Wearables aren’t going anywhere unless (until?) we progress to the Black Mirror era of injectable tech. Until that pale horse is upon us, we’ve got watches, and Garmin is right in their element with the Tactix Charlie. The third generation of this rugged GPS wearable, Charlie incorporates the mapping and navigation features Garmin is known for with the functionality you expect from wearable tech.
Paired with your smartphone, the Tactix Charlie will send you text, call, calendar, and email notifications, and is customizable with an array of apps. It comes complete with fitness features such as a heart monitoring system, but where Garmin makes their mark is in the preloaded digital topographic maps and additional 16GB for downloadable map data and marine charts. Add in a gyroscope, barometric altimeter, 3-axis compass, and a battery that can last from 20 hours to 12 days depending on the mode you’re using, and this is tech that begs you, without irony, to get off the grid.
The scratch-resistant carbon-coated bezel, fiber-reinforced polymer and titanium rear cover, and silicone strap, all make this a worthy bit of tech for any environment. Swapping out the band to create a new style is easy thanks to Quick Fix Watch Bands compatibility, making it worthy of tamer environments, like the office, too. – $750
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