Which gps is better

To test these devices, we put together an all-star crew of outdoor adventurers. These lead testers — plus scores of friends and partners — took to testing these GPS units in real-world situations. From mountaineering in Alaska to ski touring in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado to winding through the canyon country of the Southwest, our testers used these GPS units in whiteouts, in slot canyons, and while temporarily stranded by flash floods to bring you insight into each device, pulled from real adventure epics.

Our rigorous assessment process combined time in the field with objective testing, where we evaluated everything from reception accuracy to memory capability to size and weight. We compiled research, closely examined features and ease of use, and noted when some devices shine and when others completely failed.

We utilized the expertise of our science-minded, adventure-obsessed testing crew so that we can provide the most accurate, objective reviews available on the internet. We tested these handheld GPS devices over the course of years — hiking, skiing, mountaineering, canyoneering, kayaking, mountain biking, mapping plant populations, and more. We have marked and navigated to waypoints, compared map drawing speed, and tested the compasses of each unit against a trusty old, magnetic standby. More than a dozen people — who range from GPS experts to complete novices — used these units to provide diverse feedback and bring you a review of some of the best handheld GPS units on the market.

We rated our selection of handheld GPS units on six scoring metrics: reception, ease of use, display quality, speed, weight and size, and versatility. It is important to note that these are some of the best and most popular options available on the market; while scores may vary, the numbers are based on how well each device compared to the competition.

Some of these qualities are undeniably more important than others, namely reception and ease of use. Without the accuracy of a satellite and the efficiency of a GPS, you might as well be using a map and compass. Often it's used to refer to devices in this case, handheld — that can track and store timing and positional data.

While this is a major misconception, they're often intended to be used in conjunction with a traditional map and compass. They are designed to be resistant to water, shock, and thermal stress, and any other harsh conditions you'd typically run into out in the wilderness. High-performing devices come with extras like cameras and topo maps and better antennas, more memory, altimeters, or internal electronic compasses.

More baseline models tend to be lighter and simpler and can often boast better battery life. Before buying your next GPS, consider if you need one, what you intend to use it for, and how much you're willing to spend. It is important to consider your specific needs before purchasing, as these units often carry a hefty price tag. The price of a handheld GPS tends to be tied directly to its performance, features, and amount of memory storage.

The Garmin GPSMAP 66st has every feature you may ever need — with more memory than you possibly could ever need — but it's near the top of the price spectrum. Alternatively, our most price-point model, the Garmin eTrex 10 , carries only the bare essentials for tracking.

Alternatively, most people these days have smartphones with GPS capabilities and inexpensive apps that offer topo maps and tracking functions. Although this combination isn't as accurate as a real deal GPS unit, they are good enough for many folks. So, who needs a handheld GPS? Those who love to hike off the main trail, serial bushwhackers, backcountry skiers, and climbers who frequently descend on unfamiliar and poorly marked trails.

Adventurers of this breed will benefit the most from a GPS, which can pinpoint their exact location and allow them to re-orient themselves on a map and find the way home.

A GPS is also helpful in bad weather conditions heavy rain, snow, or fog , hiking on a dark cloudy, or moonless night, or when traveling over snow-covered terrain when the ordinary trail is buried, and the tracks of those who came before you may be unreliable they might be just as lost as you — believe us, we've been there.

Still, in situations where they do work, smartphone apps like Gaia, Avenza, or Topo Maps are great and can quickly identify your location on established trails before resuming map navigation.

Smartphone GPS works best if you are in a region where cell signal is available, but it may become unreliable when you get into the backcountry. Just don't forget to download maps before leaving cell or WiFi signals behind. A touchscreen model with automatic routing — like the Garmin Montana — is a great option that can double as both a driving GPS and for off-road travel.

In contrast to smartphones, handheld GPS units are burlier, with much better GPS satellite reception, more powerful navigation features, and supply better battery life in cold climates.

A few questions will help narrow your search for the perfect handheld. After you figure that out, you can start thinking about all the bells and whistles — i. Most modern GPS units are incredibly accurate and can pinpoint the device's location to a resolution of meters. All the devices we tested use WAAS. Modern smartphones, in contrast, offer GPS accuracy of around 4.

Tall buildings, canyons, and trees can interrupt satellite signals, slowing them down and reducing your device's accuracy.

Clouds and weather, however, shouldn't affect reception. To get the best signal with the satellites, it's best to carry your device outside your pack or in a light waterproof layer. We found that the highest performing — but unfortunately, also often the most expensive — models tend to achieve the best satellite reception. Electronic compasses — as opposed to a mechanical, differential compass — also improve accuracy when on the move and are included in expensive units like the Montana , but surprisingly in more affordable units like the eTrex 32x.

Even without these additions, however, all of the Garmin units we tested provided quality reception. GPS units usually come with a very rudimentary basic base map that distinguishes roads but not much else. As we mentioned above, you can buy a GPS unit preloaded with topo maps or buy them separately after the fact. You can also download maps and satellite imagery for free and transfer them to your unit.

The United States Geological Survey offers a wealth of free spatial data. Most states in the US also have a website that distributes spatial data. If you want the best maps, often for free, spend some time tinkering with this data. If you want more convenient, straightforward map access, you can get them for around a hundred bucks from your GPS manufacturer.

You can also buy satellite imagery. Often this is unnecessary because you can plan your routes in Google Earth and then send files to your mapping software and device.

Satellite imagery is hard to see on most GPS units and is rarely necessary for the backcountry. Each GPS manufacture offers software designed to organize, analyze, and display the waypoints and tracks you collect with your GPS. Garmin's Basecamp is our favorite. It's simple, intuitive, cross-platform, and provides everything a basic GPS user needs.

For example, you can easily see waypoints or tracks in Google Earth. It is also an essential feature on really basic models like the eTrex 10 , which due to its lack of mapping capability, would otherwise be rendered useless. Do you want a compact version like an eTrex 32x , or are you willing to haul extra weight — like the Montana — for perks like a larger screen? Is a big GPS screen more important because you would like to be able to quickly see information at a glance while driving?

Or are you willing to squint for a more portable unit? After connecting to wifi, you can use various maps perfectly and browse the web online. You can go anywhere without getting lost and adding a joy to the tedious journey! The reversing line is displayed on the player, which can help you safely park in reverse gear.

Car stereo receiver supports FM with 18 preset stations, which can search channels in full-automatic ways. Forbes Wheels tested five leading portable GPS devices. New Cars For Sale. Used Cars For Sale. Sports Cars. Used Cars. Vehicle Care. Ford Edge vs Ford Escape. Toyota Highlander vs Toyota 4Runner. Kia Telluride vs Hyundai Palisade. Honda Pilot vs Toyota Highlander.

Toyota Camry vs Honda Accord. Toyota Avalon vs Toyota Camry. Toyota Tundra vs Ford F Ford F vs Chevrolet Silverado Back To Forbes. Wheels Accessories.

Rik Paul. Updated: Feb 28, Forbes Wheels independently tests and reviews cars and automotive accessories. We may earn an affiliate commission from links on our site. The analysis and opinions are our own. Read More. Read Less. Any of these five tested models provide Getting a read on barometric pressure is helpful in determining elevation because the higher you go, the lower the pressure.

That said, a barometric altimeter remains the best option for mountainous and backcountry use and can provide a helpful approximation of your current elevation. In most cases, dimensions and weight correspond with screen size. The smallest and lightest handheld options on our list, the Garmin eTrex 22x and Magellan eXplorist , have equally small 2. Those that opt for high-end devices like the Montana are not typically carrying them in their hand or hiking with a pack, instead placing them on a handlebar mount for ATVing or snowmobiling.

Smartphones have been eroding the handheld GPS market for years. And the reasons are fairly obvious: most hikers and backcountry explorers already have their phones along for capturing photos or referencing route information, and the simplicity of keeping everything on one device is a big plus. In addition, prior concerns with durability have been partially addressed with burlier carrying cases and increased water and drop protection.

In terms of mapping and accuracy, handheld devices have the upper hand with greater compatibility with a wider array of satellite systems smartphones use cell towers and GPS , which can be valuable in deep backcountry areas with challenging coverage.

That said, most hikers, backpackers, and climbers will be happy with the performance of a smartphone, and there are a number of quality mapping apps available for free or a small charge. The main hang-up with going the smartphone route, however, is battery life.

As things currently stand, this is the main reason to opt for a handheld GPS over a smartphone. Like a standard GPS device, these watches allow you to find your location on preloaded maps, upload and follow. At best, you get most of the features of a handheld GPS device packed into a streamlined wrist watch. But while the technology is impressive, we have a hard time recommending a GPS watch as a full-blown substitute for a GPS device.

But for those who value the streamlined package and only use GPS occasionally, a high-end GPS watch other options include the Coros Vertix and Garmin Forerunner is certainly an intriguing option. Photo Credit. Switchback Travel. See the Garmin Oregon Best of the Rest 5. See the Garmin Montana i 7. See the Garmin Foretrex 9. Buttons As with smartphones, touchscreens are becoming more prevalent in the handheld GPS market.

A standard smartphone connects only to GPS and not other GNSS networks Mapping and Memory All handheld devices come with some form of basemap—essentially a blank screen that will include some major local features—while many include additional preloaded maps or the option to upload more later on.

Dimensions and Weight In most cases, dimensions and weight correspond with screen size. Powered by Drupal. Learn More About Outdoor Gear. We take a great deal of pride in researching, testing, and presenting the best gear on the market across a wide range of activities like hiking, camping, skiing Despite their diminutive size, GPS watches can really pack a punch.

These modern timepieces put the power of a GPS device onto your wrist, allowing you to track your movements, follow a preloaded route, or even navigate complex terrain—hands-free For organizing a pick up, initiating a rescue, or just checking in, a satellite messenger has become our go-to means of staying Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down.

The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots Serious hikers have known the great benefits of trekking poles for decades. Please see our GPS buying guide for more information. Sign in or Become a Member. GPS Ratings. Group Created with Sketch. For our ratings we factor heavily the qualities that make it easy to input destinations and give the most helpful directions.

Our recommendations break out the best-performing models overall, and those that perform core navigation chores well and do so at an attractive price. All Ratings.