If you are into hiking or you are a professional trekker, then you should definitely invest in a handheld GPS to make your explorations boundless. These devices help you keep track of the path you need to take and plan your treks better. Some features that you should definitely look for are the battery life, recharging options, display size, and the build quality of the device apart from the basic features. The size should be compact and easy to hold even when you are on the move. To help you get the right fit, we have narrowed four of the best handheld GPS devices that you can get on Amazon. Have a look at them and pick the one that suits your needs.
The Garmin Montana 680 is a touchscreen handheld GPS system that is ideal for professional trekking or hiking. The glove-friendly touchscreen allows you to operate the device even with your gloves on. It comes with a 3-axis compass, a barometric altimeter, which lets you navigate the directions with ease even if you are not holding the device at a level. It also has an 8MP camera that lets you document all the places you explore. A very cool feature of this device is that it automatically geotags each of your pictures, making it a good option for those who want to share them on social media. It comes with 24,000+ maps of different areas and you can add more to the list using GPS or GLONASS. Another really handy addition on this GPS device is the dual power options, and you can either use a rechargeable lithium-ion battery or 2 AA batteries.
Here is a GPS and GLONASS receiver from Garmin that comes with an IPX7 rating, making it waterproof so that you can use it even under challenging weather conditions. It comes with a 2.6-inch sunlight-readable display with a resolution of 160×240, which should be good enough for viewing maps. You can expand the device’s storage up to 8GB with the use of an external memory card. One of the best features of this device is that you can pair it with ANT+ sensors to monitor your heart rate, speed of walking and other useful data points. The gadget comes with a dual charging system, and you can either use two AA batteries or use a rechargeable NiMH battery that you can charge while it’s inside the device. It has a battery life of 16-hours as per company claims, which should be good enough for two days of trekking.
This waterproof hiking/trekking GPS device from Magellan is ideal for trekking through forests or terrains that receive unexpected rainfall. It has a 2.2-inch colour display that is good enough to read even under direct sunlight, according to the brand. The main menu is designed in a way to keep the navigation simple and easy. Additionally, the brand says you can expect next to no waiting time while uploading maps, giving you quick access to necessary information. In this device, you can see realistic looking shaded terrains to give you a better idea about the area. It has a power-saving mode, which lets you use it for close to 18 hours on the trot as per the claims by the company.
If you are looking for a multi-functional handheld GPS tracker, then this device from Sunroad is worth consideration. It has an IPX4 waterproof rating, which means it’s splash-proof. Apart from providing accurate GPS maps, it works as an altimeter, barometer, thermometer, hygrometer, compass and even as a flashlight. The 24-hour data on altitude, temperature, humidity and air pressure lets you plan your trek in advance. Knowing the altitude shift in advance while trekking always helps as it prepares you mentally and lets you take breaks before each altitude shift. The device has a functional design to make it easy for the user to hold it for longer periods of time. It runs on a rechargeable battery that you can charge using a USB cable.