10 Best Compass Watches for the Smart Adventurer

In this day and age, there are more ways than one to help us navigate around. GPS would be the easiest way but it, of course, requires more energy than necessary. So while developers are still working hard to make technology more efficient for us, most outdoorsmen still rely on a classic guide that is a compass. Lucky for us, technology also allowed for more multi-purpose accessories to accompany us on our adventures. Our favorite? The ever-reliable compass watch.

A compass watch is every adventurer’s staple. Take it anywhere from hiking, camping, even to the battlefield and it surely won’t fail you. Even without an internet connection or any signal at all, this type of watch will surely keep you right on track. This easily accessible feature on a watch would keep you from getting all lost in the middle of nowhere. A compass watch also usually comes with very useful features, such as altimeter as well as a barometer.

While smartphones still are pretty accessible, it’s not always outdoor-friendly. There are certain issues that come with relying on smartphones on an outdoor activity such as battery and reception issues. A compass watch, meanwhile, is built for long treks. Therefore, it would be far more reliable to have a compass watch in remote areas with little to no receptions and electricity.

Best and Affordable Compass Watches

Choosing the right compass watch may be more complicated than picking just any accessory. There is a lot to consider including design and its features as well as your budget. So, we gathered 10 of the best, most affordable compass watches in the market today.

1. Suunto Core Outdoor Compass Watch

The Suunto Core is one of the best out there. And by that, we meant not only among Suunto watches but also among compass watches out there. It features one of the most functional altimeters and accurate barometers on watches we’ve seen. It is also waterproof so you can take it for snorkelling or other water sports. Despite its rugged look, it’s actually very easy to use and has a menu that you can easily get a hang of. However, it’s quite on the more expensive scale despite it being a non-GPS watch. But this is not without reason.

Most enthusiasts, especially those who casually trek and hike, go for the Core as their entry-level outdoors watch. This is due to the altimeter and barometer functions that more than make up with accuracy. The Core calculates long-term pressure changes for an even more accurate reading. Moreover, the watch works with you as you ascend with changes in the barometric pressure tracked accurately. Suunto Core is also wise enough to differentiate barometer pressure changes from elevation gains. This is where other watches fall behind on. To further make its readings accurate, it displays elevation in three-foot or one-foot intervals.

Furthermore, the Suunto Core can be taken to shallow depths as in snorkelling or a recreational swim. You can take it as deep as 30m or 100ft. However, the watch can only tell you the depth you reached until 30ft. Among its other features include a sunrise/sunset times, thermometer, as well as a multilingual menu.

2. Casio G-Shock Rangeman GW-9400 

Casio, indeed, is one of the best providers of affordable outdoor watches. With their G-Shock series, it’s quite impossible not to find anything that will suit your needs. This smart G-Shock outdoor watch not only has a compass but is also solar-powered with a multitude of functional features.

Aside from its compass, the Rangeman has a Shock-Resistant Triple sensor that makes altitude, barometric pressure, temperature and direction readings come with ease and convenience. With just a tap of a finger, all the information you need will be right on the watch’s screen.

This watch also has sunrise/sunset date as well as one-touch time recording and elapsed time measurement. It also has a rugged design specifically crafted for the outdoors. It has mud-resistant case and buttons that are perfectly sealed to prevent mud, dirt, and dust from damaging the watch. Rangeman, however, doesn’t lack in style. The watch has red accents not only for a sporty look but also for better legibility when in the dark. To further impress you with the watch’s features, each sensor mode on the watch has its own audible tone. This means you can tell which mode you’re on without taking a look at the watch!

3. Timex Expedition T49612 Compass Watch

Timex never fails when it comes to affordable watches, but not all their watches are this functional. The Timex Expedition, to this day, is one of the crowd favorites for outdoor compass watches. You can take this truly rugged watch just about anywhere. It can withstand the challenges nature gives you while providing the function and comfort you paid for. This watch comes in a lightweight resin case, so durability questions are already out of the door. The nylon strap is a secure addition without sacrificing a single bit of comfort.

Furthermore, this watch has shock-resistant features based on ISO standards. You can take it about 200m underwater or a total of 660 feet. So if you’re required to dive in the water for your adventures, there’s no need to worry about damaging the watch. Go ahead and take a dive! Timex also packed the watch with Indiglo to make it easily readable even in the dark.

4. Luminox RECON Nav SPC A.8832.MI Compass Watch

The Luminox RECON Nav SPC A.8832.MI may be a mouthful but its features are just as functional. It’s probably one of the best on the list, not only as a compass watch but also a tactical watch. It has an iconic ruggedness perfect for the outdoors. This watch is for people who engage in intense outdoor activities, like military operations, rescue missions, and more. Most military agencies in the world name the RECON Nav as their favourite watch while on a mission. This traces back to its feature and design as a watch with a carbon-reinforced polycarbonate case. To further the watch’s protection, it has a sapphire crystal that’s highly scratch resistant with anti-reflective coating.

The watch’s water resistance goes as deep as 200 meters or 660 feet with a double-security gasket crown. It also has a solid-case rear. The bezel allows for a second timezone that you can set anytime. With a quartz movement powering the watch, it has an accurate analog display with luminous indexes and hands. Its compass may also be removed from the watch itself so you get to decide whether or not you need it! You also get to enjoy a walking speed scale that works like a tachymeter. There’s even an option to choose whether to display the scale in km/h or mph.

5. Casio Pathfinder PAG240T Triple Sensor Compass Watch

Casio continues to innovate and another one of their rugged lineups is the PROTREK. This lineup boasts a triple sensor technology with improved accuracy. It comes 95% slimmer than older versions and uses 90% less power. These high-sensitivity sensors measure the constantly changing natural phenomena with great accuracy. It also allows the watch to display directions, altitude changes, as well as atmospheric pressure tendencies. This is exactly what you can expect from the PAG240T.

With its solar-powered technology, the watch ensures stable operation even when using power-hungry functions such as the altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and compass. It truly is a great company outdoors! This watch has a titanium band so you’re sure that this watch will always be reliable and durable even in tough conditions.

The watch’s digital compass is also easy to navigate. Once you get the hang of it, operating the watch will surely come with ease. For low visibility situations due to fogs or trees, the watch’s Bearing Memory feature comes in handy. It memorizes directions detected by the direction measurement function and continuously shows them. That way, you may follow the path shown on the display with the memorized and determined course.

6. Armitron Sport 40/8254BLK Digital Chronograph

Perfect for anyone working on a tight budget, Armitron has a complete line of sports watches that will fit your outdoor needs. As a watch with fairly good features, it comes with a very affordable price tag.

The overall rugged look of the Armitron Sport 40/8254BLK watch relies on its black resin case and strap with a round dial and digital display. It has a chronograph function for a lap time function. The watch also has a dual time display so globe trotters won’t have a hard time navigating through days and nights. It has a pretty decent crystal that makes the dial slightly scratch resistant. The watch may also be taken on snorkelling and swimming sessions with a water resistance of 330 feet or 100 meters.

7. Timex T2N721 Intelligent Quartz Tide Temp Watch

Another Timex entry on our list, the T2N721 truly is the definition of intelligent when it comes to outdoor watches. It features not only a compass but also a thermometer and tide tracker. The watch also has a fairly accurate thermometer and Indiglo light for low-lit environments.

With a leather band, the watch can be taken not only on outdoor adventures but also on daily hustles. It also has a durable stainless steel case that adds a luxurious feel to the watch. Water-resistant for up to 100m, the watch is perfect for snorkelling or swimming. So you won’t need to worry about brief encounters with water.

8. Luminox ICE-SAR Arctic – 1202

Luminox is known for their collaborations with established institutions for high-quality timepieces. One of their iconic collaborations would have to be with ICE-SAR. ICE-SAR is Iceland’s official search and rescue team. This group consists of volunteers who rescue people from life-threatening situations on the most dangerous paths and terrains in Iceland. To improve the ICE-SAR Arctic 1000 Series, Luminox came up with a new ICE-SAR Arctic 1200 Series a year since the launch of the former.

One of the most vital changes has to be the screw-down crown and caseback. This greatly improves the robustness of the watch. Perfect for long, tedious expeditions, this watch shows a lot of potential for a compass watch. Not to mention, it has a pretty deluxe design that you can take from the weekend to a daily companion.

9. Casio G-Shock Mudman G-9300GB-1

There’s a lot to unpack with this watch. First of all, it’s a Casio watch so questions on its quality are already out of the door. Second of all, it’s a G-Shock watch so it’s highly shock-resistant. This makes it a perfect fit for outdoor adventure that might put you and your watch on tough situations. The Mudman G-9300GB-1 is a solar-powered mud-resistant watch thus its name. It’s also packed with a bunch of unmissable features.

It has a digital compass that measures from 0° to 359°. This compass watch also has 20 seconds of continuous measurement and a graphic direction pointer. There’s no fear of getting lost with its magnetic declination correction and its bearing memory. It will keep you on track if you choose to circle around the path you went through.

Among its other features include a thermometer, moon data, as well as a world time. It has five independent daily alarms and hourly time signals. The watch also features a 1/100-second stopwatch displaying elapsed time, split time, and 1st-2nd place times.

10. Pyle Digital Multifunction Sports Watch PSWWM82PN

One of the most affordable watches on the list, this Pyle Multifunction Sports watch has everything you need. This watch has an altimeter that displays the altitude value and tendency and an hourly data diagram view. It also shows a flashing cursor indicator.

The watch’s barometer shows pressure and sea level tendencies that may come your way. You may also recall any and all data restored on the watch to track the changes. The digital chronograph measures time elapsed and lap times that may also be stored on the watch’s memory for instant recall.  This watch surely has everything you need for an affordable price!

 

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