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Garmin’s wearables have been a staple of the U.S. military since the early 1990s, when the company furnished the U.S. Army with GPS devices during the Gulf War. Since then, the Garmin watch has become not just a staple of military service, from helping naval aviators find their way home in ice-filled cockpits to letting Space Force Guardians monitor their fitness, but also a status symbol in the ranks. The Casio G-Shock may be the unofficial watch of the Global War on Terror, but Garmin holds a special place in many U.S. service members’ hearts in terms of tactical smartwatches.
If you’re a U.S. service member in the market for a new smartwatch (or simply a lost lieutenant desperately in need of an additional navigational aid), then you’re in luck. Garmin is offering a major discount on certain wearables as part of its 2023 Holiday Sale.
Garmin Holiday Sale
Through November 22, you can save up to $200 on select smartwatches as part of the company’s holiday sale. You can browse Garmin’s full selection of discounted smartwatches here, but we’ve pulled out a few options for potential buyers below.
Garmin Fenix 7 series
Garmin’s Fenix 7 family is one of the best series of multi-sport smartwatches available on the market. Building on the success of the Fenix 6 series, the Fenix 7 features robust construction with durable materials, water resistance, and long battery life to support extended outdoor activities while adding features like improved heart rate accuracy, solar charging, a flashlight, and a buttload of new performance metrics. With access to multi-band GPS and built-in mapping and a boatload of activity and health and wellness features, it’s the perfect accessory for someone who spends plenty of time in the field. Check out the various versions of the Garmin Fenix 7 series here.
Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) series
Also built with multi-sport athletes and aggressive outdoor enthusiasts in mind, the Epix Pro (Gen 2)’s rugged titanium construction is designed for someone who lives a rough-and-tumble lifestyle, with the watch tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock and water resistance. The primary difference between the Epix Pro (Gen 2) and the similar Fenix 7 is a matter of screen: namely, the Epix 2 Pro features an AMOLED display which is brighter and easier to read, while the Fenix 7 Pro comes with a memory-in-pixel (MIP) display that supports solar charging. Beyond that, the Epix comes jammed-packed with dare I say an epic number of features. Check out the various versions of the Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) series here.
Garmin Instinct 2
Built with a compact polymer housing and featuring a simple, easy-to-read black and white screen, the purpose-built Garmin Instinct 2 was designed to be used and abused. Equipped with shared technology from other Garmin models, it offers multiband GNSS navigation, Military Grid Reference System (MGRS) location data, and several sport-specific interfaces. Go with the solar version for extra battery-charging capabilities, or the tactical edition if you want military-specific features like night-vision compatibility, stealth mode, and even a data-erasing kill switch. Despite lacking stainless steel and high-end materials, the Instinct 2 is highly capable and cost-effective compared to other Garmin watches on the market. Check out various versions of the Garmin Instinct 2 here.
Garmin Forerunner 55
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a versatile and user-friendly GPS-enabled running watch designed to cater to both beginners and seasoned runners. With a lightweight design and robust features, the Forerunner 55 offers comprehensive fitness tracking and training insights, including accurate heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking for pace and distance, and abd adaptive training plans based on your performance metric. The watch is also equipped with advanced health monitoring features, including sleep tracking and stress tracking. With a focus on simplicity and efficiency, the Forerunner 55 is an ideal companion for individuals looking to elevate their running experience and achieve their fitness goals. Check out the Garmin Forerunner 55 here.
