Handheld GPS vs watch GPS

[PiniPowPow]

I'm in the market for a GPS unit. Originally I was pretty keen on the new Suunto Ambit. However, I am now torn between the watch and a Garmin GPSMAP 62S. I will mainly be using for ski touring; route logging, watching elevations and would like to have some key locations pre-programmed in case of quick weather changes.

I generally like to use maps for navigation but like the idea of being able to take a location off the GPS and cross reference on the map.

With the watch, I like the accessibility, particularly elevation/temp/heartbeat etc info. Maybe its a case of getting a non-gps suunto and a GPS.

Any thoughts/experience/something else/both?

[wander]

Your use is pretty much the same as mine and the Garmin Fenix has filled the role nicely. Being on the wrist I have found it is very handy to access the data quickly including the coords to read straight to the map. The downfall with this unit is the battery which is about a day and drain increases as you add more sensors such as remote temp and heart beat. But I run a charge every night plan (mains when at home and a Socket XXXMamp LiOn battery in the field) when using the unit beyond just a watch and have not had any battery out in the field issues.

The Ambit probably does as well but I'm not up to speed with it's operation. If it has a much better battery life and gives your features noted above then well worth considering.

[baltic]

I brought the ambit a few weeks ago, and so far I am very happy with it, the Movelink that you view and plan your data on the PC is very good, and is easy to plan routes with, I have not tested the watch in the field that much, but for exercise, (jogging, trail running) it is fantastic, it pairs well with the HR monitor(if you decide to purchase as an extra), and your activities are saved and easy to view and compare with previous workouts/tracks, I will let you know about battery life when I field test the unit "proper"
The GPS location function works really fast and very easy to use,
There are a lot of APPS that can be downloaded and set up to be used, like a lap swimming counting app,
when installed, on your first lap, press a button, and the ambit will start to count your laps,

I also have a Garmin 62sc, and as other OP's have pointed out, the Garmin interface is "soul destroying " and difficult to navigate around, and not simple to use. One thing that drive me crazy is as soon as you turn it on, it is tracking, so if you need to start a new track at a fresh position, you need to "clear current track" why you cannot just press "start new track" and a simple "finish new track" and save function, is beyond me, (other users, if I am missing something please feel free to correct me)

Basecamp works well and helps make a bit of sense using the 62sc it and is easy to plan tracks and routes,
cheers,
Gary

[north-north-west]

One thing that drive me crazy is as soon as you turn it on, it is tracking, so if you need to start a new track at a fresh position, you need to "clear current track" why you cannot just press "start new track" and a simple "finish new track" and save function, is beyond me, (other users, if I am missing something please feel free to correct me)

As far as I know, this is a common situation with GPS units. You have to save at the end of a walk and clear the track at the start of the next one. It only takes 5 seconds once you get in the habit of it.
There's no point clearing the track at the end of the walk after its been properly saved & before turning the unit off, because then you'll get a *&%$#! long straight line connecting the end position with the next starting position (this is easy to remove once you know how to edit your tracks on BaseCamp/VantagePoint or whichever PC software you use). The only way around that is to turn off the track saving feature, which kind of defeats the purpose if you use the things primarily for tracking your routes . . .
In other words, there's no point whinging, because it's something we're all stuck with. Learn to live with the massive waste of 5 seconds time before every new walk.

[tastrax]

I also have a Garmin 62sc, and as other OP's have pointed out, the Garmin interface is "soul destroying " and difficult to navigate around, and not simple to use. One thing that drive me crazy is as soon as you turn it on, it is tracking, so if you need to start a new track at a fresh position, you need to "clear current track" why you cannot just press "start new track" and a simple "finish new track" and save function, is beyond me, (other users, if I am missing something please feel free to correct me)

Its much harder on the 62. I prefer just to use the archived tracks and do edits from them in other programs. Also be aware that when you save a track that Garmin "cleans it up" for you and may remove nodes along your path. The archived tracks are the "raw" track logs with all their points. Much more detailed and better for my purposes.

The 60CSX (possibly the best GPS Garmin ever made) at least had a screen to turn the tracking on and off but you still got the connecting line in any saved or logged tracks.

[Ent]

Hi

I have the Fenix and Garmin 62s. I would not trust the Fenix as my only GPS for two reasons, reliability and ability to lock into satellites in valleys.

The Garmjn 62s interface is terrible and glad to read more and more people are prepared to say this. The Rino 650 interface is not bad due to it being touch screen.

Basically the best is defined by what you want it for. The Fenix and Ambit are great toys but a simple Extrex 10 will work when those two have failed. If your thing is following maps then generally the bigger the display the better.

My favourite GPS is the Rino 650 and I await the day Garmin released the touch screen version of the 62s.

The ideal is using both a watch based GPS and a solid dedicated GPS. Also an iPhone in a Lifeproof case can be very handy but mega hungry on batteries plus flunks out in the cold.

Cheers

[PiniPowPow]

Thanks everyone for the input. I ended up going with the 62s with Ggarmin topo added for a good price from Ryda. Ent, your Fenix thread kind of scared me off that option. I was close to going with the Ambit but with the addition of a HR monitor the 62 should fulfil the same function albeit in a larger package.

You guys are right though, the OS is indeed soul destroying particularly anything to do with tracks. Cheers.