Garmin quatix 5 smartwatch with autopilot and waypoint control

With autopilot control and the ability to mark MFD waypoints, the new quatix 5 marine GPS smartwatch from Garmin just got smarter.

Due out mid-year, the quatix 5 is Garmin's next-generation marine GPS smartwatch with comprehensive boat connectivity. The device pairs with onboard Garmin electronics to stream NMEA 2000 boat data to your wrist no matter where you are on the boat.

From fishermen chasing billfish or bass to canoeists, kayakers
and big sail and power boaters, the dedicated marine smartwatch offers
accessible navigation functions and data on the run and hunt.

Compatible with Garmin chartplotters (and other marine electronics), the new quatix 5 now includes autopilot control, remote multifunction display (MFD) waypoint marking, data streaming — including speed, depth, temperature and wind — sail racing assistance, fishing features, and more.

Of course, remotes for autopilots are commonplace, but this is the first smartwatch we know that can change your boat's heading and perform a long list of other boating features and functions from your wrist as you roam the decks.

STEER YOUR BOAT, SAVE WAYPOINTS
When the quatix 5 is paired with a GHC 20 autopilot control unit, it can be used to control the autopilot to change heading, engage heading hold, steer to an active GPS route, and initiate patterns so that users can maintain control of the vessel even if they’re not at the helm.

Garmin says the new quatix 5 also makes it easier to mark and save a waypoint from anywhere on the boat — with the touch of a button, the quatix 5 can remotely mark a waypoint on a connected chartplotter(s). This would certainly be handy when fishing down the back of the boat.

Competition timer and fish catch logs are also available to help users keep track of their catch and the time remaining before getting back to weigh-in. For sail racing, the quatix 5 features tack assist, race countdown timer, distance to start line, and time to burn.

The quatix 5 also relays up-to-date tide data downloaded for the area you’re in through a smartphone and will have access to that data for seven days.

The smartwatch is equipped with an anchor alarm to warn users of drift and an anchor rode calculator that tells the user the proper length of anchor line to put out.

You can also use the quatix 5 to control your onboard entertainment system thanks to the built-in Fusion-Link Lite app that controls connected StereoActive products as well as other ANT-enabled stereo models.

PURPOSE-BUILT MARINE SMARTWATCH
Built to withstand the harsh marine environment, the quatix 5 measures at 47mm and features a rugged design with a stainless steel bezel, buttons and rear case that’s more compact than previous (they were bulky) models.

Thanks to the new QuickFit bands available in metal, leather or silicone, users can interchange their watchband in seconds without tools, Garmin says.

Water rated to 100 meters, the quatix 5 is built to withstand the elements and features a sunlight-readable colour display with an LED backlight screen. Garmin says data is easily visible in any light.

LONGER BATTERY LIFE
The quatix 5 boasts up to 24 hours of battery life in GPS mode, 60 hours in UltraTrac mode and two weeks in smartwatch mode (depending on settings).

In addition to the marine and multisport features, the quatix 5 can be worn for daily activity tracking so users can wear their quatix as a daily timepiece. When paired with a compatible smartphone, you can get call, text and email smart notifications on your wrist.

In addition to preloaded marine-specific feature sets, the quatix 5 includes a host of built-in activity profiles for land and water sports like running, hiking, biking, swimming, rowing, and paddle boarding.

The quatix 5 is expected to be available in June in two versions: the quatix 5 with a blue silicone QuickFit band has a suggested retail price of AUD$799; and the quatix 5 Sapphire with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens and a stainless steel band, as well as a blue silicone QuickFit band, will retail for $949. The Saphire is Wi-Fi enabled so users can connect their watch to their home network for automatic uploads to Garmin Connect when within range.

More at Garmin.