Tactical Watches with Compass

Tactical Watch with Compass

A tactical watch with a compass helps you find your direction without a phone, which can run out of battery or lose signal. It suits military personnel, hikers, hunters and anglers. The compass in these watches comes in two types, and which one you choose determines how you will use it.

Built-in compass or compass on the strap

In digital models the compass is built into the electronics, and the direction is shown on the display. For example, the M-Tac with a compass is stated to have automatic and manual calibration. Three marks on the dial point north, and an English inscription shows the cardinal direction relative to the "12:00" mark. The Awarder 036, besides the compass, has an alarm, a timer, a stopwatch and a time zone function, and the electroluminescent backlight lets you read the display in the dark.

Another option is a watch with a paracord strap, on which the compass is mounted together with a whistle. This is how the Survival Paracord model is designed: a quartz watch, a compass, a whistle, a fire starter and a paracord bracelet in a single item. Such a survival watch is a sensible backup kit to have on a hike. For regular navigation, a digital compass is more convenient.

What else to check before buying

Water resistance differs between models, so match it to where you will wear the watch: in the rain or while swimming. If the watch is going to be on your wrist all day, pay attention to its weight. For example, the Awarder 005 has a polymer case with a diameter of 51 mm and weighs 61 g. Some models are decorated with the trident or Armed Forces of Ukraine insignia, so it is worth deciding in advance whether such a design will suit your clothing.

If a compass is not essential, take a look at all the tactical watches.