Understand which you should pick to track your outdoor workouts
Garmin watches are among the top options for accurately tracking outdoor workouts. However, choosing the best GPS mode for the occasion can be tricky.
There’s plenty of jargon to demystify, thanks to the many different Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) mixing with Garmin’s branding for different tracking modes.
Below, we’ll provide the details behind the acronyms and explain optimal conditions for each unique tracking mode on your Garmin watch.
GNSS systems: Understanding the basics
What is GPS?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the satellite array you’ll likely be most familiar with, as the US government’s system has become synonymous with tracking location for activity.
Almost every Garmin watch released over the last decade can access at least GPS, and using it on its own is a great way to save some battery life – even if there are sacrifices to this, as well, which we’ll discuss below.
What is GLONASS?
Like GPS, GLONASS is another satellite system designed to provide positional information from your Garmin.
The difference between GPS and GLONASS is that the latter is developed and operated by Russia. Receivers are said to pick up a signal 20% quicker than those solely using GPS.
Garmin watches (dating back to the Garmin Fenix 3) can pair GPS and GLONASS for a more accurate connection.
What are Galileo, BeiDou, NavIC, and QZSS?
As we know, Garmin watches like the Fenix 8 offer support with six GNSS systems. So, which regions do these cover?
- Galileo = Europe
- BeiDou = China
- NavIC = India
- QZSS = Japan
How to change your Garmin’s GPS mode
Setting a new default satellite tracking mode is very straightforward, and is the same no matter which mode you want to select. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Hold the ‘Up/Menu’ button.
2. Scroll to ‘Settings’ and select ‘Activities & Apps’.
3. Select the activity/app you want to set a new tracking mode.
4. Select the settings for the activity/app (‘Run Settings’, for example).
5. Scroll down to ‘Satellites’ or ‘GPS’.
6. Select the tracking mode you want to act as the new default for that activity/app.
Understanding Garmin GPS options
What is dual-frequency/Multi-Band GNSS?
This is where we split off from state-owned satellites and into Garmin’s lingo.
Dual-frequency – or Multi-Band, as Garmin calls its solution for this – is essentially a method of tracking that allows for more consistent and accurate positioning in challenging environments.
Multi-Band ensures the watch tracks more than one signal from each satellite on different frequencies to mitigate environmental interference.
- Pro: The Multi-Band + All Systems option provides the best accuracy
- Con: Will drain the battery much quicker than other options
All Systems
Another Garmin term, ‘All Systems’ refers to the option on the most premium and modern watches to tap into various GNSS.
Enabling this mode allows Garmin to leverage GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou, and Navic to deliver the most accurate positioning.
Garmin watches that feature ‘All Systems’ offer this as a standalone option – or you can combine it with the power of dual-frequency/Multi-Band to improve accuracy even further.
- Pro: Allows Garmin to switch between the GNSS offering the best connection
- Con: A middle-ground option that doesn’t offer the best accuracy or the least battery drain
SatIQ / Auto Select
Garmin’s SatIQ is the default option on its modern outdoor watches – and cleverly determines the optimal mode based on your surroundings.
SatIQ chooses when Multi-Band may be required (in built-up cities or dense woodland, for example) or when the low-power, standalone GPS can achieve the same accuracy (meaning you don’t burn battery unnecessarily).
Also tagged as ‘Auto Select’ in some watches, enabling it means you trust your Garmin watch to pick the best tracking mode for the occasion – providing optimal accuracy is the priority.
- Pro: Ensures the best accuracy without you having to do anything
- Con: Can be prone to the odd hiccup compared to Multi-Band + All Systems
What is UltraTrac?
This is the option to choose when you’re on the start line of an ultramarathon or extended hike. UltraTrac is the most battery-focused tracking mode available via Garmin.
The GPS data recorded is much less frequent, which means accuracy is likely to be compromised (even when compared to continuous GPS-only tracking).
- Pro: A superb option for multi-day events when battery life is the priority
- Con: Accuracy will be seriously compromised
Which systems does my Garmin support?
Garmin devices that only support GPS
- D2
- D2 Bravo
- Epix
- Fenix
- Fenix 2
- Tactix
Garmin devices that support GPS-only or GPS + GLONASS
- D2 Charlie
- Fenix 3
- Fenix 3 HR
- Fenix Chronos
- Tactix Bravo
Garmin devices that support GPS, GPS + GLONASS, and GPS + Galileo
- D2 Delta series
- Descent G1 series
- Descent Mk1 & Mk2 series
- Enduro
- Fenix 5 & 5 Plus series
- Fenix 6 series
- Instinct & Instinct 2 series
- MARQ Collection
- Tactix Charlie
- Tactix Delta series
Garmin devices that support All Systems
- D2 Mach 1
- Enduro 2
- Enduro 3
- Epix (Gen 2) & Epix Pro (Gen 2) series
- Fenix 7 & 7 Pro series
- Fenix 8 series
- Tactix 7 series
