Which Smart Watch Does the US Navy Seals Use and Why?

Which Smart Watch Does the US Navy Seals Use and Why?

Navy SEALs don’t officially endorse or standardize a single smartwatch across the force, but based on open-source reports, interviews, gear breakdowns, and military gear suppliers, these are the smartwatches and wrist-worn devices most commonly used by Navy SEALs and other Tier 1 operators:

 ✅ 1. Garmin Tactix Delta / Tactix 7

Most commonly cited smartwatch among special operations.

Why SEALs use it:

  • Built to MIL-STD-810 (thermal, shock, water resistance)
  • Night vision compatibility
  • Stealth mode: disables wireless communication and location sharing
  • Kill switch: instantly wipes all user data
  • Jumpmaster mode: for HALO/HAHO parachuting
  • Advanced GPS/GLONASS/Galileo navigation
  • Customizable tactical screens (dual-position GPS, waypoints)
  • Long battery life (up to 21 days in smartwatch mode)

Reputation: Popular among SEALs, Green Berets, MARSOC, and recon units.

✅ 2. Garmin Foretrex 701 Ballistic Edition

Wrist-mounted GPS unit, not a traditional smartwatch, but widely used.

Why it’s favored:

  • Lightweight, rugged, wearable on wrist or gear
  • Advanced navigation with ballistic calculator (Applied Ballistics Elite)
  • Can integrate with ATAK (Android Tactical Assault Kit)
  • Extremely durable, long-lasting battery life
  • Minimal digital signature (no unnecessary wireless features)

Reputation: Carried by snipers, JTACs, and special reconnaissance units.

✅ 3. Suunto Traverse Alpha

Used by some operators, especially in field surveillance and navigation roles.

Why SEALs (occasionally) use it:

  • Rugged, military-grade construction
  • GPS/GLONASS navigation
  • Night vision goggle compatible
  • Shot detection (useful for snipers/hunters)
  • Custom breadcrumb trails

Reputation: Not as common as Garmin but known in special operations circles.

 Other Notes:

Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch are not used operationally due to:

  • Poor durability
  • Lack of stealth or kill-switch features
  • High electromagnetic signature
  • Unreliable GPS and battery life under field conditions

SEALs often customize gear—watches may be paired with:

  • Secure Android phones using ATAK on a Juggernaut. Case wrist mount
  • Navigation devices like the Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR)

🔒 Security Considerations

Navy SEALs have strict protocols:

  • Personal devices (like Fitbits, Apple Watches) are banned in forward-deployed or classified environments.
  • Devices must support stealth and data security.

🧭 In Summary

| Smartwatch/Device     | Use Case                          | Notable Feature                               |
| ------------------------ | --------------------------- | --------------------------------------- |
| Garmin Tactix Delta/7 | General Ops, Navigation  | Stealth mode, kill switch, NVG-ready    |
| Garmin Foretrex 701   | Snipers, JTACs, Recon      | Ballistic calculator, rugged GPS unit   |
| Suunto Traverse Alpha | Navigation, Surveillance | GLONASS, NVG-compatible, shot detection |

Back to blog