The Greatest Handheld GPS of 2023

Whereas smartphones and GPS watches are certainly helpful for navigation, they’ll’t match the interactive and detailed capabilities of a handheld GPS. A high-quality handheld GPS means that you can view a layered overview of the terrain, insert waypoints, plan a route, and seamlessly log information.

In comparison with a smartphone, a handheld GPS has some main benefits, together with superior sturdiness and for much longer battery life. Merely put, no different sort of machine available on the market can take the place of a great handheld GPS.

Whether or not you’re making an attempt to remain on the right track by way of a whiteout or chart an environment friendly path by way of the desert, the transportable GPS units on this listing will get the job carried out. Whereas we do nonetheless suggest bringing a map and compass as an analog backup in case know-how fails you, the merchandise on this listing are top quality, and we stand by every one.

You’ll discover this listing is dominated by Garmin merchandise. We don’t have a particular relationship with Garmin, nor do we have now an inherent desire for the model. Merely put, Garmin has a agency grasp on the hand held GPS market, and its merchandise are top-notch.

Scroll by way of to see all of our advisable buys or soar to the class you’re on the lookout for. On the finish of our listing, make sure to try our complete purchaser’s information, in addition to our comparability chart. And you probably have some questions, check out our listing of incessantly requested questions.

The Greatest Handheld GPS of 2023

---

Handheld GPS Comparability Chart

Handheld GPS	Battery Life	Weight	Reminiscence	Display screen Measurement	Display screen Colour
Garmin GPSMAP 66i	35 hrs. in customary mode; 200 hrs. in expedition mode	8.1 oz.	16 GB with expandable reminiscence	3″ diag.	Daylight-readable coloration
Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS	24 hrs.	1.9 oz.	Unpublished	2.2″ diag.	Black and white
Garmin eTrex SE	168 hours in customary mode; 1,800 hours in expedition mode	5.5 oz.	28 MB	2.2” diag.	Black and white
Garmin inReach Mini 2	As much as 336 hrs. (in 10-minute monitoring mode)	3.5 oz.	Can save as much as 1,000 waypoints	0.9″ diag.	Black and white
Garmin Foretrex 601	48 hrs.	3.1 oz.	3.4 GB and suitable with micro-SD	2″ diag.	Black and white
Garmin eTrex 22x	25 hrs.	5 oz.	8 GB	2.2″ diag.	Daylight-readable coloration
Garmin Montana 700i	18 hrs.	1 lb., 7.3 oz.	16 GB and suitable with micro-SD playing cards	5″ diag.	Daylight-readable coloration
Garmin eTrex 32x	2 AA batteries last as long as 25 hrs. earlier than needing alternative	5 oz.	8 GB, micro-SD card suitable	2.2″ diag.	Daylight-readable coloration

Why You Ought to Belief Us

The GearJunkie crew is made up of hikers, cyclists, hunters, anglers, expeditionary explorers, and rather more. GPS units are important instruments for most of the actions that we love. Over time, we have now examined many various handheld GPS items, and this listing contains the most effective of the most effective.

Employees Author Austin Beck-Doss dove headlong into the wilderness of Wyoming in an effort to check nearly all of these GPS units — and made it again out to report his findings. Whereas testing handheld GPS units within the subject, we assessed sturdiness, connectivity, ease of use, weight, and battery life. We’ve examined units whereas navigating by way of slot canyons, dense woods, whiteout snow storms, and distant backcountry tundra.

Past our crew’s expertise, we additionally thought-about the preferred and bestselling units available on the market and a broad vary of value factors and options.

Purchaser’s Information: Select a Handheld GPS System

Although handheld GPS units have been obtainable for a number of many years, current developments have vastly improved the capabilities of the choices obtainable available on the market in 2023.

A few of the units on this listing focus strictly on offering high quality GPS mapping and place monitoring. Different choices additionally provide a protracted listing of further options akin to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, touchscreen shows, satellite tv for pc messaging, emergency options, altimeters, compasses, and extra.

With so many obtainable options and many high-quality choices, it may be troublesome to navigate the market and determine which handheld GPS most closely fits your wants. Bear in mind, the best machine is the one that may add essentially the most profit to your life and your navigational pursuits.

Earlier than you buy, think about your wants. It might even be useful to make an inventory of options which might be non-negotiable for you. Figuring out your finances earlier than you start procuring may additionally assist, as units available on the market range wildly in value from $100 to over $700.

We suggest each machine on this listing. Via cautious analysis and product testing, we have now compiled an inventory of well-made, high-quality handheld GPS units. Our information for a way to decide on goals to clarify varied options and terminology you’re positive to come across as you store for a handheld GPS.

Reception

The positional accuracy of handheld GPS units has improved steadily over the many years. Now, high-quality units akin to those on this listing can pinpoint the consumer’s location inside a margin of 10 meters or much less.

In response to Garmin, the producer of a number of units on our listing, items which might be outfitted with the Extensive Space Augmentation System (WAAS) will be correct to three meters or much less. Most GPS items use one or two satellite tv for pc programs to assemble information, with the Garmin GPSMAP 66i utilizing a whopping 5 totally different platforms to maintain you on monitor.

International Navigation Satellite tv for pc Techniques

Whereas GPS (International Positioning System) has grow to be synonymous with satellite tv for pc navigation units, this is just one orbiting satellite tv for pc system in a constellation of programs which might be generally known as GNSS, or International Navigation Satellite tv for pc Techniques.

America International Positioning System is definitely the world’s most utilized system however is joined by the Russian GLONASS, Chinese language BeiDou, the European Union’s Galileo, and the regional Japanese system QZSS. Normally, the extra GNSS programs {that a} GPS machine is able to receiving, the higher the placement constancy. That is usually denoted as ‘Multi-GNSS Succesful’.

Lately, GPS units have begun to include chipsets that reap the benefits of the totally different generations of satellites inside particular person satellite tv for pc programs. These programs are consistently being up to date, and new satellites are launched yearly, so there are a variety of various units of satellites {that a} GPS can key in on. By broadening information assortment, new GPS units can eke out much more satnav horsepower.

In landscapes each city and undeveloped, giant options akin to canyons and skyscrapers can degrade your sign and reduce the accuracy of your GPS machine. To keep up a transparent sign with satellites, it helps to hold your machine on the outside of your pack.

App Integrations

That is the place issues get fascinating. When out within the subject, you’re relying in your GPS. However whenever you get again house and even to camp, you may obtain an app to add your tracks, waypoints, and every little thing the GPS recorded throughout your journey. 

Most GPS items can pair along with your smartphone and even have the aptitude to attach through Bluetooth. That is particularly useful with smaller items just like the Garmin inReach Mini 2, the place you may connect with your cellphone and use the larger buttons in your cellphone to speak two methods. 

Our testers usually depend on this feature throughout downtime in a tent when there’s blustery climate — a lot better to kind on a cellphone as a substitute of on a small display. 

Satellite tv for pc Navigation on Your Smartphone

As smartphones enhance 12 months over 12 months, many backcountry customers have taken to using navigation apps akin to Gaia GPS, CalTopo, or Avenza Maps to seek out their method. The profit is that your cellphone usually has a stout processor and expanded reminiscence, which might make in-device navigation a way more fulfilling expertise.

Whereas many smartphones incorporate a rudimentary GPS chip for location discovering, that is usually augmented with cellphone tower pings to higher triangulate your location. Whenever you go away the protection of cell towers, you lose this skill and with it, some accuracy. For many who don’t require pinpoint navigation, this stage of knowledge can usually be ample. However in lots of circumstances, having the extra information {that a} full GNSS receiver gives can preserve you on monitor when it issues.

Ease of Use

Each handheld GPS machine has a novel consumer interface you’ll need to study because the machine’s operator. Some units, just like the Garmin eTrex SE, are operated utilizing a small variety of easy buttons, whereas others, just like the Garmin Montana 700i, depend on a big coloration touchscreen show.

Irrespective of the configuration of your machine, we suggest spending a while studying the consumer handbook and practising navigating along with your machine earlier than you head out into the backcountry.

Shows and Buttons

Massive touchscreens have a tendency to supply a shorter studying curve because of their giant, brilliant, and colourful shows. These sorts of units are fast to study for individuals accustomed to smartphone use, however in addition they include some downsides.

Most notably, touchscreen handheld GPS units are troublesome to make use of when the climate is chilly or moist. Whereas out searching, fishing, or mountaineering, it’s possible that you just’ll be sporting gloves. Merely put, you may’t function a touchscreen with out touchscreen gloves, which renders high-end units just like the Garmin Montana 700i warm-weather-specific.

For an excellent easy-to-use handheld GPS that makes use of buttons as a substitute of a touchscreen, we suggest the easy and inexpensive Garmin eTrex SE.

To take care of the problem of glare and sunny-day readability, Garmin’s new fashions have been engineered with antiglare screens that make maps and information straightforward to decipher — even within the direct solar.

In-System Navigation

Out of the field, most GPS units include a really simplistic map that shows little element concerning the terrain. Some high-end units include a number of maps preloaded, every displaying sure data and landmarks akin to roads, trails, and lakes.

Many units can help you buy further maps and add them to the machine. Some sources, akin to america Geological Survey (USGS), provide free spatial information that may be added to your machine.

Usually, the extra information and details about the terrain that your machine incorporates, the better it will likely be to navigate utilizing the mapping operate of the machine.

Satellite tv for pc imagery, which is basically aerial images of Earth which were stitched collectively, is normally troublesome to see and make the most of on a handheld GPS machine. Nevertheless, some units with bigger shows just like the Garmin Montana 700i are extra able to making use of satellite tv for pc imagery throughout navigation.

Most makers of handheld GPS units have created their very own software program that’s used to prepare and show the tracks and waypoints that you’ve got saved utilizing your machine.

BaseCamp from Garmin is a wonderful platform that gives every little thing you want as a GPS consumer. For instance, utilizing BaseCamp, you may overlay your waypoints and tracks onto Google Earth. That is particularly useful for units unable to make the most of satellite tv for pc imagery on their very own.

Battery Life

Many handheld GPS units nonetheless depend on AA batteries, that are low cost, fast to switch, and simply accessible. Nevertheless, when you’re heading out on a protracted expedition the place entry to a retailer is out of the query, you’ll need to carry a probably annoying amount of contemporary batteries to maintain your machine working. Whereas AA batteries stay an choice, some producers at the moment are making units with rechargeable battery packs as a sensible various.

Rechargeable batteries can scale back weight and get monetary savings over time. Many outside professionals and recreationists carry battery packs or photo voltaic panels, that are compact methods of recharging a handheld GPS within the subject. Many fashions have rechargeable batteries which might be additionally suitable with AA batteries as a backup.

Relying on the size of the journeys you’ll be taking along with your machine, goal for a handheld GPS that has a protracted battery life whereas in lively GPS-enabled modes. Usually, one of many trade-offs of huge touchscreen units is that they have a tendency to have a shorter battery life than button-operated options.

Weight

Relying on the place you’re going along with your GPS and the way you propose to get there, weight could also be an essential consideration. Some handheld GPS units, just like the Garmin inReach Mini 2 and Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS weigh underneath 4 ounces. Others, just like the Garmin Montana 700i, weigh over a pound.

Oftentimes, smaller units might want to go away some options out in an effort to hit the profile they’re aiming at. Once we are contemplating a GPS, we regularly weigh the power of the GPS by itself, in addition to think about if our cellphone will likely be wanted to take full benefit of all of its options. A small GPS plus cellphone combo could be a highly effective crew, however many might as a substitute go for an all-in-one machine, just like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i.

Reminiscence

Most data saved to handheld GPS units comes within the type of routes or coordinates for a selected location you wish to save for future use. For many journeys, just a few waypoints are mandatory.

Units on this listing are able to saving between 500 and 10,000 waypoints at any given time, which ought to be greater than sufficient — particularly when you plan to clear this information or transfer it to a different machine between journeys.

Nevertheless, when you plan to avoid wasting waypoints from a number of journeys , or if you would like to have the ability to retailer numerous maps and satellite tv for pc photographs in your machine, search for choices with loads of space for storing. Excessive-end fashions usually maintain as much as 16 GB of knowledge, and lots of are additionally suitable with micro-SD reminiscence playing cards for extra storage capability.

Mapping

Each handheld GPS comes with a fundamental map, which is basically a clean display that features essentially the most noteworthy native options and nothing extra. Many trendy Garmin merchandise include a preloaded base map with contour strains that convey elevation, factors of curiosity, and main trails and roads.

On most units, maps will be added to enhance on the default base-level map to create a extra detailed structure of the terrain round you. Bear in mind, further maps take up reminiscence, so ensure your machine isn’t full if you wish to add extra maps.

Some simplistic units just like the Garmin Foretrex 601 aren’t capable of settle for new maps. Others, just like the Garmin Montana fashions, will be totally personalized.

Satellite tv for pc Messaging and Emergency Options

Satellite tv for pc messaging units have the power to ship (and generally obtain) messages in areas the place mobile units don’t have reception. Now, many handheld GPS units have been constructed with this functionality to create a category of all-in-one backcountry navigation and communication instruments.

To make use of these messaging options, a paid subscription is normally required which permits a restricted variety of messages to be despatched and acquired every month.

For many who want to talk with others whereas out of cellphone vary, this is a useful characteristic that may quell fear from afar and preserve everybody within the loop. Some satellite tv for pc messaging units will be programmed to mechanically ship out predetermined messages at common time intervals.

Within the occasion of an emergency, you should have the ability to shortly sign for assist. Some units have an SOS button that may immediately set off a response from native emergency medical providers. On this listing, the Garmin inReach Mini 2 has extra communication options than navigation options, however it’s an excellent little machine.

Geocaching

Geocaching is an more and more in style outside exercise that makes use of navigational instruments to seek for cool treasures which were hidden everywhere in the world. Most GPS items are appropriate for aiding fans on this passion, and a few are even designed particularly for geocaching adventures.

The Garmin eTrex SE is a straightforward and glorious private GPS tracker that serves as an inexpensive entry level into the thrilling world of geocaching. It receives automated cache updates from Geocaching Dwell, and means that you can add your profitable finds on to your Geocaching profile from inside the machine.

Altimeter

Most handheld GPS units embrace a barometric altimeter. When navigating, it’s usually extremely essential to concentrate on your present altitude with an correct barometer. Utilizing stress sensors, an altimeter can even assist you monitor climate patterns and traits, which is essential data to have — particularly within the mountains.

Compass

A 3-axis compass, which is included in most midlevel (and up) handheld GPS fashions, means that you can learn path regardless of the way you’re holding the machine. It’s a helpful characteristic, although it’s not strictly mandatory as a result of it’s a good suggestion to hold a normal compass as a backup anyway.

What About GPS Watches?

Lately, GPS watches have grow to be smaller, quicker, and extra highly effective than ever — now rivaling most of the functionalities of handheld GPS items. The identical satellite tv for pc navigation chipsets are used throughout each types of units. Whereas a devoted machine will nearly at all times be faster, a GPS watch can have spectacular monitoring capabilities, particularly whether it is Multi-GNSS succesful.

Whereas those that are drawn to the extra all-in-one GPS choices — just like the Garmin GPSMAP 66i or Montana 700i — possible gained’t think about a GPS watch as a viable various, those that are trying right into a smaller machine that depends on a cellphone for expanded navigation capabilities might discover them to be a potential various.

When you land on this camp, think about {that a} GPS watch will usually have a shorter battery life in comparison with a small GPS unit. Additionally, their antennas are a lot smaller than a purpose-built machine. This will imply an extended wait time when in search of out a location lock.

FAQ