Tactical watches, sometimes referred to as “military” or “survival” watches are special watches with several features to help you in off-grid ad survival adventures. Looking for the perfect tactical watch that meets all your needs can be challenging.
First, you need to figure out the purpose of buying the watch, how frequently you’ll be using it, and how much you are willing to pay for it. Military tactical watches are those that meet or exceed the standards set and used by the military forces.
Tactical watches, in general, come in several forms, sizes, and price ranges. Each with its own special features. Therefore, when choosing a tactical watch, you need to prioritize the features that cater to your essential needs while also being in your budget.
Different people buy tactical watches for different reasons. Some need them for their vocations, while others are passionate about collecting and trying these high-tech products. Tactical watches now offer the option of utilizing solar energy to power up.
Solar-powered watches are ideal for off-grid and remote trips. They have special features that keep you from getting lost and allow you to survive extreme conditions. Solar-powered tactical watches are mostly water and impact resistant.
If you’re looking to buy a solar-powered tactical watch, then you’ve found yourself in the right place. Here, we’ll review a few products and highlight their features to help you decide which one would work the best for you. We’ll also discuss important information regarding these watches. Let’s get started!
Tactical watches tell time just like any other watch. Besides, they also have several attractive survival features. They are designed for extreme conditions and survival situations, unlike regular time-telling watches.
These watches are often used by military personnel, expeditionary teams, and off-grid adventure sports enthusiasts. They definitely qualify as one of the best solar powered wrist watches on the market.
How Are Tactical Watches Different From Regular Watches?
Although both traditional and tactical watches tell time, tactical watches also offer much more than that. In tactical watches, you can have features like shock resistance, compass, triple sensor technology, backlights, GPS, GTLS, atomic timekeeping, and many more.
Tactical watches make any survival kit more proficient. They’ll keep you on track with your survival missions and adventures.
What Essential Features To Look For in Tactical Watches?
Different brands of tactical watches offer several basic and premium features. It all comes down to what your requirement for the watch is. However, there are a few essential features that all tactical watches should have in order to fulfill their purpose. Let’s look at each one of them in further detail below:
1. Time-Telling
The efficiency of any watch primarily depends on how accurately it can tell time. The same is the case with tactical watches. However, tactical watches can do it with unmatchable preciseness. Tactical watches come in both analog and digital forms.
If you’re looking for exact numerical time values, then you’ll need a digital solar-powered tactical watch. But if you’re always on a tight schedule, then analog tactical watches are what you should go for.
However, the latest tactical watches offer both these forms of time. Some tactical watches even come with the Atomic-6 timekeeping feature. This feature allows the watch to adjust time according to your exact location.
The watch uses information received from the six global transmitters to ensure time accuracy.
2. Compass and Directions
An accurate built-in compass is another important feature that a tactical watch needs to have. It’s easy to get lost in off-grid and remote locations, and having a tactical watch with a compass can save you a lot of trouble in those times.
Compass allows you to keep track of your path and make sure that you’re headed the right way. Professions associated with the ocean, like sailors and maritime workers, especially need this feature.
The compass can tell the direction of the current when you’re stranded in the ocean. Moreover, the compass feature is also essential for hikers, expedition teams, and travelers. A good compass can make your life easier in any unfamiliar location.
Most tactical watches offer the compass information in a digital form. They also have magnetic sensors that allow you to track the direction of your movements.
The latest tactical watches come with triple sensor technology. You should consider getting this advanced and important feature because it offers the functions of a thermometer, altitude and atmospheric barometer, and a compass.
Instead of just getting the compass functions, the added two functions can ease your ventures further while offering value for money.
3. Chronometer
If 100% accuracy of time measurement is what you require for your activities, then the chronometer is the feature that you must look for in a solar-powered tactical watch.
Apart from telling the exact time with the help of its anti-magnetic properties, a chronometer feature will also help you with navigation. The only limitation to a chronometer is that it only comes in a digital format.
4. Backlight or GTLS
What is a survival watch without its ability to provide information in the deepest and darkest of places? Well, that’s why it’s essential to have efficient backlights in a tactical watch.
The watches with this feature usually have a tritium luminescent that assess your arm movement to determine when the backlights need to be lit up. This sensor makes it very convenient and saves time for the wearer.
The Gaseous Tritium Light Sources, or GTLS, is the most widely-known and used feature for backlighting.
5. Durability and Resistance
The main selling point of tactical watches is their resistance and durability. That’s why you need to buy a watch that functions properly after scratches, shocks, and even when it’s submerged in water.
Most tactical watches are designed to endure extreme conditions and last longer, however, you must always double-check the offered features before purchasing any model. Another important thing to keep in mind is the design of the watch.
Tactical watches are usually heavier and bulkier than regular watches. You must choose a design that doesn’t hinder your activities in the outdoors.If you have the budget, consider purchasing a watch with a sapphire lens as they are the most durable.
Should You Buy a Solar-Powered Tactical Watch?
Even though there’s no restriction on who can purchase a solar-powered tactical watch, but you should only buy it if it’s actually going to help you. Tactical watches are ideal for people who do a lot of outdoor activities, whether for work or as a hobby.
The professions who could make maximum use of tactical watches include sports professionals, firefighters, police officers, paramedics, hikers, scuba divers, rock climbers, sailors, etc.
Can All Types of Tactical Watches Be Submerged?
Almost all tactical watches are water-resistant to some extent. However, not all of them are suited for submersion. Some watches are only splash-proof, while others can be used for long and deep dives.
In order to figure out what degree of submergence is offered by a watch, you need to read the information given in the manual that comes with the watch. The manual has all the details about how deep and how long can you keep the watch in the water.
This information is especially essential for scuba and deep divers. If you keep the tactical watch underwater for longer than the recommended period, it can crack under pressure. If you are a scuba diver and want a totally water-proof watch you should learn how to use a dive watch.
How To Maintain and Take Care of a Tactical Watch?
For the durability and long-term accuracy, it’s essential to take proper care of your tactical watch. Cleaning it regularly is one of the most important steps. You need to clean it when it’s not being used or submerged.
It’s also recommended to get it repaired from a certified retailer right after it takes a hit or starts malfunctioning.
How To Choose the Best Tactical Watch for Survival and Military Use?
There are several brands that offer tactical watches, each with their unique features and qualities. So, how does one decide which one to buy? It can be an overwhelming task.
However, to reduce the confusion, there are a few things that you need to consider before buying your military tactical watch. They are as follows:
1. Military Specifications
Always look at the value of Military Specifications (Mil-Spec). It’s a value that represents the set of standards that a watch has to meet in order to be considered fit for military use.
Make sure the watch that you’re buying for military use meets or exceeds the set value.
2. Features
Make sure you understand all the features offered by the watch. If you’re unaware of or don’t really require certain features like a compass, etc., you shouldn’t invest your money in it.
But if you need certain features that are only offered in high-end products, they’ll bring value for your money.
3. Weight
The weight of a tactical watch is very crucial when it comes to military use. You need to find a watch that meets all your requirements of features and is also not too heavy.
As these watches are usually worn for long periods, that’s why it’s important that they feel comfortable on your wrist.
4. Durability
If your watch has all the features, but you need to replace it every two months, then what’s the point? Durability is a crucial factor in ensuring you get value for money.
5. Brand
When it comes to tactical watches, the manufacturing company makes a lot of difference. Make sure you choose a product offered by a credible brand.
Tactical watches cost a lot of money, that’s why it’s important to do your research thoroughly before making the decision. If you consider all the factors mentioned above before purchasing a tactical watch for military use, you’ll surely land a good deal.
Best Solar-Powered Tactical Watches Reviews
A Well-Rounded Package
Casio Men’s Mudman G-Shock
Another one from Casio’s extraordinary range of solar-powered tactical watches, the Casio Men’s G9300-1 Mudman G-Shock, is one of its kind. It’s our choice for the premium option because it’s designed for military and police use.
Everything Included
Casio GW-9400-1CR
If you’re a diving or survival kit enthusiast, then Casio GW-9400-1CR is hands down the best option for you. Almost all survival experts endorse this product due to its incredible features and high durability.
Casio G-Shock Rangeman Master
Without a shred of doubt, Casio offers the best tactical watches. The G-Shock Rangeman Master is their special piece of versatility. It’s easily the best overall choice when it comes to durability and high-quality features.
No list can ever be complete without the addition of this marvelous product. The G-Shock Rangeman Master proves why Casio is best in the game. It simply dominates the entire market with its undeniable features and quality.
This watch will be your best companion whether you’re exploring the mountains of Himalaya, the depts of the ocean, or the thick forests of Amazon. This watch will keep you on track be on land or sea, in deserts or in forests.
This incredible item is special because it’s solar-powered with a battery that is built to last at least a decade long. Nothing can break this beast unless you actively try to destroy it (we wouldn’t recommend). It has the feature of atomic timekeeping, which allows you to adjust time regardless of your specific location.
Moreover, this watch is far from complicated when it comes to operating it. Each function has its own beeping tone, which makes it easier to identify them. The beeps allow you to understand which function is being used even if you don’t look down at the watch screen.
The beeps are operated by the cylindrical buttons on each side of the watch. No one can deny the productivity and high functioning of this watch. If you want good value for your money with the best product in the market, the G-Shock Rangeman Master is the one you’re looking for.
Key Features:
- Solar-powered battery
- Long battery life
- Triple sensor technology
- Highly durable
- Scratch resistance
- Shock resistance
- Waterproof characteristics
- Atomic timekeeping
- Highly accurate
- High altitude and depth resistance
Casio Men’s Mudman G-Shock
Another one from Casio’s extraordinary range of solar-powered tactical watches, the Casio Men’s G9300-1 Mudman G-Shock, is one of its kind. It’s our choice for the premium option because it’s designed for military and police use.
It’s possibly the toughest tactical watch you’ll ever use with the ability to survive nearly anything. It will provide an accurate measurement at the highest of mountains and the deepest of seas. The iconic Mudman will prove to be your tough companion.
If you’re willing to pay the price, the high-end features definitely prove their worth. The Mudman G-shock will never disappoint you even in the deepest of seas.
Key Features:
- Long-lasting solar-powered battery
- Triple sensor technology
- Atomic timekeeping
- Shock resistance
- High durability
- Scratch resistance
- Depth and altitude resistance
- Waterproof characteristics
- Designed for military and police use
Casio GW-9400-1CR
If you’re a diving or survival kit enthusiast, then Casio GW-9400-1CR is hands down the best option for you. Almost all survival experts endorse this product due to its incredible features and high durability. It’s built of a stainless-steelcase with a solid plastic casing.
The wonder watch offers multiple screens and display options. Along with being excellent for outdoor use, it gives tough competition to all other products when it comes to deep diving.
The only possible drawback of this quality product is its bulky size and heavyweight. So, it might give you some trouble when you use it for extended periods. However, it’s a great value option with high-quality features.
Key Features:
- High water resistance
- Stainless steel case
- Solar-powered battery
- Triple sensing technology
- High durability
- Chronometer
- Shock resistance
- Five different alarm tones
