Offroad Gadjet – Garmin Fenix

Garmin, the Swiss GPS experts, have pulled the covers off their latest offering, the Fenix, which is a GPS navigator with programmable tracks, an altimetre, a barometre and a three-axis compass. And oh, it tells you the time and date as well.

What’s special about it?

Using years and years of experience in the navigation front, Garmin pulled out their best and put it in the Fenix. At its essential best, Fenix is a GPS navigator that can be easily strapped around your wrist. Featuring all the niceties its navigators have come to be known for, it can guide you off trail and then show you the way back to your vehicle, campsite or home.

You can create multiple routes and navigate them. To guide you on your journey, the Fenix also comes with an electronic compass, an altimetre so you can keep track of your ascent and descent and a barometre to keep track of weather changes. If you’ve read this far, you’d know that sudden changes in air pressure is usually an indication of changing weather.

Fenix is equipped with wireless technologies including Bluetooth so it will talk to a number of compatible devices like smartphones. You can also pair heart rate monitors and speed sensors.

Above all, the Fenix is made of rugged use. It’s tough and is waterproofed up to 50 metres. And, just like any wristwatch, it will give you a world clock, date and is a timer and stopwatch.

When is it available and for how much?

The Garmin Fenix will be rolled out in August 2012 with a suggested price of $399.99