In contrast, you have to be moving for a differential compass to work properly. For some, this is a great advantage — say during a whiteout next to a cliff edge. Many mountain guides prefer an electronic compass because it makes navigating faster and easier. Only the eTrex 10 doesn't offer an electronic compass.
Another feature that separates high-performing devices from base models is a barometric altimeter, which uses a small sensor to detect air pressure and calculate altitude instead of relying on positional data alone. Barometric altimeters also allow you to track weather patterns and trends, which can be really useful in the mountains when knowledge of a coming storm is crucial. Only the baseline-level eTrex 10 doesn't come with a barometric altimeter.
A camera, microphone, and voice recorder can be nice add-ons to fully document adventures or field data. You can use these media options to mark a waypoint instead of typing one. We loved this option when looking back at our past adventures.
Photos also help keep you on the trail when following a track. This is especially helpful for outdoor guides or scientific surveys.
While many options boast a photo viewer, the Oregon t is the only GPS in our review to include a camera. But extras like that also come at the price of the added size. Another great feature is smart notifications. You can sync your smartphone to your GPS and receive text messages or social media updates on the unit. High-end units like the GPSMAP 66st sport this high level of technicality, but it does take some time and know-how to set up.
If you don't want to take your phone out of the backpack while staying connected, this may be an option for you. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves.
No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Photo: Jared Vilhauer. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more. For the past 8 years, we've tested 25 of the top handheld GPS units side-by-side.
Our review directly compares 7 of the best models available on the market today. An expert team of analysts has navigated through whiteouts, desert washes, fog-covered forests, and high mountain passes from Alaska to the Four Corners.
Our intensive field testing pushes the limits of these units and helps highlight strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition. Our comprehensive review goes in-depth to cover the key features, capabilities, and limitations of each device.
So next time you strike out on an adventure, you'll know you're on the right track with the best handheld GPS unit for your needs. Top 7 Product Ratings. Displaying 1 - 5 of 7. Garmin Oregon t. Garmin Montana Garmin eTrex 32x. Show full specification details Hide full specification details. Reception 8. Fantastic reception in thick coverage. See all prices 2 found. Reception 6. Score Product Price Our Take Garmin eTrex Garmin eTrex Touch One of our testers was surprised how ubiquitous satellite reception is these days, even in Alaska.
All of the Garmin units we tested have very strong and consistent reception. Depending on how and when you plan on using your GPS, a simple user interface like the eTrex 32x may actually be preferable to a touchscreen unit like the Oregon t right.
No GPS unit can substitute for basic orienteering skills, situational awareness, and common sense. They simply tell you where you are and where you've gone. In the unlikely event that you need to call for help, a Personal Locator Beacon is what you want. For navigating rough canyon country, a GPS might afford better tracking capability than a smartphone GPS that could easily lose service, if it even has it in the first place.
A lot of our current testing took place in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Here we see lots of steep, remote terrain that could obstruct satellite signals. We also got ourselves into all sorts of weather conditions.
Can a GPS replace a map and compass? We strongly recommend carrying a map and compass when in unfamiliar terrain. Maps don't run out of batteries or break if accidentally dropped off a cliff. They serve as a fail-safe backup to any electronic device. For more advanced functionality, the largest these lightweight enthusiasts probably want is the 3-inch screen and 7-ounce Garmin Oregon For geocaching, a small or midsize screen should do the trick.
The brightness of the screen and readability in direct sunlight are important considerations. Thankfully, this has been an area of emphasis for Garmin lately, and their new models excel with anti-glare screens with good backlighting and contrast that make maps and text easy to decipher. Some of the best models include the Garmin Oregon and Montana, while the cheaper eTrex falls a little short.
In the end, other than the Magellan eXplorist, which has a small screen size and doesn't excel in bad lighting conditions, readability is a strength among handheld devices. If your explorations take you into deep canyons or under heavy cover, or if accuracy is paramount, you might want to consider a device with multi-GNSS support. All handheld devices come with some form of basemap—essentially a blank screen that will include some major local features—while many include additional preloaded maps or the option to upload more later on.
For Garmin devices, it will largely depend on the age of the product. Older devices like the Oregon do not include this feature. Paired with a subscription often billed monthly with a one-time set-up fee , this tech allows you to connect in areas without cell service, including sending and receiving texts, posting to social media, sharing your location, and communicating between GPS devices.
For a full list of options, see our article on the best satellite messengers. They are cheap, have decent lifespans, and can be swapped out when they are drained. On the downside, if you are heading out for an extended stretch, you'll need to bring a number of backup batteries.
So while AA batteries remain an option for many GPS devices, Garmin and others have turned to rechargeable battery packs as a compelling alternative. The main advantage to rechargeable batteries is the ability to reduce weight and bulk from your pack—and over time the cost-savings can really add up. Standard compasses must be held horizontally to orient properly or be moving if it's GPS-based. Getting a read on barometric pressure is helpful in determining elevation because the higher you go, the lower the pressure.
That said, a barometric altimeter remains the best option for mountainous and backcountry use and can provide a helpful approximation of your current elevation. In most cases, dimensions and weight correspond with screen size. The smallest and lightest handheld options on our list, the Garmin eTrex 22x and Magellan eXplorist , have equally small 2. Those that opt for high-end devices like the Montana are not typically carrying them in their hand or hiking with a pack, instead placing them on a handlebar mount for ATVing or snowmobiling.
Smartphones have been eroding the handheld GPS market for years. And the reasons are fairly obvious: most hikers and backcountry explorers already have their phones along for capturing photos or referencing route information, and the simplicity of keeping everything on one device is a big plus.
In addition, prior concerns with durability have been partially addressed with burlier carrying cases and increased water and drop protection. In terms of mapping and accuracy, handheld devices have the upper hand with greater compatibility with a wider array of satellite systems smartphones use cell towers and GPS , which can be valuable in deep backcountry areas with challenging coverage. That said, most hikers, backpackers, and climbers will be happy with the performance of a smartphone, and there are a number of quality mapping apps available for free or a small charge.
The main hang-up with going the smartphone route, however, is battery life. As things currently stand, this is the main reason to opt for a handheld GPS over a smartphone.
Like a standard GPS device, these watches allow you to find your location on preloaded maps, upload and follow. At best, you get most of the features of a handheld GPS device packed into a streamlined wrist watch. But while the technology is impressive, we have a hard time recommending a GPS watch as a full-blown substitute for a GPS device.
But for those who value the streamlined package and only use GPS occasionally, a high-end GPS watch other options include the Coros Vertix and Garmin Forerunner is certainly an intriguing option.
Who should get this. How we picked. Voice control: A good voice-control system can make it quicker and easier to input a destination, control volume and screen illumination, get traffic and weather updates, and cancel a route by speaking a command.
Traffic alerts: When navigating along the major highways of metro areas, most GPS devices can give you alerts about traffic delays along your route and ask if you want to reroute.
But none of them match the breadth of the traffic info in the Google Maps, Waze, or Apple Maps phone apps. Wi-Fi updating: This handy feature lets you download and install map and software updates to your device over a Wi-Fi network, without removing it from the car, instead of having to plug the device into a computer and manually download the data.
Multi-touch display: As with smartphones, the better GPS navigators have a convenient capacitive display, which lets you use multi-touch inputs. This is particularly helpful for quickly zooming in or out of a map. Many GPS devices use a resistive display, which recognizes only one touch point at a time. How we tested. Our pick: Garmin DriveSmart Photo: Rik Paul. Having the Settings button one tap away is a welcome touch.
Flaws but not dealbreakers. Better for world travelers: TomTom Go Budget pick: Garmin Drive The competition. About your guide. Need further assistance? Please call Member Services at Consumer Reports is not currently testing GPS. Please see our GPS buying guide for more information.
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