Details
Brand
Garmin
Model
D2 Charlie
Battery Life
12 days
Use
Tracking
Latest Version
Yes
Key Features
• Worldwide airport database• Baro• adjustable altimeter• Multiple time zones• Dynamic moving maps in full color• Scratch resistant screen made of sapphire• Connect through Bluetooth for smart notification• GPS navigation• NEXRAD weather display• Customizable watch faces
Comfort
The fit of the Garmin D2 Charlie is not too bad, according to customers. It is a little bulky but once you get used to it, it is not bad. The weight of the watch differs depending on the band you are wearing it with, but no matter what band you choose to wear, it is still light on your wrist and will not be an inconvenience.
Size
s Available;There are no size options for this smartwatch, the bands for the Garmin D2 Charlie are all the same size. The only difference in them is how much they weigh. If you are rocking the titanium band, it weighs in at 147g, which is the heaviest of the three. The watch with the leather band weighs only 95g. Finally, the lightest of the three is the silicone band and that is going to weigh in at 89g.
Accessories
When purchasing the Garmin D2 Charlie you are going to get more than just the watch. The watch comes with an extra black silicone band, a trial subscription to the Garmin Pilot app, the manual, and a charging/data cable.
Style
The beauty of this watch is that you can personalize it to fit your style. The outward appearance does not have very many options, letting you choose between a silicone, titanium, or leather band. However, you can customize the watch face however you want with a ton of free downloadable options to make this watch fit your personality. The Garmin D2 Charlie is a sleek and classic looking watch that will fit in almost any situation, whether at the gym, in a cockpit, or out for a night on the town.
Activities
The Garmin D2 Charlie will track a plethora of activities and workouts for you. This watch will help you meet your fitness goals by tracking and recording your daily activities, from swimming to running, from weightlifting to yoga, the D2 Charlie has you covered. The Garmin utilizes their Elevate wrist heart rate technology to help you track your heart rate throughout your workout so you can adjust your exercises accordingly. The watch is water resistant up to 100 meters and can be worn while swimming or doing any other water-related activities, like water skiing or kayaking. You have the option every morning to customize your step goal for the day and it will track your steps and distance for you, giving you reminders to move if you are inactive for too long. You can also track your sleep with this device, allowing you to monitor your quality and length of your sleep.
Basic Features
The Garmin D2 Charlie will track a plethora of activities and workouts for you. This watch will help you meet your fitness goals by tracking and recording your daily activities, from swimming to running, from weightlifting to yoga, the D2 Charlie has you covered. The Garmin utilizes their Elevate wrist heart rate technology to help you track your heart rate throughout your workout so you can adjust your exercises accordingly. The watch is water resistant up to 100 meters and can be worn while swimming or doing any other water-related activities, like water skiing or kayaking. You have the option every morning to customize your step goal for the day and it will track your steps and distance for you, giving you reminders to move if you are inactive for too long. You can also track your sleep with this device, allowing you to monitor your quality and length of your sleep.
Advanced Features
This aviator watch comes equipped with a lot of features, above and beyond what you would expect from a smartwatch or a fitness tracker. The aviation features alone are impressive. You get a full-color moving map, weather displays, airport information, flight logging, GPS navigation, and if paired with the Garmin Pilot App, it will help you with your flight planning. Most customers probably will not use this watch for the aviation features, but it is nice to know what your smartwatch is capable of.;Some of the other, more advanced features you will get with the D2 Charlie are access to advanced workouts and training plans. You can have access to these features with the use of the Garmin Connect app paired with a compatible smartphone. The Connect app, for example, will give you the ability to download over 40,000 golf courses around the world to give you data on the course and track the game, you can even keep score right on your wrist. You will be able to access advanced workout stats such as running dynamics, physiological metrics, sleep quality, and fitness tracking. Having access to this information about your workout is nice because it will allow measure your progress and make plans for future workouts.
Connectivity
The Garmin D2 Charlie can be paired with your smartphone (either iOS or Andriod) via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity. There are a plethora of apps that are compatible with this watch, however, you have to be connected to a mobile device to have access to them. The same goes for your smart notifications, unlike other smartwatches on the market, you do have to have your phone connected and close to the watch in order to receive your calls and texts.
Ease of Use
If you are not technologically savvy you may have some problems using this product. It is not overly complicated to use, but you will have to have some knowledge to get you started. The initial setup of the smartwatch is going to be the hardest and most time-consuming part when using the watch. You will have to have basic knowledge on how to connect your smartphone to the device, as you will need to have it connected to benefit from all the features it has to offer. A lot of customers had to go to the manual to learn how to use the flight specific features of the device, but if you are simply using it as a fitness tracker and everyday smartwatch then you should not have too many problems using it.
Power Source
The Garmin D2 Charlie uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery to power it up. The length of time between the charges mostly depends on what you are using it for. If you are in the smart mode the watch will last you approximately 12 days and if you are using UltraTrac mode (without the heart rate monitor) it will last about 35 hours. The battery does not last quite as long as the past iterations of the D2 watches, but that is because this one gives a lot more features that take a little more battery power.
Accuracy
Accuracy is a big thing when it comes to tracking your workouts. You are going to want to know exactly what is going on with your body so you can make the most of your exercise. The Garmin D2 Charlie has no problem when it comes this. The Garmin Elevate wrist heart rate monitor will measure your heart rate all day and night and give you accurate readings without having to wear a chest monitor. The GPS technology that is built into the device is also extremely accurate, as it kind of has to be to be used by pilots, so you will have an accurate account of your runs.
Face
The face of the Garmin D2 Charlie has a classic, sleek round look, and a beautiful 240x240p resolution. The screen is bright enough that you will not have to worry about not being able to see it in the direct sunlight, which can be a problem with other smartwatches. The watch faces are customizable and are available for free through the ConnectIQ app store.
Band
When purchasing this watch you can choose between the silver titanium and a brown leather banded option. Both options come with a black silicone band that you can swap out if that is more your style. There are, unfortunately, not many options for the look of the bands, but they are strong and durable so that is a plus.
Apps
There are a wide variety of apps that are compatible with the D2 Charlie to help you get the most use out of your watch. If you connect to the ConnectIQ online store you can download apps, free watch faces, and photos for use with your Garmin. You can pair your device to the Garmin Pilot app to give you flight planning capabilities. You can have access to apps to help you find your car if you forget where you parked. There are music apps and games that you can choose from. There are hundreds of apps to pick from to make this watch truly your own.;The Garmin Connect app is another favorite of users. This is the app that allows you to download advanced workouts and training plans, it allows you to track and monitor your exercise. This is a must-have if you are using this device as an activity tracker. Along with the Connect app, there are many other fitness apps you can put on the Garmin. You can get specialized workout apps, like yoga, running, or swimming. There are just so many options.
Sizes Available
There are no size options for this smartwatch, the bands for the Garmin D2 Charlie are all the same size. The only difference in them is how much they weigh. If you are rocking the titanium band, it weighs in at 147g, which is the heaviest of the three. The watch with the leather band weighs only 95g. Finally, the lightest of the three is the silicone band and that is going to weigh in at 89g.
Durability
The Garmin D2 Charlie is very well constructed and made to last. The screen is made of sapphire and is scratch resistant so you do not have to worry about buying a pesky screen protector for it. The watch is also water resistant, up to 100 meters, so you will not have to worry about the watch taking water damage. The bands, whether you get the silicone, titanium, or leather one, are also extremely durable so you will not have to worry about them wearing out or breaking on you.
Price
The Garmin D2 Charlie is definitely an investment and not something you will want to purchase if you are on a budget. It may be an expensive watch but it is important to keep in mind that it is a very high tech piece of equipment. The price is going to depend on what version of the watch you decide to go with. If you want the watch with the brown leather band the MSRP is $799, but if you want to purchase the titanium watch you are going to be paying quite a bit more, coming in at $999. If you are a pilot and would benefit from the flight features then customers say that it was well worth the money. However, if you do not need all the fancy flight features then you might be better off going with a different, less expensive smartwatch or fitness tracker.
Bottom Line
The Garmin D2 Charlie is an aviator watch first and foremost and comes equipped with a ton of flight-related features that are perfect for pilots and frequent flyers. In addition to the flight features, many customers use the watch for the smartwatch and activity tracker features. If you are a pilot or a frequent flyer and plan on using all the flight features you will get from this watch then this is going to be a perfect fit for you. However, if you are simply looking for a smartwatch and a fitness tracker then there are many other, cheaper options out there that will better suit your needs.
