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Best Garmin Gps For Hiking in 2024, Tested In Our Lab

A handheld GPS device is useful for hiking, trekking, and mountain climbing because it allows you to find your way easily, even when visibility is poor, or the landscape has little or no distinctive features. Handheld GPS devices have several advantages over Smartphones commonly used for navigation by recreational hikers. GPS devices are more durable and have much longer battery life. Furthermore, they are often equipped with rechargeable batteries that can be replaced with disposable batteries if they cannot be recharged - for example, in remote, mountainous, and sparsely populated areas. If you are looking for the best handheld gps for hiking, the products below will not disappoint you.


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Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API

4.5
2 ratings

OUR TOP PICKS

 

1. BEST OVERALL: SUUNTO 9 BARO Titanium Leather 

 

  View price on Amazon  

  • NEVER WORRY ABOUT RUNNING OUT OF BATTERY Three predefined battery modes – Performance, Endurance and Ultra – deliver from 25 hours to up to 120 hours* of recording time with GPS tracking on. When you start a recording, you’ll get an estimate of how much battery you have left with the current mode. If it’s not enough, switch to another mode at any time.
  • Suunto 9 is designed and built to meet the demands of professional athletes. Tested to the extreme with thousands of hours of real use in the toughest conditions by Suunto’s internal testing team and athletes all over the world, it is your trusted companion to confidently see you through any adventure!
  • Read more

The Suunto 9 Baro Titanium might look like a typical outdoor watch, and in many ways, it is. But, like many Suunto 9 models, the watch has a potent GPS system that can track waypoints or get an emergency GPS location. The Suunto 9 Baro Titanium does, in fact, have access to the GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, and BEIDOU satellite constellations, offering waypoints and intuitive navigation, POI navigation, bearing navigation, and a variety of programming tools. All in one small package: a route planner. You also get a ton of exercise, and heart-monitoring tools, barometric altitude, weather alerts, and all the bells and whistles of a sports watch.

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2. TOP RATED: Satmap Active 20 Platinum Edition

 

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  • Active 20 GPS unit: Superb GPS reception with 25mm high-gain patch antenna / GPS, Galileo, GLONASS satellite coverage
  • 100% button control and 100% touchscreen control / HVGA hi-res 3.5” Gorilla Glass screen, 2.5mm protection.
  • Read more

A straightforward yet highly efficient handheld GPS device is the Satmap Active 20. As a result, both beginners and experts can use it. Even when you're wearing gloves or your fingers are numb from the cold, the buttons are big and simple. The device has excellent shock and water resistance due to its extremely sturdy construction. The Satmap Active 20 is 1.5 meters deep submersible thanks to its IP68 water resistance. It uses tough Gorilla glass and has an IK7 impact rating as well. Additionally, the Satmap Hiking GPS Unit has Bluetooth Smart built-in, which enables you to wirelessly share your route and connect other devices, like a heart rate monitor, to it.

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3. BEST BUDGET: Garmin Forerunner 45, 42mm Easy-to-use GPS Running Watch

 

  View price on Amazon  

  • Gps running watch with Garmin Coach training plan support
  • Easy to use running watch estimates heart rate at the wrist and features GPS to track your pace, distance, intervals and more
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Even though the watch is designed for runners, some of its features will be useful to you as a hiker. Once the app is installed, you will be able to monitor your heart rate, speed, distance, and time. The same security features as expensive Garmin watches are also present. The watch offers a number of lifestyle and fitness tracking features at a reasonable cost. Unquestionably, the Forerunner 45 is among the best Garmin watches for daily use and backpacking on a tight budget.

 

OTHER CHOICES:

*The prices of the products are just right at the moment when we check. They are subject to changes by the Seller, so some may be slightly different from those found on Amazon when you see them. Please note that they are just for reference. If you want to know the exact price, don't hesitate to check Amazon. 


BUYING GUIDE

1.Screen Size

You'll need a screen of sufficient size if you want to see a lot of detail without having to zoom in too much. You'll lose perspective if you have to squint and zoom, which will make it difficult to determine where you are on the map. There is a trade-off because a larger screen adds weight and bulk and has shorter battery life.

2. Dimensions and Weight

Like everything else in your pack, you want to be as light and compact as possible. The issue is that reduced size and weight also mean decreased functionality. Your overseas GPS device must have the proper screen size and, more importantly, a battery that will last the duration of your trip in order to be useful while you're on the go. Additionally, by delivering with buttons, the touchscreen GPS unit eliminates weight and bulk.

3. Construction

Whatever portable GPS device you decide on, you will drop it eventually. Murphy's Law of hiking also states that inclement weather is the most likely time for you to get lost. Choose a GPS with a rugged design so it won't break at the first bump and can withstand being in the rain. It will be able to withstand some abuse thanks to the rubberized housing, beveled screen edges, and well-sealed battery compartments.


FAQs

1. Should I or shouldn't I connect my GPS device to my phone?

Depending on your specific hiking requirements. Choose a GPS watch with a barometric altimeter and an optical heart rate monitor if you want to go hiking. Choose a device with GPS and smartphone connections if you want to use it with your tablet or smartphone.

2. What is the difference between a compass and a GPS device?

Compass navigates you by tracing directions through the use of a magnetized needle that always points towards the North Star. A GPS device gets its signals from networks of satellites orbiting in space.

3. How can I turn on my GPS?

A GPS device powered by AAA batteries will turn on as soon as you twist open the cover. A device with a USB cord needs to be connected to a USB port for it to function.


WARRANTY

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SOURCE

To provide you with a more objective and trustworthy article, we have researched and made use of the following sources:

  • Amazon.com
  • Wikipedia.com
  • Nytimes.com
  • Thenewyorker.com
  • Consumerreports.org
  • Productreview.com

Dante Hall
Dante Hall
Dante Hall is an electronics technician. This job allowed him to interact with a variety of electronic products. Since then, he has accumulated a lot of knowledge from the outer appearance to the internal structure and how to operate those products. Therefore, he wants to share that knowledge with many people, provide them with helpful information about the product, and give suggestions so they can consider and choose the most suitable product.
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