watch comes with a silicone band and a buckle closure. However, the watch does not feature triple sensors. All in all, the G-Shock GD-120 Camo hunting watch is a decent watch for hunting purposes.

10- Timex Expedition – Scout 40mm Watch:

Our next hunting watch is available in over 20 designs so that you can pick as per your heart’s desire. The Timex Expedition Scout 40 is a military model which takes not just style but also comforts into account. The watch is not just aesthetically pleasing but also incredibly functional for hunting purposes. The strap is made out of premium quality nylon and can easily be adjusted for up to 8-inch circumference.

The white pointers on a black dial make the watch much easier to read. The case is made out of 40mm brass and the watch has a mineral glass crystal. Indigo backlight technology in the Timex Expedition Scout 40 makes it easier for you to read time in low light conditions. The best part about this watch is its 10-year battery life which means that the battery will not die on you any time soon.

It is completely water proof for up to 100m making it perfect for swimming, fishing and hunting in the rain. The mineral-glass is scratch resistant which ensures durability of the watch. However, the watch is not built for heavy-duty use. In conclusion, the durability and battery life of the Timex Expedition Scout 40 make it a great option for hunters.

11- Garmin Fenix 5X – Plus GPS Smartwatch:

Last but not the least, we would like to present to you the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus. This is a multisport GPS watch that also has the ability to estimate your heart rate through the wrist. In addition, color topo maps with trend line popularity help the user find and follow the best available paths. The pulse ox acclimation sensor in the watch is a non-medical device that helps record your blood oxygen saturation levels in order to help you be aware of your condition especially when hunting in higher altitudes.

The rugged design of the watch features a scratch-resistant domed sapphire lens in addition to a DLC titanium bezel for a sturdy yet classy appearance. For entertainment purposes, the Garmin Fenix 5X Plus can play up to 500 songs and can also connect to Bluetooth headphones to allow you to listen to songs without your phone. Another unique feature in the watch is the Garmin pay which is a contactless payment solution that allows you to make convenient payments using your watch so that you don’t have to carry around your wallet or credit card.

As for the battery life, this watch delivers 20 days when operating in smartwatch mode and 13 hours when operating in GPS mode along with the music. However, the heart rate tracking is not very accurate. The Garmin Fenix 5X Plus is, surely, a great watch to take along on your next hunting trip.

Buying Guide

Are you need to the world of hunting watches? There’s no need to worry because we have put together a comprehensive guide to help you understand things to consider when buying a hunting watch.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is a hunting watch?

It is a watch that helps you not only keep track of time but also navigate your way while hunting.

Is Garmin instinct a good watch?

It is a super durable yet affordable hunting watch.

Originally posted 2021-03-29 11:08:21.