Quatix (original)
| Quatix (original) | |
|---|---|
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| The Garmin Quatix (2013): Garmin's first GPS marine watch, built on the Fenix (original) platform with boat-data streaming, virtual-starting-line sail tools, and chartplotter/autopilot remote control | |
| General Information | |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Type | GPS Marine Watch |
| Series | Quatix Series |
| Announced | January 17, 2013 |
| Release Date | April 2013 |
| Discontinued | Yes |
| Price | $449.99 USD |
| Predecessor | None (first in series) |
| Successor | Quatix 3 |
| Sizes Available | 49mm |
| Colors | Black bezel and case with dark-gray/black textured polyurethane band |
| Display | |
| Size | 1.2 in / 30 mm (circular) |
| Type | Monochrome LCD, transflective |
| Resolution | 70 × 70 pixels |
| Physical | |
| Case Size | 49 × 49 × 17.0 mm |
| Weight | 82 g (with band) |
| Case Material | Fiber-reinforced polymer, high-strength housing |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Lens Material | Mineral glass |
| Water Rating | 5 ATM (50 meters; rated for surface swimming only, not dive-rated) |
| Battery Life | |
| Smartwatch | Up to 6 weeks (watch mode, GPS off) |
| GPS Only | Up to 16 hours (Normal GPS mode) |
| Features | |
| HR Sensor | None (external ANT+ strap compatible) |
| GPS | Yes (GPS) |
| Sensors | GPS, 3-axis electronic compass, barometric altimeter, internal thermometer |
| Storage | Up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 10,000 track points |
| Connectivity | USB, ANT+ (including GNT™ 10 NMEA transceiver), Bluetooth Smart |
| Music | No |
| NFC (Garmin Pay) | No |
| Key Features | Marine-only features: virtual starting line + tack assist (SailAssist), NMEA 2000 boat-data streaming via GNT 10, wireless autopilot remote for Garmin GHP/GHC 10, Man Overboard alert to chartplotter (including Auto MOB), worldwide tide database; full Fenix (original) feature set: ABC sensors, TracBack, waypoints, routes, Garmin Connect, ANT+ sensors, BlueChart Mobile / HomePort integration |
| Related | Fenix (original), Tactix (original), D2 (original), Quatix 3 |
The Garmin Quatix (stylized in lowercase as quatix), often referred to as the Quatix 1 retrospectively, was Garmin's first GPS-enabled marine wristwatch. It was announced on January 17, 2013 and released in April 2013 at an MSRP of $449.99.[1][2]
The Quatix was built on the Fenix (original) platform with a set of marine-specific hardware and software additions targeted at both power and sail mariners. Like its sibling the Tactix (original) — released later the same year for tactical users — the Quatix demonstrated Garmin's early strategy of adapting the flexible Fenix platform for specific professional user communities, while keeping most of the Fenix's underlying feature set.[1]
At launch, Dan Bartel, then Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales, stated: "Quatix incorporates the most fundamental and critical marine data with multiple features never before seen in one individual boating watch. In addition to Garmin's easy-to-use interface and wireless integration with pre-existing Garmin marine devices, Quatix is a great aide for mariners of any type."[1]
Overview
The Quatix combines Fenix-platform GPS, ABC (altimeter/barometer/compass) sensors, and waypoint navigation with four classes of marine-specific functionality not found on the Fenix:[1][2]
- Marine data fields — COG (course over ground), SOG (speed over ground), VMG (velocity made good), and related data fields preloaded across the sailing and powerboating profiles.
- Sail racing tools — Virtual starting line between two GPS waypoints, race countdown timer with burn-time calculation, and Tack Assist (headed/lifted indication based on a user-entered optimal tack angle).
- NMEA 2000 boat-data streaming — With a paired Garmin GNT™ 10 NMEA transceiver, the watch streams data (wind, depth, temperature, speed, and other boat sensors) from an onboard NMEA 2000 network to customizable data pages on the watch.
- Chartplotter and autopilot integration — Man Overboard alarms trigger on compatible Garmin chartplotters, including an Auto MOB function that fires automatically if the watch strays too far from the paired GNT; paired with a compatible Garmin GHP autopilot system (via a GHC 10 control head), the watch can act as a wireless helm remote.
What the Quatix adds over the Fenix (original)
Hardware and sensor additions
The Quatix uses the same 49 × 49 × 17 mm case and 70 × 70 monochrome LCD as the Fenix (original) but with a marine-oriented cosmetic treatment: black case and bezel with a textured black/dark-gray polyurethane band. Internally, the Quatix adds NMEA 2000 wireless streaming via the GNT 10 transceiver and a specific radio pairing with the GHC 10 autopilot control head.[1]
Software additions (Quatix-only)
- SailAssist sail-racing tools:[1][2]
- Virtual starting line — Mark two GPS waypoints to define a line and use the watch to time a start so that the boat crosses the line at maximum speed at the exact countdown zero.
- Race timer — Adjustable race countdown synchronized to the official race clock; seconds can be added or subtracted mid-countdown.
- Tack Assist — User-entered optimal tack angle; during the race the watch displays whether the boat is being "headed" (wind shifting unfavourably) or "lifted" (wind shifting favorably), aiding tactical decisions.
- NMEA 2000 streaming — With a GNT 10 NMEA transceiver installed on the boat's NMEA 2000 bus, the Quatix wirelessly receives and displays data such as true/apparent wind speed and angle, water depth, water temperature, and boat speed. Data fields on each watch data page are fully customizable.[2]
- Autopilot control — When paired with a Garmin GHP autopilot system through a GHC 10, the watch can:[2]
- Engage autopilot heading hold from the wrist
- Steer the boat left/right using the up/down buttons
- Trigger preset autopilot actions (e.g., fixed-angle course changes) via programmable buttons
- Disengage the autopilot to return control to the helm
- Man Overboard (MOB) — Manually triggered MOB marks the watch's current GPS position and sends an alarm to a compatible Garmin chartplotter. If the boat is equipped with a Garmin autopilot, the chartplotter can be configured to engage the autopilot and navigate back to the last known MOB position.[1]
- Auto MOB — When connected to a GNT 10, the Quatix can be set to automatically trigger the MOB function if the watch moves outside of GNT range — i.e., if the wearer goes overboard.[2]
- Worldwide tide database — On-wrist tide information for over 3,000 tide stations, viewable by nearby waypoint or by city. Displays a 24-hour tide chart with current tide height and the times of the next high and low tides.[2]
- BlueChart Mobile and HomePort integration — Direct wireless transfer of waypoints, routes, and tracks to Garmin's marine chart apps (BlueChart Mobile on smartphone) and desktop software (HomePort on Windows/Mac).[1][2]
Models and pricing
The original Quatix launched in a single configuration at $449.99 USD:[1]
| Model | Finish | Lens | U.S. MSRP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quatix | Black stainless-steel bezel, black polymer body, black/dark-gray textured polyurethane band | Mineral glass | $449.99 |
Design and build
| Specification | Quatix (original) | Fenix (original) (for comparison) |
|---|---|---|
| Case diameter | 49 mm | 51 mm |
| Dimensions | 49 × 49 × 17.0 mm | 51 × 51 × 17.5 mm |
| Weight | 82 g | 83 g |
| Display | 70 × 70 monochrome LCD (transflective) | 70 × 70 monochrome LCD (transflective) |
| Lens | Mineral glass | Mineral glass |
| Bezel | Stainless steel | Stainless steel |
| Case material | High-strength fiber-reinforced polymer | Fiber-reinforced polymer |
| Water rating | 5 ATM (50 m; rated for surface swimming only) | 5 ATM (50 m) |
| Band | Textured polyurethane, nautical styling | Silicone, outdoor styling |
| Finish | Black case and bezel | Tan/brown with orange accents |
| Operating temperature | −20 °C to 50 °C | −20 °C to 50 °C |
Display
The 70 × 70 pixel transflective monochrome LCD is identical to the Fenix (original) and is backlit by an LED that can be toggled on and off via a dedicated key. The display is optimized for sunlight readability on open water rather than for detailed mapping — map visuals were not available on this platform. Data fields on each data page are customizable, and the set of available fields expands when the watch is streaming NMEA 2000 data.[2]
Marine and sailing features
Sail racing (SailAssist)
The Quatix includes a dedicated Sail Race application and a companion Tack Assist application:[2][1]
| Mode | Description | Key inputs / operation |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Start Line | Two GPS waypoints define the line; watch calculates distance-to-line, required speed, and "burn time" so the vessel crosses at maximum speed at countdown zero | Set start-line waypoints; set race timer synchronized to official countdown |
| Race Timer | Adjustable countdown, synchronisable mid-countdown | Up/down keys to add/subtract seconds once timer is running |
| Tack Assist | Indicates whether the boat is being headed (wind shifting unfavourably) or lifted (favorably) based on a user-entered optimal tack angle | Enter optimal tack angle via Tack Assist > Full Cal. |
NMEA 2000 boat-data streaming
Paired with a Garmin GNT 10 NMEA 2000 transceiver installed on the boat's network, the Quatix streams live boat data to customizable data pages on the watch. The GNT pairing is configured via Setup > ANT Sensor > GNT > On, and streaming is started via Stream N2K. Data pages can display any combination of NMEA 2000 parameters available from connected sensors, including true/apparent wind speed and angle, water depth, water and air temperature, engine data, and fuel level — subject to which transducers and sensors are present on the specific NMEA 2000 bus.[2]
Autopilot control
The Quatix can serve as a wireless autopilot remote when paired with a compatible Garmin GHP autopilot system via a GHC 10 control head. Supported operations include engaging heading hold, steering left/right from the wrist, invoking preset course-change actions, and disengaging the autopilot.[2]
Man Overboard (MOB)
The MOB feature instantly marks the watch's GPS position and triggers an MOB alarm on a compatible paired Garmin chartplotter. If the boat is equipped with a Garmin autopilot system, the chartplotter can be configured to automatically engage the autopilot and navigate back to the last recorded MOB position.[1]
Auto MOB extends this: when the watch is connected to a GNT 10 and Auto MOB is enabled, the MOB function is automatically triggered if the watch moves outside the GNT's wireless range, on the assumption that the wearer has gone overboard.[2]
Tide tables
Tide information covers over 3,000 worldwide tide stations and can be looked up by nearby waypoint or by city. Selecting a station opens a 24-hour tide chart for the current date showing current tide height and the timing of the next high and low tides; users can pan the chart or change the reference date to view forecasts for future dates.[2]
Navigation features
The Quatix inherits the complete navigation toolkit of the Fenix (original) in addition to its marine-specific features:[2]
- TracBack — Navigate back along a previously recorded tracklog to return to the start point.
- Waypoints — Create, mark (hold blue key), edit, save, and navigate to up to 1,000 waypoints.
- Routes — Up to 50 multi-point routes with navigation guidance.
- Tracks — Up to 10,000 track points per saved track; saveable, viewable, and transferable to HomePort / BaseCamp.
- Dual-position coordinate display — Show location simultaneously in two coordinate formats; supports lat/lon (decimal, DMS), UTM, and other regional grids.
- Sighting — Lock a bearing using line-of-sight and navigate along it.
- Basemap — Worldwide basemap preloaded; no street or topographic maps.
- COG / SOG / VMG data fields — Preloaded for sailing and powerboating profiles.[1]
Activity profiles
The Quatix ships with marine-specific Sailing and Powerboating profiles as dedicated presets — each a collection of data-page layouts, data fields, alerts, and sensor settings tailored to the activity — alongside the Fenix (original)'s outdoor profile set. Switching profiles via the blue key instantly reconfigures the data pages (for example, the Sailing profile promotes COG, SOG, VMG, and wind data; the Hiking profile promotes elevation and barometric trend). User-defined profiles are also supported.[2]
| Category | Activities |
|---|---|
| Marine | Sailing (COG, SOG, VMG, wind data via NMEA 2000; integrates with Sail Race and Tack Assist), Powerboating (COG, SOG, depth, water temperature via NMEA 2000) |
| Running | Run, Treadmill (with Auto Lap, Auto Pause, Virtual Partner; footpod compatible) |
| Cycling | Bike, Bike Indoor (ANT+ speed/cadence sensor with wheel calibration) |
| Hiking / Outdoor | Hike, Navigate, Expedition (waypoints, TracBack, ABC sensor integration) |
| Hunt / Fish | Hunt, Fish (with sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset and hunt/fish time predictions) |
| Other | Fully user-customizable profiles |
Bold category (Marine) indicates Quatix-exclusive profiles not present on the Fenix (original). The Quatix (original) does not support swimming pool tracking, multisport/triathlon, or golf — those profiles were added with later Quatix generations on the Fenix 3+ platform. Running Dynamics metrics are not available (added from Fenix 2 onwards).
Training and performance features
The Quatix (original) runs the same training feature set as the Fenix (original). Features are basic by modern Garmin standards, with no optical heart rate (an external ANT+ chest strap is required), no VO2 Max estimation, no Training Status, no running dynamics, and no recovery advisor — features that arrived in the Fenix 2 and Fenix 3 generations.
| Feature | Quatix (original) | Fenix (original) |
|---|---|---|
| Optical heart rate | ✗ | ✗ |
| External ANT+ HR strap support | ✓ | ✓ |
| HR zones (BPM, %Max) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Virtual Partner (pace target) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Auto Lap / Auto Pause | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom data fields / data pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom activity profiles | ✓ | ✓ |
| VO2 Max estimation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Training Status | ✗ | ✗ |
| Running Dynamics | ✗ | ✗ |
| Recovery Time / Advisor | ✗ | ✗ |
| Lactate Threshold | ✗ | ✗ |
| Body Battery | ✗ | ✗ |
| Pulse Ox | ✗ | ✗ |
| Advanced sleep tracking | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connect IQ | ✗ | ✗ |
The Fenix (original) and Quatix (original) share the vast majority of their software feature set; marine-specific features (Sailing/Powerboating profiles, SailAssist, NMEA 2000 streaming, autopilot control, tide tables, Auto MOB) are the distinguishing additions.
Sensors and connectivity
| Sensor / Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| GPS | GPS (single-constellation; no GLONASS at launch); satellite acquisition via Start GPS |
| Barometric altimeter | Auto-calibrates via GPS; used for storm-watch weather prediction |
| 3-axis electronic compass | Reports bearing while stationary as well as in motion; calibration required periodically |
| Internal thermometer | Records ambient temperature (affected by body heat when worn on wrist) |
| tempe external sensor | ANT+ temperature sensor pairable for accurate ambient readings |
| ANT+ HR strap | External chest straps for heart rate; no built-in optical HR |
| ANT+ speed/cadence sensor | Full support for cycling (wheel calibration); ANT+ footpod for treadmill distance |
| GNT 10 NMEA transceiver (ANT+) | Bridges watch to boat's NMEA 2000 network for live marine data streaming |
| GHC 10 autopilot interface (ANT+) | Wireless autopilot control paired with compatible Garmin GHP system |
| Bluetooth Smart | BlueChart Mobile app pairing for waypoint/route/track transfer |
| USB | USB charging cradle; data sync with Garmin Connect and HomePort desktop; firmware updates |
Battery life
| Mode | Battery life | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| GPS (Normal) | Up to 16 hours | 1-second or variable track recording |
| NMEA 2000 streaming, GPS off | Up to 25 hours | Continuous data streaming from GNT 10 |
| Always-On sensor mode | Up to 2 weeks | Sensors active, GPS off |
| Watch mode (GPS off) | Up to 6 weeks | Clock, alerts, basic sensors |
The Quatix uses a 500 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery charged via a proprietary USB cradle.[2]
Comparison: Quatix vs Fenix (original)
| Feature | Quatix (original) | Fenix (original) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Fenix (original) | (base platform) |
| Price at launch | $449.99 | $399.99 |
| Case | 49 × 49 × 17 mm, 82 g | 51 × 51 × 17.5 mm, 83 g |
| Lens | Mineral glass (flat) | Mineral glass (flat) |
| Display | 70 × 70 monochrome (standard) | 70 × 70 monochrome (standard) |
| Finish | Black case + dark-gray polyurethane marine band | Tan/brown with orange accents |
| GPS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Barometric altimeter | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3-axis magnetic compass | ✓ | ✓ |
| TracBack / waypoints / routes / tracks | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANT+ HR / speed / footpod | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth Smart | ✓ (BlueChart Mobile) | ✓ (BaseCamp Mobile) |
| Hunting / fishing times | ✓ | ✓ |
| Battery life (GPS) | 16 h | 16 h |
| Battery life (watch mode) | 6 weeks | 6 weeks |
| Sailing / Powerboating profiles | ✓ | ✗ |
| Sail Racing tools (Virtual Start Line, Tack Assist, Race Timer) | ✓ | ✗ |
| NMEA 2000 streaming (via GNT 10) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Autopilot control (via GHC 10 + GHP) | ✓ | ✗ |
| MOB alert to chartplotter | ✓ | ✗ |
| Auto MOB | ✓ (with GNT 10) | ✗ |
| Tide tables (3,000+ stations) | ✓ | ✗ |
| BlueChart Mobile / HomePort integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Marine data fields (COG / SOG / VMG) | ✓ | ✗ |
Limitations
- No optical heart rate — External ANT+ chest strap required for heart rate data; no wrist-based HR sensor.
- No onboard charts — The Quatix has no built-in marine chart display; it shows GPS position, waypoints, compass headings, and streamed NMEA 2000 data, but does not display cartographic charts on the wrist. BlueChart integration is via the paired smartphone app or desktop software, not on-watch.
- 50-meter water rating, not dive-rated — Waterproofed for surface swimming; the watch cannot be used as a dive computer and is not pressure-rated for scuba depth.[2]
- 70 × 70 display resolution — Very low resolution by modern standards; no mapping display capability.
- GPS only (no GLONASS / Galileo) — Satellite acquisition times can be long in canyons or under cover; no multi-constellation support.
- Separate charging cradle — Proprietary USB charging clip is required; the watch cannot charge via a standard cable.
- Requires GNT 10 for boat data — The boat-data-streaming feature depends on a separately purchased Garmin GNT 10 NMEA 2000 transceiver; no data is available without it.
- No fitness analytics — No VO2 Max, Training Status, Recovery Advisor, running dynamics, or wrist HR. These features were absent from the Fenix platform in 2013.
- No Connect IQ — Connect IQ was introduced in 2014 on the Vivoactive (original) and Fenix 3; the original Quatix does not support third-party apps or watch faces.
Significance
The original Quatix was, at the time of its release, the first GPS wristwatch purpose-built for mariners. Before it, mariners who wanted GPS position, tidal data, or boat integration on their wrist had no dedicated option; the category simply did not exist in a wearable form factor. Garmin had produced handheld marine GPS units (GPSMAP, etrex Legend HCx, GPSMAP 78) and dedicated chartplotter displays for years, but nothing that could be worn.[1]
At launch in 2013, the Quatix brought several practical firsts to the wrist:[1][2]
- First wrist-wearable NMEA 2000 receiver — With a paired GNT 10 transceiver, the Quatix could display any data flowing on the boat's NMEA 2000 bus (wind, depth, speed, temperature, engine data) on a customizable watch data page. No previous wristwatch could do this.
- First watch-based sail race suite — The virtual starting line (two GPS waypoints defining the line), race countdown with burn-time calculation, and Tack Assist (headed/lifted) gave sail racers a complete pre-start and upwind toolkit on the wrist without a separate handheld.
- First watch-based autopilot remote — Wireless control of a Garmin GHP autopilot via a paired GHC 10 control head allowed a crew member to engage heading hold, steer left/right, and invoke preset course changes from the wrist while away from the helm.
- First watch-triggered chartplotter MOB — A Man Overboard event marked on the watch sent the position to a compatible Garmin chartplotter and could automatically engage a paired autopilot to return to the last known position. Auto MOB (triggered if the watch moved out of GNT 10 range) extended this to unintentional overboard events.
- On-wrist tide tables for 3,000+ stations worldwide — Viewable by nearby waypoint or by city, with 24-hour tide charts and next-high/next-low forecasts — functionality previously limited to handhelds, chartplotters, or paper tide tables.
The Quatix was also, alongside the tactix (announced October 2013) and the D2 aviator watch, part of Garmin's earliest evidence that the new Fenix platform could be profitably adapted for narrow professional communities: a shared hardware base with swapped-in, user-community-specific software and cosmetics. The Quatix was the first of these adaptations to ship, making it the template that the Tactix (tactical), D2 (aviation), and later Descent (diving) lines would follow.
Reviewers and mariners noted limits that were characteristic of the first-generation Fenix hardware — a low-resolution 70 × 70 monochrome display, no on-wrist chart rendering, GPS-only positioning, and a non-optical HR setup — but the Quatix established the use cases that every subsequent Quatix generation has continued to build on: sail racing tools, NMEA 2000 boat-data streaming, autopilot remoting, MOB integration, and worldwide tide data.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 "Garmin® quatix™ Marine Watch Joins the Crew to Provide More Information at Sea". Garmin Newsroom. January 17, 2013. Retrieved April 2026
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20 2.21 "quatix Quick Start Manual". Garmin. April 2013. Retrieved April 2026
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