Buying Guide To The Best Tactical Watches With Compass
Global positioning systems (GPS) may have made it easier to find your way on the tracks. But you need technology for it to work. Carrying a compass will help you navigate the roads you’ve taken, and it’ll be handy if it comes from tactical watches with compass. Not only you can locate your direction, but, it can tell time, be water-resistant, and measure your footfalls, speed over time, and more.
The best tactical watch is something that offers you the rapid orientation of the location and the easiness of wearing it. It is kind of confusing for you to choose what’s excellent in the market today; however, we’ve made it quick and breezy for you by listing the five best watches to choose from.
Product | Casio G-Shock Analog-Digital Display Solar Powered Watch for MenGWG1000-1A3 | Casio Protrek Sporty Solar-Power Watch PRW-3000-1ACR Model | Timex Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch | Casio G-Shock Black Solar Powered Rangeman Master of G series |
Price | ||||
Dimensions | 4 x 5 x 4 inches | 5.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches | 4.7 x 3.5 x 2.9 inches | 4 x 2 x 2 inches |
Some features | Vibration-resistant, mud resistant, digital compass | Solar-powered watch, Barometric Pressure Alarm, Multi-Band Six Atomic Timekeeping | Indiglo light, shock and water resistant, digital compass | Solar-powered watch, sunrise and sunset data with daylight hours until 2099, triple sensor |
Weight | Approx. 10 ounce | Approx. 6 ounces | Approx. 6 ounces | Approx. 3.36 ounces |
Ratings | ||||
Read Review |
Casio G-Shock Analog-Digital Display Solar Powered Watch for MenGWG1000-1A3

Keep the roads you’ve traveled on tab with Luminox Recon. The compass on the band itself can be easily removed and mount again for better navigation dues. The watch’s dial has a tachymeter to measure speed in both kilometers and miles readings. The timepiece has an added GMT to set a new time zone in case you find yourself in another country. In additional to the removable compass, the strap has map scales, length measurement, and charts.
All in all, the glowing markers for night vision features have the tubes live up to 25 years. The watch is water resistant up to 200 meters. It has an anti-reflective coating which prevents glare if you want to look at the watch. Moreover, Luminox Recon can withstand a good beating and quite an anti-shock watch that is resilient to knockings.
The bezel keeps dive time in check and can be twisted and adjusted for a more clear and accurate reading underwater. The watch is simply lightweight and won’t bother the user or slow him or her down. The strap is made with resin and rubber, yet it’s quite comfortable and sturdy.
Luminox Recon may be a tactical watch for military men, but for the non-military demographics, the watch is simply stylish and handy to have.
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Casio Protrek Sporty Solar-Power Watch PRW-3000-1ACR Model

The Protrek was designed for you to have minimal adjustments with maximum results. Consumer usage reduces power consumption by having this watch solar-powered.
The timepiece is also smaller than its predecessors, but offers the accurate results from its triple sensor features.It reads the sensors quicker with the altimeter at one minute, while the compass display got longer. A rather cool feature the watch does is the alarm that alerts the user of any changes in the barometric pressure.
Additionally, the watch is water-resistant for 100 meters and durable to handle inclement weather conditions. The LED backlight proves to be bright and readable in extreme circumstances. The watch also provides worldwide time chronograph, with sunrise and sunset daylight hours to keep track. It offers five daily alarms, a stopwatch function, and a countdown timer.The digital piece can be modified for a 12/24 hour format and displayed calendar bearing up to 2099. Protrek boasts of a battery life worth seven months without being exposed to solar power. Overall, it’s a rugged watch with sleek looks that was designed for a long-lasting use.
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Timex Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch

For a strong statement of outdoor use, Timex Expedition incorporates a digital compass and time display that is accurate and correct. Navigation has been made easier with the compass integrating a display heading in easy-to-read degrees, 16 cardinal points, and compass needle.
This resin timepiece is highly comfortable to wear, lightweight, and durable.It has been crafted with resistance from elements like water of up to 200 meters, and a shock absorber which passed in the eyes of the international standards. Its stationary bezel aids in having a clearer view of the display when facing extreme circumstances of the elements.
Moreover, the Timex has an innovative Indiglo light with extra night mode features for better and richer viewing of the watch in the dark. Additionally, it has typical features of a tactical watch that includes date functions, chronograph features of up to 100 hours, and a 99-counter with split times.Timex Expedition has an acrylic window watch with anti-glare properties. This feature also allows extra protection from glass shattering.
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Casio G-Shock Black Solar Powered Rangeman Master of G series

Casio’s Rangeman offers users an accurate triple sensor features that’s complete with barometer that can predict the weather atmosphere; the altimeter that notifies you of the altitude in case you’ve gone hiking; and a digital compass that helps you navigate with degree readings. It also provides the user an approximate analysis of the temperature of the environs.
The watch is designed to minimize light and glare by providing a negative display with a bright text on a black background. It has a well-built chronograph packed with five daily alarms to keep you going through the day’s work. And since it offers sunset and sunrise data, it’s loaded with daylight hour features that coordinates up to 2099.
The dial window is made of inorganic glass and the band with carbon fiber so to have a highly-durable watch on your midst. It can take a beating from your surroundings and is water-resistant up to 200 meters. For what it’s worth, the watch is also anti-shock and anti-mud, to protect itself from external elements that can cause damage. The timepiece is also solar-powered and can last for months without light.
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Features in the best tactical watch
Compass and other sensors
There are two main kinds of compasses and those are: digital and analog. An analog compass makes use of the traditional compass that is dependent on the earth’s magnetic field. Meanwhile, a digital compass automatically digests your navigation and translates them to you in directions and degrees. Additionally, the altimeter and barometer aids in measuring the altitude and weather atmosphere.
Durable material for max endurance
The materials of a military watch are simply astounding, because it’s highly durable. The strap can be resin, the case is made of steel, and the dial window can be made out of anti-reflective sapphire, fiber, or mineral. This would ensure that the timepiece can withstand knocks and beatings without a scratch.
Water and mud resistant
A good tactical watch is water resistant of up to 200 meters. It means, it can handle swimming or snorkeling on the waters, but not really made for scuba diving. However, they are also anti-shock and vibration resistant, resilient to movements that can make it vulnerable to damages. A watch is also resistant to other elementals like dirt or mud, so that the grime wouldn’t stick and hinder its performances.
Bezel
The bezel can be stationary or unidirectional; nevertheless, it is there to provide you good reading underwater or in hazy situations. They are often made with resin or stainless steel and are attached or removable from the watch.
Display type and batteries
The watch can be analog, digital, or both. It can be powered through the use of rechargeable batteries or solar energy – most offered both options. Some timepieces can run as long as seven months without exposing to light or having it recharged at all.
Other functions
A tactical watch offers a lot of functions like a stopwatch, countdown timer, LED backlight or negative display, multi-band atomic timekeeping from other cities, alarms and notifications, daylight hours, power-saving modes, and more.
When purchasing for a compass watch, take note of these features and compare it to your lifestyle whether they suit you best. You need a timepiece that can assist you in your ventures to the outside world.
Buying guide for the best tactical watches with compass
These are simple tips when purchasing your next watch. You have to assess its quality that is quite conducive for your regime. The following factors are stated below.
Accurate readings of triple sensors
The number one reason why you’re buying a compass watch is because of the compass itself. It should have accurate readings and quick to pick up your location. Whether it’s analog or digital, it needs to be precise for a hassle-free navigation. The altimeter and barometer should also support better course plotting of your whereabouts.
Durability and shock resistant
A military watch is sturdier than a normal timepiece. It is made of materials that can withstand beating. If you’re working in construction or in the military force, you need your watch to be rugged and durable. Also, it has to be a shock and vibration absorber so that the pulsation won’t harm the mechanism of the timepiece.
Resistance to elements
When dirt and grime goes into your watch, it would be hard to read your display. Also, the mud would hamper on its precise readings giving you only a hazy vision of your analysis. The watch should also be water-resistant for at least 200 meters. It can withstand swimming and snorkeling, but not diving purposes.
Extra features and user-friendly options
Neat features surely win our hearts. Extra functions means additional help in our field duty or camping needs. However, this would mean more learning curves. Despite having the best features of a compass watch, one should be acquainted on the mechanisms of the timepiece and how are they being modified, conducted, or worked out.
Battery life
All people would want to have a battery that lasts for months. A solar-powered watch would last longer without recharging the battery life. Also, most timepieces have power-saving options that can lengthen the life of a watch.
Design
This comes last to our resources, but funny though, this often is the main reason why people buy watches. The design should be something the user wear with pride. Most watches came in the colors of black, green, or brown, because those are the standard colors for military wear. It has to blend in the background.
Other factors you need to watch out for are the size, LED lights, display, daylight hours, and other unique functions that can come in handy in the outdoors, both day and night. Once out there, you must be equipped with the proper gear to survive in the wilderness.
Some information about compass watches
If you’re someone who’s new to buying compass watches, here are little details you should be aware of.
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You should have your compass watch regularly calibrated to have accurate readings of your navigation plans.
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Compasses work well in an open area. They won’t work in locations where metals or electromagnetic radiations happen to be plenty because it affects the mechanisms of a compass.
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It requires you to have higher navigational knowledge to decipher the results.
Again, these are some info about your watch. If you need to customize the strap, compass, or alter the functions, you need to see a mechanic to do the job
Conclusion

Without further ado, and after the reviews done, we clearly say that the greatest among the best tactical watches with compass is the Timex Expedition Shock Digital Compass Watch. It provides quick and accurate results with navigation and its functions. Analysis of your whereabouts has been modified for ease and convenience. The timepiece incorporated a digital reading with easy-to-read degrees, needle, and cardinal points.
People who camp or work in the military might find the shock-resistant, vibration-resistant, and mud-resistant features to be highly useful. These functions have passed the global ISO standards for a military-grade watch. Also, the bezel and light properties makes viewing the display a lot easier in the dark or in murky circumstances.
The band might be something to work out with since it’s fairly new. However, after a couple of uses, it will loosen up and expand on your wrists. Meanwhile, the display might be too big for smaller-wristed people, but it’s not that heavy.
Overall, it’s a great watch that has loads of features like a 100-hour chronograph, and countdown split timer. Unlike other timepieces, it doesn’t have complicated features that need more learning curves to deal with. Timex Expedition is highly durable and can withstand a couple of beatings from the elements.