Personal gps navigation devices while deployed?

Question

My fiance is in the army and wants a Suunto x9Mi (a gps wrist navigation device/watch) to use in the field and to take with him on his next deployment. It's supposedly made specifically for professional soldiers, but I'm not sure if that is simply a marketing ploy or if it really has a good purpose. Have any of you ever used this or a similar device and are they even allowed? At almost $500 is this worth that price? I don't really want him to buy it, but I can't help but to think how I'd feel if him having it could mean the difference between him coming home safe or not and I told him not to get it. Any advice is appreciated. I've included a link with a description below.

http://www.teamnsa.com/x9mi

Answer 1

Suuntos are really good watches, and also good for the gadgets they have inside them. They are definetely allowed and lots of guys use them. If I was going to spend that much on a GPS though, I'd get a handheld one with a lot more features on it than the Suunto would have. If you do buy it, make sure you save the reciepts for tax purposes.

Answer 2

Sounds too good to be true. I would be skeptical because of the size. The small size means it doesn't have room for a very large battery. It says you can scan and download maps. He will need access to a computer. Those are my concerns. Also the display? Some gpss have a map display, some don't..Can you return it if not satisfied. I wonder how hard it is to recharge the battery or if there is an external pack A lot of questions. almost all gps have altitude capability why is that one just 1200 ft? Not true about bumbed down gps's Clinton changed that before he left office.

Answer 3

That’s assorted questions! I actually have a TomTom ONE (TT1). i exploit it in Canada and the U.S. in case you will 3 diverse places in one holiday, then with the TT1 you may build an itinerary. The TT1 can pin-element extraordinarily a lot any handle in NA, so which you don’t might desire to “enter” something. each and every of the cities, streets, and living house numbers are pre-loaded in the device. You %. from straightforward to navigate menus and lists, yet once you do might desire to form something there's a sprint demonstrate screen keyboard. You don’t watch the GPS once you're making use of – it is going to call out the turns for you. 2 of the severe high quality good factors of the TT1: It comes with application to load onto your computing device so as which you would be able to pre-load your individual favorites and skim maps making use of your established mouse and keyboard, and it’s the only sort i might desire to discover in its type that could desire to allow you to devise a course from a particular commencing element. all the different ones might only plan a course from the present GPS region. I rather have a Magellan hand-held unit, even though it’s made for trekking, boating, etc. It’s not a vehicle navigation GPS.

Answer 4

If the GPS system you want to buy for him is a commercially available set, don't bother. The commercially available sets have been "dumbed down" so that they're not as precise -- generally only good to within ± 10 meters. Military systems are capable of ± 1 meter.

Answer 5

thats a fair price for a GPS, especially if its that size. (as electronic things get smaller, their price goes up ironically)

Answer 6

Yes get for him he will need all the help he can get and that will do nothing but help him in the long run!

Answer 7

You might find them a little cheaper

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=Suunto+X9Mi

Answer 8

I was just wondering about these "professional soldiers" ... as opposed to non-professional?