GPS for hikers
When selecting a GPS for hiking, two key criteria come to mind. It’s likely that a hiker will want a unit that’s good for navigation, and they will not want to have to hold it out at arm’s length for the entire hike, which means that…
Reception is important for hikers
I recommend a unit that will get great satellite reception, so I’m going to limit my recommendations to models with a high sensitivity chipset, such as the SiRFstar III or MediaTek chipset. With these receivers, you can stick them in your pocket, or a mesh pocket on a day pack, and you are still likely to have adequate reception. Some of this is dependent upon how the satellite constellation is configured for your location on any given day, but overall, I think you’ll be happy with the performance of these units.
Navigation and maps
The other important thing is getting a receiver that is set up to navigate. Not all GPS receivers can accommodate topo maps. If you’re content with a receiver that won’t let you add detailed maps, check out the Garmin eTrex H. Otherwise, stick with the ones below.
Be aware though — none of these units come with any kind of detailed map. Fortunately, there are free topo maps for most states for Garmin units. One other note before we get into the recommendations — you may also find it helpful to check out my Garmin handheld GPS comparison chart.
Budget GPS for hiking
The eTrex Venture HC (pictured) has a sunlight-readable color screen, and the ability to accept detailed topo maps. The retail price is $200, but I typically see the Venture HC discounted to the $115 to $130 range.
Mid-range GPS for hiking
I’m going to recommend the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx as a mid-range unit. Stepping up to the Legend HCx you get expandable map memory, plus it supports turn-by-turn routing, making it useful for city navigation in your car as well. You’ll need a mount, City Navigator software, and preferably a power cord, but then you’re set up for turn-by-turn routing. The retail price is $269.99, but as of this posting the Legend HCx can be found for around $180.
The top of the line GPS for hikers
There are several units to consider here; each has a barometric altimeter and tri-axial electronic compass:
One of the newest Garmins, the Oregon 550t, combines a high resolution, touch screen interface with pre-loaded topo maps of the entire U.S. It also has a built-in 3.2 MP geotagging camera. As a new unit, the price is still pretty high — right around $520 as of this update. The Oregon 450 costs quite a bit less, and is well worth considering./p>
Another recent introduction, the Delorme PN-40 can accommodate aerial imagery and real USGS topos. It has a smaller screen than the Oregon (albeit more legible in most daylight conditions) and comes with powerful but complex software. At the time of this posting, it was available for around $300.
Finally, the brand new Garmin Dakota 20 is a smaller version of the Oregon. Once its been on the market for awhile, it should start to show up at a discounted and very attractive price.
Related posts
The new Oregon units are pretty sweet and as much as I like my 60Csx, I find that touch screen interface pretty handy. My main gripe against the 450t and the 550t is that preloaded 1:100k scale map. It doesn’t really give enough detail to someone looking to do extended backcountry travel.
I think using the Garmin software is a better idea because (1 a user can put only whatever the maps needed on the GPS; (2 route planning a lot easier on the computer than on the GPS itself and (3 it enables the user to print out a map with the waypoints accurately plotted. Granted, it’s not as convenient as just using the preloaded maps or slipping that little chip into its slot but I feel sometimes convenience is a little overrated.
I am looking for a unit that will show me waterfalls to photograph!
Some units with maps loaded will allow you to do this. On my Garmin Oregon 400t, I can do Where To? > Geographic Points > Water Features and then enter FALL as a search term and have them show up. A better approach might be to get a database of coordinates for waterfalls and create a custom Points of Interest (POI) file to load to the unit.
Dear Rich,
Thank you for that informatve & quick reply. I am presently home nursing a broken wrist sustained from my last hiking adventure up a mountain to photograph a waterfall. Jerry Reinlieb
Wow that’s a load of Info!
I was planning to buy my first GPS watch mainly for trekking in jungles
Budget under $300
How intutive/important is the waypoint marker in real world use and how does it work?
Secondly, I believe the Garmin FR110 cannot mark waypoints but the 405 can. But it has the SirfStar IV chipset while the 405 has the older III version.
How quicker/more accurate is the IV over the III??
Thanks in Advance,
Rahul
The Forerunner series is for runners and other folks interested in fitness metrics. It is not a good navigation device. I would urge you to get a real handheld GPS designed for hiking and not a fitness model. Having said that, the Forerunner 305 has some rudimentary navigation features. The 405 has less and I think the 110 has none.
More info on waypoints here…
http://gpstracklog.com/2010/02/handheld-gps-101-waypoints.html
I have yet to test a device with the SiRFstar IV chip.
Dear Rich thanks for the info!
That hurts! i wanted something that i could wear everyday as well.
Your 101 Handheld GPS series is simply awesome!!
Anyway, what’s your suggestion for the best handheld device under $200?
Considering Accuracy, Build quality, Waterproofness, Easy of use, Battery type/life (preferably primaries – AA/AAA) in that order.
Here in India, getting topographical maps is not easy!
Do suggest something that – can create/locate its own maps?
Thanks in advance,
Rahul
The Garmin 60CSx has been seen for that price recently.
I’m not sure what you mean by create / locate its own maps. There is a free one for central India at http://mapcenter.cgpsmapper.com/maplist.php?cnt=102&rgn=&cat=4. You can make your own with a little patience and some computer skills.
Thanks a lot Rich!!
I’ll be walking about three months on both sides of the Pyrenees next year and want to carry a device of some kind that can be loaded with my own route marked Google Maps AND powered or recharged with the appropriate solar panel.
I need the device to work in US AND Europe for all features. The environment will be cold early on and quite hot towards the end. I would like to be able to keep a charge on the device while walking and believe I might be able to do this using a flexible solar panel hooked up to the device’s holster.
ANY and all suggestions with respect to devices, solar panels for recharging, where to find specs that address panel/device compatibility, battery suggestions and thoughts on whether I’d be better off with something other than a GPS (!) will be most welcome! Weight matters,too!
Sorry, but I don’t have any experience with solar chargers. To get Google Maps you would need a smartphone rather than a GPS, but battery life and cell reception will likely be problematic.