The TrekMaster GPS Watch: Gets Lost More Often Than You Do
This outdoor GPS watch promised military-grade navigation. It once told me a lake was a parking lot and directed me into a swamp it identified as a "scenic shortcut."
The TrekMaster X9 Pro is an outdoor GPS watch that retails for $399 and promises "military-grade navigation accuracy." Having used it on five hikes, I can confidently say the only military this watch is grade for is one that has already surrendered.
On my first outing, a simple 4-mile loop trail in a well-mapped state park, the TrekMaster informed me I had walked 11.3 miles, gained 4,000 feet of elevation (the trail is flat), and was currently located in a different state. It also helpfully suggested I was "approaching my destination" while I was standing in a creek.
The Navigation
The turn-by-turn navigation feature is where the TrekMaster truly shines — if by "shines" you mean "actively tries to get you killed." During a trail run, it directed me to turn left at a point where turning left would have sent me off a cliff. The screen cheerfully displayed "shortcut detected!" above a 200-foot drop. I declined the shortcut.
“On my first outing, a simple 4-mile loop trail in a well-mapped state park, the TrekMaster informed me I had walked 11”
Click to TweetThe watch loses GPS signal with alarming regularity. Under tree cover: gone. Near a building: gone. On a cloudy day: believe it or not, also gone. The only place it maintains a consistent signal is indoors, where you presumably do not need GPS navigation to find your refrigerator.
The Heart Rate Monitor
The built-in heart rate monitor told me my resting heart rate was 180 BPM while I was sitting on the couch eating chips. It then told me it was 45 BPM while I was sprinting uphill. According to this watch, I am simultaneously dying and an elite athlete.
The Verdict
The TrekMaster X9 Pro is a $399 device that is outperformed by a free compass app on your phone. If you want to get lost in the wilderness, you do not need a $399 watch — just walk in any direction without a plan. The result is the same, but cheaper.
What to Buy Instead
Tried-and-tested alternatives that actually deliver on their promises. We may earn a small commission on purchases.
Garmin Instinct 2
Actually knows where you are. Has not tried to walk anyone off a cliff yet.
Apple Watch Ultra 2
GPS that works under trees, near buildings, and on cloudy days. Groundbreaking.
SUUNTO Core
Altimeter, barometer, compass. No AI. No shortcuts detected. Just reliable navigation.
Comments
Sign in or create an account to join the discussion.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!