Which garmin etrex is best

This gives you a detailed set of topography throughout a variety of popular hiking mountains throughout the world, which is better than a blanketed, one-size-fits-all topography approach. The brilliant, sunlight-readable 2. The Oregon line is somewhat known for its screen quality as they all feature full, super-bright as in fully sunlight readable displays that are all three inches.

And the Garmin Oregon t is no different. The t comes with ANT and Bluetooth functionality for some additional connectivity, and there are topographical maps to go with your location-based scouting to ensure that your climbs go to plan. Now, there is a t, but as best as we can tell, the only major difference here was the inclusion of an 8MP digital camera in the t. It features 50 routes with its eTrex 30x version and has a hour battery life with two AA batteries. Users can save over 10, points and saved tracks in its logging system, allowing them to re-visit old sites.

It comes with a one-year consumer limited warranty. If you plan on taking an extended hike through unfamiliar territory, you can't do much better than the Garmin GPSMAP 64st , which brings together an intuitive interface, excellent durability, and lengthy battery life. However, if your trip is taking you over water or through a particularly damp climate, we'd recommend the Garmin eTrex 10 for its IPX7 water resistance rating.

How to choose a GPS for hiking? If you're a hiker, you'll want to consider several factors before picking a handheld GPS.

A GPS that you take on the trail needs to be rugged and water-resistant, it should have batteries you can replace while out in the wilderness, and it should have features that are geared toward outdoor use. Features like a two-way radio are an added bonus if you're hiking with a friend. How to use a handheld GPS for hiking? A handheld GPS doesn't work the same as a map on a smartphone. A GPS is a more complicated device that uses satellite data. TO get it working, you'll need to start by pinpointing your location through trilateration.

From there, you can pick out coordinates of your destination, set it as your endpoint, and create waypoints along the way. For instance, you can set waypoints to mark the source of water, a campsite, or where you parked in addition to your destination.

Who makes the best handheld GPS? Garmin is one of the biggest names in the game when it comes to handheld GPS. They're a reputable company that offers durable and high-quality handheld GPS options. Unsurprisingly, they dominate this roundup, but we also like Magellan, and they can be a more flexible alternative to Garmin. The type of battery is important, too; rechargeable batteries can be more convenient, but swappable batteries mean you can carry an extra set on the go.

Do you want topographical maps? What about built-in geocaching information? If you spend a little more, you can get a really nice set of maps for your device. That extends to your handheld GPS. A tiny device might have too small a screen to be able to see in bright sunlight. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

Use precise geolocation data. Select personalised content. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance. The camera features autofocus, geo tagging and sharing through Garmin Adventures. Trips can be easily planned in the Garmin BaseCamp app. The Garmin Oregon t comes with Topo U. It is slightly bigger and heavier than the Garmin Oregon t but on the other hand it also has a bigger display an inch extra with better resolution.

This does not completely eliminate the fact that touchscreens are hard to use with gloves on because wearing a thick glove you will still have problems touching the screen precisely. Garmin Montana t is powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery but can also run on 3 standard AA batteries.

The lifetime of the lithium-ion battery is approximately 16 hours and the lifetime of 3 standard AA batteries is slightly longer — approximately 22 hours. The Garmin Montana t is a powerful navigation tool but it has two big downsides — weight and size. Therefore, it is suitable for beginners as well as professionals.

The device weighs 11 ounces and is equipped with a 3. The buttons are large and easy to use — even when you are wearing gloves or having fingers numb of cold. The construction is very solid and thus the device offers good protection against shock and water.

Satmap Active 20 has the IP68 water-resistance rating which means that it can be submerged up to 1. It also has the IK7 impact rating and utilizes the robust Gorilla glass. The Satmap gps device is equipped with Bluetooth Smart which allows you to share routes wirelessly and connect additional equipment, like a heart rate belt, to it. It is also equipped with a barometric altimeter for precise readings. Altitude information is available even if the GPS signal is lost — exactly due to the barometric altimeter.

The included rechargeable battery lasts for up to 16 hours but can be replaced with 3 AA batteries. The Satmap Active 20 is a great device for every hiker or mountaineer. The main advantages of the Satmap Active 20 in comparison to the competition are the convenient buttons and the large high-resolution display.

Average rating 4. Outdoor enthusiast with experience in all types of hiking and mountaineering. Hiked in the Alps, Iceland and other countries. In love with via ferrata trails and snow-covered slopes. Check out my hikes. The Best Hydration Bladders for Hiking in We regularly update our reviews and selections to always recommend you the best products on the market.

Expert Selections We only list top-tier products. Read how our selections of best hiking products differ from others here. Links We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases at no extra cost to you. Best Hiking GPS. Garmin eTrex Where to buy? Buy from Amazon. Garmin Oregon t. Hard to use with gloves on. Garmin Montana t. But its navigation does fall short in a few significant ways.

See the Garmin inReach Mini. Weight: 5 oz. Screen: 2. Expensive GPS devices offer an overwhelming and, for some, unnecessary number of features. As such, a good number of outdoors people will be best off with the budget-friendly eTrex 22x. The device is simple to use, comes with 8 GB of internal memory, 25 hours of battery life, and a tough, water-resistant construction.

The two models are identical in the basic design and size, but the 32 includes a compass and barometric altimeter.

Our take is that if you can do without the added sensors, the eTrex 22 is the better all-around value. See the Garmin eTrex 22x. Weight: 7. Battery life: 16 hours Memory: 3. One of the common sacrifices in swapping your smartphone for a handheld GPS is user experience. And the model is a breeze to use relatively speaking with accurate touchscreen functionality, including simple menus and dedicated profiles for various sports hiking, cycling, paddling, and more. In comparing the Oregon to a device like the GPSMAP 64sx below, the decision largely comes down to preference between buttons or a touchscreen.

See the Garmin Oregon This device is feature-packed, has a clear and easy-to-read 2. In the end, the GPSMAP 64sx is a durable and reliable option for everything from backcountry hiking and cycling to geocaching. Weight: Screen: 5 in. Battery life: 18 hours in expedition mode Memory: 16 GB accepts microSD What we like: Massive, high-resolution display and tank-like durability.

A big hit with hunters and moto adventurers, the Montana recently received a major revamp with the new series. Overall, its defining features still remain: a large touchscreen, tough build with a raised bezel, and advanced navigation capabilities.

But the is significantly modernized compared to its predecessor the , with a larger and higher resolution display 5 in. See the Garmin Montana i. Unlike the Mini above, the Explorer is a real-deal GPS device, featuring a color display, on-screen navigation, and the added accuracy of a barometric altimeter and 3-axis compass. To top it off, it comes equipped with 24K maps of the U. Screen: 2 in. Battery life: 48 hours What we like: Great battery life and hands-free convenience.

Battery life is impressive at 48 hours in navigation mode, and the is as tough as ever with military-grade construction. Taken together, the Foretrex is all of the bones of a handheld unit but none of the bulk, and a highly functional tool for the right user. Where does the Foretrex fall short? Instead, you have to use the old-fashioned breadcrumb trail and 3-axis compass for navigation. See the Garmin Foretrex Weight: 5.

The eXplorist does everything a basic GPS should: create and follow routes, mark waypoints and show your trip progress with tracks. Geocache-ready, the eXplorist comes with a decent base map that includes roads and some geographic features. A summary page details your exploits, with key bits like how long it took you to uncover each cache.

What pushes the eXplorist towards the bottom of our rankings? The line is getting long in the tooth, which means the satellite lock can take a while, their software is not as well-established as Garmin, and navigating between menus can be clunky. See the Magellan eXplorist As with smartphones, touchscreens are becoming more prevalent in the handheld GPS market.

These devices are intuitive, easy to navigate or type with, and work in both landscape and portrait orientations.

Further, using a touchscreen can be a pain with gloves—despite technologies that make some gloves work decently well.