Garmin watch

[Maxcheese]

Hi guys!

Anybody brought a garmin GPS watch on the Camino?

If so, how did you manage to record your days? Regular recording or Ultra Trac? Enough charge for a day? Any trouble recharging? Is it worth it in the end?

A little technical maybe, but your input is always welcome !

Thank's,

Max

 

[Kanga]

Not me, although I’ve used a Fitbit. It fell off and was lost on the Via de la Plata. Now I have a cheap Garmin copy watch that records step, km, heartbeat and a gps breadcrumb trail. Probably the most useful function is the alarm which vibrates to wake me in the morning, without disturbing other sleepers.

 

[trecile]

Probably the most useful function is the alarm which vibrates to wake me in the morning, without disturbing other sleepers.

This is the only type of alarm that should be allowed in albergues!!!

Why the he!! do people think that it's acceptable to set an audible alarm (for 5am) in a shared space???!!

 

[lt56ny]

This is the only type of alarm that should be allowed in albergues!!!

Why the he!! do people think that it's acceptable to set an audible alarm (for 5am) in a shared space???!!

Right about that my friend! You don't have to pass a common sense quiz to walk. I hope this doesn't offend those who think we should all just shut up and take any crap and rudeness anyone exhibits because THE CAMINO HAS NO JUDGEMENTS!!! I always think this is the biggest judgement of them all.

 

[alipilgrim]

Yes, I used a Garmin ForeRunner 35 this May on the Portuguese Coastal route and loved it. There wasn't the quantity of mileage markers on this route as found on caminos such as the Frances so I was pleased to know where I was and how far I had to go as I was very conscious of recently healed muscles issues.

I started the GPS when I set out in the morning and stopped it when I finished; usually pausing it for any break. The battery life is 13 hours while tracking, 5 days on normal so I charged it either daily or every other day depending on my mileage. It takes a special cord but that plugs into any usb charger so that's easy. I downloaded each day to the Garmin Connect app on my iPhone over wifi and took screen shots of the day's route and sometimes elevation profile for my blog.

Here's an example of the screenshots:

 

[J F Gregory]

I wouldn't know how to use a Garmin or any other device. I don't wear a watch while walking the Camino.
I just use the guide book.

 

[alipilgrim]

A My Garmin is a watch. You push a button to start tracking, push same button to stop. When you're done, you open the app and push the icon to download the data. Easy peasy.

 

[Walton]

Yes, I used a Garmin ForeRunner 35 this May on the Portuguese Coastal route and loved it. There wasn't the quantity of mileage markers on this route as found on caminos such as the Frances so I was pleased to know where I was and how far I had to go as I was very conscious of recently healed muscles issues.

I started the GPS when I set out in the morning and stopped it when I finished; usually pausing it for any break. The battery life is 13 hours while tracking, 5 days on normal so I charged it either daily or every other day depending on my mileage. It takes a special cord but that plugs into any usb charger so that's easy. I downloaded each day to the Garmin Connect app on my iPhone over wifi and took screen shots of the day's route and sometimes elevation profile for my blog.

Here's an example of the screenshots: View attachment 61990View attachment 61991

Bit worried about those elevations. Did you take a ladder?

Seriously, I’m wondering if you can upload a history of where you actually walked after you’ve finished a day of walking with your watch.

We hope to do the Via del Plata next April and we are researching GPS type watches at the moment.

Thanks

Graham

 

[CdnDreamer]

I have a vivoactive 3 and I used it last year on the Salvador and Frances and this year on the Portuguese. I took a battery pack and charged my watch at lunch hour or while on a long break. Only one day we didnt stop for lunch and my watch died at 3:30 pm so I missed recording the last 2 km. I find it really easy to use but I had to be organized to charge it during the day and again at night. It also uses Garmin Connect app so my maps etc look like the examples from @alipilgrim. I love the information it provides - my heart rate, walking speed, elevation etc.