Garmin has introduced the D2 Mach 1 GPS aviator smartwatch that offers advanced tools for flying, plus health and fitness features.
The D2 Mach 1 includes preflight, in-flight and post-flight features and tools to assist pilots in navigation and enhance situational awareness, along with multi-band frequency and multi-GNSS support for better and more accurate GPS positioning, Garmin officials said.
Direct-to navigation lets pilots navigate straight to an airport or waypoint in the preloaded worldwide aeronautical database directly from the watch, or choose the Nearest function to activate a direct course to a nearby airport.
The instrument-like horizontal situation indicator (HSI) course needle makes it easy for pilots to see if the aircraft is left or right of the desired flight path, and the barometric altimeter can alert when a desired altitude is reached, company officials said Aviation alerts like time, distance, altitude and a fuel timer are also available during flight.
Also preloaded on the watch is airport information like runway orientation and wind components, runway lengths and airport frequencies.
The D2 Mach 1 offers aviation weather reports, including METARs and TAFs that allow pilots to see winds, visibility and barometric pressure and more before takeoff (when paired with a compatible smartphone, with a data connection, and in range of Bluetooth technology.)
In case of emergency, the watch can show the best glide speed, estimated glide distance, and glide time during an engine-related issue, along with a bearing pointer to the nearest airport and a list of alternate airports.
The D2 Mach 1 automatically starts tracking flights on takeoff, then automatically transfers the date, duration, total flight time, and route to the user’s flyGarmin.com logbook. Pilots can also transfer flight plans from the Garmin Pilot app to the watch.
The watch also includes health monitoring features, sports apps, preloaded workouts, music, and more, Garmin officials noted.
The watch, which can be used with either Android or Apple smartphones, starts at $1,199.99.
For more information: Garmin.com.
Just because you can build something, why do it. $1,200 dollars for a WATCH that replicates what’s already in your panel, phone, ipad and by looking out the window. I would love to watch someone try to navigate to an airport and do an approach by looking at this gadget on their wrist. $1,200 worth of practice or fun fuel in my opinion would be lot better use of the money and you could still be on time by looking at the clock in your panel, phone, ipad or the angle of the sun.
Just my paltry 2 cents worth.