Garmin Tactix Launches the Delta Smartwatch

High-end smartwatch creator Garmin just announced a tactical smartwatch, the Tactix Delta.

Stealth Mode hides the user’s location form storage or sharing. Essentially, it’s an Airplane Mode, which turns off the watch’s wireless connectivity and communication.

The Kill Switch, on the other hand, can remove all user data with one switch. The integration of a single-button switch suggests a military-grade standard.

While the watch wasn’t the first to offer both features, it was the first to have them with such resistance.

Additionally, these come with more “tactical features” like Jumpmaster mode and dual-position GPS. The former is designed to guide skydivers to reach their objectives while the latter displays coordinate systems on their screens.

The Garmin Tactix Delta can store up to 2,000 songs, use Garmin Pay, and receive notifications from paired smartwatches.

Batteries can last up to 21 days in smartwatch mode and 80 days in power saving mode. It also has the biggest rounded display the company’s used at 1.4 inches.

Users can also access the Expedition mode, an ultra low-powered GPS feature usable for weeks.

There’s also the Climbpro Feature, which offers mountaineers gradient, distance, and elevation gain for terrains.

Turn-by-Turn Navigation informs travelers of the next turn ahead.

Power Manager can let users see and control settings and sensors that impact the Garmin device.

Other features in the smartwatch are respiration tracking, a heart rate sensor, an energy monitor, and PacePro. Their exclusive feature lets users scan progress on their target and actual running pace, followed by their difference in real-time.

Adventurers can buy the watch for $900 USD, which costs as much as two Apple Watch Series 5 and change. The device is available both from the Garmin website or its official Amazon storefront.

Garmin Under Patent Investigation

Dutch electronics giant Koninklijke Philips sued Garmin, along with Fitbit and three other manufacturers, of violating its patents. Philips claimed that its devices infringed its activity tracking, alarm reporting, and motion-sensing patents.

If proven guilty, the companies opposing Philips will have to pay tariffs. Companies found to infringe their patents or intellectual property would have to get banned from importing.

Critics questioned the timing because Fitbit was transitioning into its acquisition from Google.

Garmin’s competitor, Fitbit, said the patent claim was uncalled for. Philips only filed it because it failed to excel in the wearables market.

Philips’ wearable tracker Health Watch failed in 2016 due to Apple, Xiaomi, Samsung, and Huawei overshadowing the product.

About Garmin

Garmin Ltd is an American multinational technology company that distributes devices, most of which have GPS technology. Garmin International Inc., one of its subsidiaries, created the smartwatch above.

The company produces wearable technology to the automotive, aviation, marine, outdoor, and fitness markets.

The automotive segment offers products for the auto market, like the Personal Navigation Devices and Original Equipment Manufacturer Solutions and Cameras.

Aviation provides solutions to aircraft manufacturers, aircraft owners and operators, and the like.

Marine offers electronics like cartography, Sounders, Radar, Autopilot Systems and Sailing.

Outdoor, on the other hand, offers products such as Outdoor Handhelds, Adventure Watches, Golf devices, and Dog tracking and training.

The Fitness segment has features mentioned in the newest smartwatch.