Once something that only the wealthiest of people could purchase, GPS technology is in everything from dog collars to drones. That being said, a handheld GPS receiver continues to be a valuable tool for those that explore the back country and take long hikes. A GPS can be a vital piece of equipment on your journey of exploration. In fact, a GPS could be the difference of whether you survive not in an emergency situation.
Now that we know the importance of the GPS for hiking, you have to be able to choose the right GPS for you. This isn’t an easy task as there is a great deal of options on the market with all sorts of different features that make it easier for you to navigate through the wilderness. That being said, we are going to review some of our favorite and highest rated GPS units for hiking. These will not include fitness tracking or vehicle navigation. This is strictly for those that are looking for some guidance while out on the hiking trail.
By reviewing some of the options out there, we hope to make your decision on a hiking GPS a lot easier by talking about why we like the product and the features that make it such a highly rated product.
Please check out our list below.
- 1. Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator
- 2. Reabeam GPS Hiking Bluetooth Smart Watch
- 3. Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro
- 4. Garmin GPSMAP 64s Worldwide
Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator
In terms of the best bang for your buck in a hiking GPS while getting all the functions you need, look no further than the Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator. For right around $80 you are getting a product made by one of the leaders in GPS products. This rugged little handheld GPS has a preloaded worldwide basemap and a 2.2 inch display screen to see it on. It is WAAS enabled with GLONASS and HotFix support for reliable signal and fast positioning. In terms of IPX7 standards, this GPS is waterproof and protects against rain, splashes and other ways of getting wet. You get 20 hours of use with two AA batteries so you can count on this being there for you in times that you need it. To sum up this GPS; it is simple, inexpensive and reliable so we suggest giving it a shot if you don’t need anything fancy.
Features
– 1.4” x 1.7” display
– 128 x 160 pixels
– Transflective display type
– Worldwide basemap
– GPS and GLONASS satellites used
– Paperless geocaching
– 2 AA batteries for up to 25 hours of battery life
Reabeam GPS Hiking Bluetooth Smart Watch
Next on our list is a product that works within a watch so you don’t have to hold it when you are trying to find your way. It’s got 11 different professional sports modes and screen that is large and always on. This Bluetooth smart watch does it all including GPS positioning, heart rate monitor, movement tracking, IP68 waterproof, alarm clock, compass, and Bluetooth connection to your phone to name a few things. This product truly covers all your basis and will be a reliable GPS for you when you need it. It also offers 8 different language options and three different colors to choose from.
Features
– Weight – 87.5 grams
– Straps – 24 mm
– Screen size – 1.2 inches
– RAM – 4MB
– CPU Type – MTK2523
– Speed – 208 MHz
– Heart Rate sensor
– Compass sensor
– Barometer sensor
– Temperature and humidity sensor
Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro
Next comes the Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro for your hiking needs and you can own this handy product for $175. You can connect up to 5 devices at a time with the Bluetooth technology and it is compatible with most phones. This product allows you to take your phone with you wherever you are and locate yourself on a custom made map or other loaded maps. The positions are extremely accurate when compared. It’s got WAAS accuracy at a fraction of the price of many of the other GPS on the market today. The large LCD display screen shows information about power, Bluetooth connectivity, location and trip data storage. You can also record 100 hours of trip data for storing and sharing. Use this for up to 35 hours if you are just data logging and 16 hours using Bluetooth.
Features
– Using Bluetooth technology, pair with up to 5 devices
– 35 hours battery life if only data logging
– 16 hours with Bluetooth active
– Fast lock times – 2 seconds Hot Lock time – 15 seconds Warm Lock and 33 seconds Cold Lock
– LCD screen is backlit and shows position data and status
Garmin GPSMAP 64s Worldwide with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver
Finally, for one of our favorite GPS devices out there right now we have to go back to Garmin with their GPSMAP 64s Worldwide with High Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver. This GPS offers a plethora of options and features but the thing to remember is that this GPS has everything you would need and it is extremely reliable for those of you that want to get out there in the wilderness. The battery life is good but if you are looking to make it last even longer we suggest getting some high capacity NI-MHs batteries. One of the cool features that we really enjoy and feel is handy when you are hiking is the ability to share your location and real time movement with the people you care about. Overall, this GPS is durable, reliable and easy to use for people that aren’t as familiar with GPS products and that is why it is one of our favorites of the year.
Features
– 2.6” color display that is sunlight readable
– 4GB of expanded internal memory
– Dural battery system that allows regular AA batteries or optional NiMH battery packs that are rechargeable
– Get smart notifications and pair with ANT+ sensors as an additional option
– Options include hear rate monitor, temperature sensor, cadence/speed or control your VIRB action camera
– Upload wirelessly to Garmin Connect and see it on your smartphone