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A GPS watch is a device with integrated GPS receiver that is worn as a single unit strapped onto a wrist, in the manner of a watch. The watch can have other features and capabilities depending on its intended purpose and be an smart watch. GPS watches are most often used for sports and fitness purposes. Many can connect to external sensors by the wireless ANT+ protocol, and/or to a computer by USB to transfer data and configuration. Common sensors used are heart rate monitors and footpods (running cadence and speed sensor). A footpod can be used to supplement or replace GPS data, such as providing treadmill speed and distance for the watch to log and share. Recharging by USB is commonplace.
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Optional features
Purpose
A GPS watch is commonly a sportwatch. It may be designed for one particular sport or other purpose, or provide modes and features to suit several.
Examples of common purposes:
Accelerometer-only
These devices offer similar functions to GPS watches, but measure speed and distance using a motion sensor (built-in, or a footpod attached to a shoe), instead of GPS. Since they do not rely on GPS, they can work indoors, but do not track location data for mapping. Certain models include heart rate monitoring, either built-in or through a chest-worn sensor. There are also a wide variety of watches that measure only heart rate and time.