Do you like hiking in the mountains, exploring new trails or knowing where you are at all times? If so, you are probably a big fan of GPS units. With all the different options available on the market, sometimes it’s hard to find the best GPS for hiking that suits your preferences and budget. 

It’s a complex piece of technology and reading though the specs can make your head spin. So, how do you know what is the best model for you?

That’s where we come in. One of our goals here at The Adventure Junkies is to make your life easier when it comes to choosing hiking gear. In this article we’ll walk you through what to look for while shopping for a handheld GPS and how to find the one that is right for you.

THE BEST GPS FOR HIKING – QUICK ANSWER

1. GARMIN ETREX 30

Light, small, great value and with a long battery life. 

2. GARMIN OREGON 650T

Easy to read, waterproof and it comes with the maps included.

3. GARMIN GSPMAP 64ST

Bright display, accurate, fast tracking and with a better reception.

4. GARMIN ETREX TOUCH 35T

Rugged, light and compact device.

5. GARMIN MONTANA 680

Big screen, can be mount anywhere and with a glove friendly display.

6. GARMIN ETREX 20

Affordable, excellent battery life, light and easy to use. 

7. GARMIN RINO 650T

It streamlines GPS & Radio so it can be used to communicate with other hikers in your group. 

photo by daveynin, CC BY

Photo by Tony Webster, licensed under CC BY

THE BEST GPS FOR HIKING – A COMPARISON

PICTURE	GPS	WEIGHT	BATTERY LIFE	SCREEN SIZE	PRICE	RATING
PICTURE	GPS	WEIGHT	BATTERY LIFE	SCREEN SIZE	PRICE	RATING
	Garmin eTrex 30	4.8 oz	25 h	2.2 in	$	4.2
	Garmin Oregon 650t	7.4 oz	16 h	3.0 in	$$$	3.9
	Garmin GPSMAP 64st	8.11 oz	16 h	2.6 in	$$	4.2
	Garmin eTrex Touch 35t	5.6 oz	16 h	2.6 in	$$	4.6
	Garmin Montana 680	10.2 oz	16-25 h	4.0 in	$$$	4.0
	Garmin eTrex 20x	5 oz	25 h	2.2 in	$	4.0
	Garmin Rino 650t	11.3 oz	14-18 h	2.6 in	$$$	3.5

HIKING GPS 101

6 THINGS TO CONSIDER TO FIND THE BEST HANDHELD GPS DEVICE

1. BUTTONS OR TOUCHSCREEN?

Touchscreens operate faster because you don’t need to scroll through options. The downside is they use more battery battery than buttoned models, can freeze up in cold conditions, and don’t work as well with thick gloves.

Buttoned models last longer, work in all temperatures, can be used with thick gloves and are more reliable. The downside is they are slower to respond than touchscreen units and it takes longer to type in waypoints.

2. WEIGHT 

As with any piece of gear you use for hiking, being lightweight is paramount. There are many compact models out there but if screen size is an issue for you, you might need to go for a larger one.

3. DISPLAY

Screen size is important for being able to clearly read the map. For touchscreen models, it is easier to use them with a large screen. The obvious downside to a bigger screen is these models weigh more and are bulky.

4. BATTERY LIFE

You don’t want to be out in the mountains and find out your GPS just died after a few hours of hiking. A minimum of 15 hours of battery life is recommended.

It’s a big plus if the device can take rechargeable AA or AAA batteries, because you can carry a spare set with you. Some models come with a dual battery system, which gives you the option of using the rechargeable lithium-ion pack or traditional AA batteries.

5. BUILT-IN MEMORY

GPS units store data internally and/or on a microSD card. This memory is used to store map data, waypoints, routes and, in some models, even audio, pictures and video. More memory lets receivers hold more data.

6. CONSTRUCTION

Due to the nasty weather you can encounter while in the outdoors, the handheld GPS units should be waterproof, shockproof and robust.

3 ADVANCED FEATURES TO CONSIDER

1. WIRELESS SHARING

Wirelessly share your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches with other compatible GPS users without using cumbersome cords or cables.

2. BUILT-IN CAMERA

Some models come with a built in camera to capture locations and memories. Your photos will also be “geo-tagged” so you can see where on the map you snapped the shot.

3. TWO-WAY RADIO

Some devices have integrated Family Radio Service (FRS) radios for up to 2 miles of range and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) radios with a range of up to 14 miles (in ideal conditions), plus they get the latest forecast from the NOAA 7-channel weather radio.

Photo by istockphoto.com/portfolio/SanderStock

HANDHELD GPS UNITS VS SMARTPHONES & GPS WATCHES

The handheld GPS units have several advantages compared to smartphones. They are waterproof, more robust and durable, and can be used with rechargeable AA or AAA batteries (which allows you to bring an extra set with you).

Also, the navigation is a lot easier in a handheld unit than in a GPS watch. The main reason is the screen’s size and resolution. Current GPS watches cannot simply show a good quality map suitable for hard-to-navigate terrain.

CHOOSING BETWEEN GARMIN MODELS

Garmin is the leader in handheld hiking GPS devices. When it comes to value, durability and functionality they are simply the best. Use this chart to help you decide which series is right for you.

HIKING GPS REVIEWS 

TOP 7 BEST HIKING GPS DEVICES OF 2017 

GARMIN E-TREX 30

GARMIN OREGON 650t

GARMIN GPSMAP 64ST

GARMIN E-TREX TOUCH 35t

GARMIN MONTANA 680

GARMIN ETREX 20X

GARMIN RINO 650t