Watch for Beast

A

arcticharley32

USMA 2025
Joined
Dec 12, 2020
Messages
71
I want to buy a durable watch to use during Beast and the rest of my time at West Point -- does anyone have any suggestions? Are there certain features that are helpful to have?
 
G shock is great. Even cheaper option that worked great for me when I lost said G shock, timex ironman. Cheap, super durable, has an alarm/stopwatch/backlight. Does everything a watch needs to do in the field and is unobtrusive in uniform
 
A simple, inexpensive digital watch - water resistant, easy to keep clean (rubber/plastic/vinyl band), dial that illuminates with push of button. 2+ alarms - one for waking up and another for other activities/reminders.

The Casio G-Shock is a popular option, but any similar sport watch will do. Keep it simple. Each brand offers models with more features, but you do not need the models with the most features and highest price. Can easily get a great watch for under $50 and a perfectly acceptable one for under $30.
 
jl123 said:
A simple, inexpensive digital watch - water resistant, easy to keep clean (rubber/plastic/vinyl band), dial that illuminates with push of button. 2+ alarms - one for waking up and another for other activities/reminders.
Click to expand...
Agree with the G-Shock or Ironman recommendations. If you can find one with a vibrating alarm option, it is a very good feature according to my son.
 
Hope25ful said:
Can you bring a Garmin with you? I have one at the moment, but do you suggest getting a G-shock for CBT and packing my Garmin for after?
Click to expand...
wondering the same thing. DS has a Garmin. But should he use something else during Beast and save Garmin for after?
 
Many watches don't survive Beast, so you may want to opt for a cheaper option for summer training.
 
Hope25ful said:
Can you bring a Garmin with you? I have one at the moment, but do you suggest getting a G-shock for CBT and packing my Garmin for after?
Click to expand...
ValleyofTheSun said:
wondering the same thing. DS has a Garmin. But should he use something else during Beast and save Garmin for after?
Click to expand...
Have a parent bring it on A-Day. I recommend the Garmin Instinct Tactical, it is useful for CFT (gives you 8-digit military grid coordinates). It is plenty robust. You can't use a GPS watch during Land Nav and have no real need for it during CBT.
 

I can't post a link, but search for "Casio Men's W735H-1AVCF Super Illuminator Watch with black resin band"​

About $25 on that site named after a rainforest.
 
bookreader said:
Many watches don't survive Beast, so you may want to opt for a cheaper option for summer training.
Click to expand...
I am surprised at this, and this thread is making me think about my own watch circumstance for CBT '21. I own a Garmin Fenix 6S Sapphire. The specs are as follows:
LensSapphire Crystal
BEZEL MATERIALDiamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated steel
CASE MATERIALfiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover

To me this all sounds super durable. I'm a runner, and I also swim with it. I think it is water resistant up to 100m (10ATM). Given this info, for my own reassurances, should I bring this watch or buy a cheaper more expendable but also durable watch? I went to three ROTC FTX's, and this watch has remained unscathed. But I am also not sure how six weeks of BEAST and a few two night FTXs compare.
 
quenty said:
I am surprised at this, and this thread is making me think about my own watch circumstance for CBT '21. I own a Garmin Fenix 6S Sapphire. The specs are as follows:
LensSapphire Crystal
BEZEL MATERIALDiamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated steel
CASE MATERIALfiber-reinforced polymer with metal rear cover

To me this all sounds super durable. I'm a runner, and I also swim with it. I think it is water resistant up to 100m (10ATM). Given this info, for my own reassurances, should I bring this watch or buy a cheaper more expendable but also durable watch? I went to three ROTC FTX's, and this watch has remained unscathed. But I am also not sure how six weeks of BEAST and a few two night FTXs compare.
Click to expand...

I have Fenix for my everyday watch out in the force. Its plenty durable. The issue you're going to run into is you most likely will not be allowed a smart watch of any sort during CBT, although current cadets can correct me on this. A dumb, cheap durable watch would be a safer bet for the summer and then go back to using your Fenix during the school year when you get more privileges.
 
Also, learn how to silence your watch prior to beast if digital(so it doesn't beep with every action).
My watch history(this is all personal preference):
-digital gshock for beast and plebe year (i used the alarm quite a bit)
-cheap tritium(nice in the field to check time during patrol shifts and don't have to illuminate the area with digital brightness) quartz watch (i found others will set alarms long before you want to wake up) for the rest of my time at west point
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top