Imagine embarking on an adventure in the wilderness, surrounded by nature’s captivating beauty and unknown territories. Now picture yourself equipped with the perfect GPS device, guiding you through uncharted terrain with ease and precision. In this article, we explore the best GPS devices specifically designed for wilderness navigation, ensuring you never lose your way and allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the wonders of the great outdoors. Whether you’re an avid hiker or an intrepid explorer, these GPS devices will become your trusted companions, ensuring a safe and unforgettable journey off the beaten path.
Garmin Montana 700
Large touchscreen display
The Garmin Montana 700 is a top-of-the-line GPS device that excels in providing a user-friendly navigation experience. One of its standout features is its large touchscreen display, which measures at a generous size to ensure optimal visibility. With this spacious display, you can easily view maps, track your progress, and access various functions with just a simple touch.
Highly accurate GPS
When it comes to wilderness navigation, accuracy is paramount. The Garmin Montana 700 boasts a highly accurate GPS system that ensures precise positioning, even in challenging environments with limited satellite coverage. Whether you’re hiking through dense forests, trekking across rugged mountain terrains, or exploring remote areas, you can rely on this GPS device to provide accurate location information.
Multiple navigation functions
Another reason why the Garmin Montana 700 is a top choice for wilderness navigation is its wide range of navigation functions. This device offers a multitude of features designed to enhance your outdoor experience, such as waypoint marking, track recording, and route planning. With these functions, you can easily mark important points of interest, keep track of your journey, and plan out routes to follow.
Garmin eTrex 30x
Rugged and durable design
The Garmin eTrex 30x is a GPS device that is built to withstand the toughest outdoor conditions. Its rugged and durable design ensures that it can handle the bumps, drops, and splashes that come with wilderness exploration. Whether you’re hiking in heavy rain, dealing with extreme temperatures, or traversing rocky terrains, you can trust that this GPS device will continue to perform reliably.
Preloaded TopoActive maps
One of the standout features of the Garmin eTrex 30x is its preloaded TopoActive maps. These detailed maps provide a comprehensive overview of the terrain, allowing you to navigate with confidence. Whether you’re following a trail, venturing off the beaten path, or exploring new areas, the preloaded maps on the eTrex 30x will help ensure that you stay on the right track.
Advanced geocaching features
For those who enjoy the thrill of geocaching, the Garmin eTrex 30x offers advanced geocaching features that enhance the experience. This GPS device allows you to download geocache locations and information, so you can embark on exciting treasure hunts wherever you go. With the eTrex 30x, you can immerse yourself in the world of geocaching and add an extra layer of adventure to your wilderness explorations.
Garmin GPSMAP 64st
2.6-inch sunlight-readable color display
The Garmin GPSMAP 64st is equipped with a 2.6-inch sunlight-readable color display, making it easy to read and navigate even in bright outdoor conditions. This feature ensures that you can always view your maps, waypoints, and other important information without any glare or visibility issues. Whether you’re hiking under a scorching sun or exploring during the golden hour, the GPSMAP 64st display will provide the clarity you need.
High-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver
When it comes to accurate and reliable positioning, the Garmin GPSMAP 64st delivers exceptional performance. It is equipped with a high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver, allowing it to quickly and accurately pinpoint your location. This combination of GPS and GLONASS technologies ensures that you have reliable navigation data, even in challenging environments with limited satellite visibility.
Preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps
The Garmin GPSMAP 64st comes preloaded with TOPO U.S. 100K maps, providing detailed coverage of the United States. These maps include important information such as topographic contours, trails, rivers, lakes, and more. With these maps, you can confidently navigate through various terrains, plan your routes, and explore the wilderness with ease.
Magellan eXplorist 310
3-inch color display
The Magellan eXplorist 310 features a 3-inch color display, allowing you to view maps and navigation information with clarity. This display size strikes a balance between being compact enough for easy portability and large enough to provide a clear overview of your surroundings. Whether you’re scanning through maps, tracking your progress, or reviewing waypoints, you can count on the eXplorist 310’s display to deliver a pleasant viewing experience.
Paperless geocaching
Geocaching enthusiasts will appreciate the paperless geocaching feature of the Magellan eXplorist 310. This GPS device allows you to download geocache locations and details directly onto the device, eliminating the need for paper printouts. With the eXplorist 310, you can easily access information about geocaches, track your finds, and engage in this thrilling outdoor treasure hunt.
Suspend mode to save battery life
In the wilderness, conserving battery life is crucial, and the Magellan eXplorist 310 offers a feature that helps with this. The device has a suspend mode, which allows you to temporarily pause it without losing your progress. By activating this mode during breaks or when you’re not actively navigating, you can extend the battery life of the eXplorist 310 and ensure that it lasts throughout your outdoor adventures.
Satmap Active 20
Large high-resolution screen
The Satmap Active 20 boasts a large high-resolution screen that enhances your navigation experience. With its ample size and exceptional image quality, this display provides clear and detailed maps, making it easier to interpret your surroundings. Whether you’re reading topographic features, planning your route, or analyzing track logs, the Active 20’s screen ensures that you can do so with ease and accuracy.
Loaded with Great Britain Ordnance Survey mapping
For those exploring the wilderness in Great Britain, the Satmap Active 20 is an ideal choice. This GPS device is loaded with Great Britain Ordnance Survey mapping, providing comprehensive coverage of the country’s topographic features. From mountains and hills to rivers and trails, these maps offer a wealth of information to help you navigate through the beautiful landscapes of Great Britain.
Advanced route planning and tracking
The Satmap Active 20 offers advanced route planning and tracking capabilities, allowing you to optimize your outdoor adventures. With this GPS device, you can plan routes beforehand, customize them to suit your preferences, and navigate them with ease. Additionally, the Active 20 tracks your progress in real-time, providing valuable data and insights that can enhance your overall experience and safety.
Garmin inReach Explorer+
Built-in GPS for navigation
The Garmin inReach Explorer+ combines the functionalities of a GPS device and satellite communicator, making it a versatile tool for wilderness navigation. With its built-in GPS, you can navigate through various terrains with confidence, knowing that you have accurate positioning information at your fingertips. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or embarking on an adventure, the inReach Explorer+ has you covered.
Two-way satellite messaging
One of the standout features of the Garmin inReach Explorer+ is its two-way satellite messaging capability. This allows you to stay connected with friends, family, and emergency services even in areas with no cellular coverage. With the inReach Explorer+, you can send and receive messages, share your location, and request assistance if needed, providing peace of mind and ensuring that help is always within reach.
Interactive SOS for emergency situations
In emergency situations, the Garmin inReach Explorer+ offers an interactive SOS function that can be a lifesaver. With just a push of a button, you can send a distress signal to the GEOS 24/7 emergency response team. This feature allows you to communicate critical information about your situation and facilitates prompt and efficient rescue operations. With the inReach Explorer+, you can explore the wilderness with confidence, knowing that help is just a SOS button away.
Suunto Traverse Alpha
GPS and GLONASS for accurate tracking
The Suunto Traverse Alpha is equipped with GPS and GLONASS technology, ensuring accurate tracking of your location and movements. Whether you’re navigating through dense forests, trekking across open fields, or exploring challenging terrains, this GPS device provides reliable positioning data to help you stay on course. With the Traverse Alpha, you can navigate with precision and confidence.
Specific hunting and fishing features
Designed with outdoor enthusiasts in mind, the Suunto Traverse Alpha offers specific hunting and fishing features that cater to these activities. The device includes features such as moon phases, sunrise/sunset times, and shot detection, which are invaluable for hunters and anglers. These features help optimize your hunting and fishing experiences, providing key information and insights that can enhance your success.
Rugged and water-resistant construction
When exploring the wilderness, your GPS device should be able to withstand the elements, and the Suunto Traverse Alpha delivers on this front. It is built with a rugged and water-resistant construction, ensuring that it can handle rough treatment and adverse weather conditions. Whether you’re hiking in heavy rain, wading through shallow streams, or encountering challenging environments, the Traverse Alpha remains durable and keeps working reliably.
Delorme Earthmate PN-60
Extensive mapping capabilities
The Delorme Earthmate PN-60 offers extensive mapping capabilities that make it a powerful tool for wilderness navigation. This GPS device allows you to view detailed maps that encompass a wide range of topographic features, trails, roads, and points of interest. Whether you’re exploring national parks, embarking on backcountry adventures, or planning off-road trips, the PN-60’s mapping capabilities have got you covered.
Digital compass and barometric altimeter
In addition to its mapping features, the Delorme Earthmate PN-60 includes a digital compass and barometric altimeter. The digital compass provides precise directional information, allowing you to orient yourself and navigate accurately. The barometric altimeter, on the other hand, allows you to track changes in altitude and monitor weather conditions. With these additional tools, the PN-60 enhances your overall navigation experience and provides valuable insights about your surroundings.
Satellite imagery and weather updates
The Delorme Earthmate PN-60 offers the unique feature of satellite imagery, providing you with a visual representation of the terrain you’re navigating. This is particularly useful when exploring unfamiliar areas or when you need to assess the landscape for potential obstacles or hazards. Additionally, the PN-60 can receive weather updates, keeping you informed about changing weather conditions and allowing you to adapt your plans accordingly.
Lowrance HOOK2 4x
High-resolution SolarMAX display
The Lowrance HOOK2 4x features a high-resolution SolarMAX display that delivers crisp and clear visuals. This display technology ensures that you can easily read maps, charts, and other important information, even in bright outdoor conditions. Whether you’re navigating on open waters, exploring rivers, or fishing in sunny conditions, the HOOK2 4x display provides excellent visibility and enhances your overall navigation experience.
Broadband Sounder for detailed underwater views
For those who enjoy exploring underwater environments or engaging in fishing activities, the Lowrance HOOK2 4x offers a Broadband Sounder feature. This feature provides detailed and clear views of the underwater terrain and structures, allowing you to identify fish, locate hotspots, and make informed decisions while fishing. With this feature, you can take your aquatic adventures to the next level and improve your fishing success.
GPS plotter for navigation
The Lowrance HOOK2 4x includes a GPS plotter, which adds navigational capabilities to the device. With the built-in GPS, you can mark waypoints, create routes, and navigate with confidence. Whether you’re exploring vast bodies of water, following specific routes, or returning to favorite fishing spots, the GPS plotter feature of the HOOK2 4x provides the necessary tools to ensure accurate and efficient navigation.
Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR
Compact and portable design
Designed for maximum portability, the Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR offers a compact and lightweight design that is perfect for wilderness navigation. This GPS device easily fits in your pocket, backpack, or clipped onto your gear, ensuring that it’s always within reach whenever you need it. Whether you’re hiking, camping, or venturing into the wild, the D-TOUR won’t weigh you down and adds convenience to your outdoor adventures.
Track, log, and share routes
The Bushnell BackTrack D-TOUR allows you to track, log, and share your routes, making it easy to keep a record of your outdoor exploits. With this GPS device, you can track your progress, record your adventures, and review your routes later for future reference. Additionally, you can share your routes with friends, family, or fellow outdoor enthusiasts, allowing them to follow in your footsteps or offer recommendations.
Digital compass and latitude/longitude display
The BackTrack D-TOUR includes a digital compass and latitude/longitude display, providing essential navigation information at a glance. The digital compass helps you navigate with ease and accuracy, while the latitude/longitude display allows you to determine your precise location coordinates. With these features, the D-TOUR enhances your navigation capabilities and ensures that you never lose your way in the wilderness.
In conclusion, there is a wide range of GPS devices available for wilderness navigation, each with its own set of features and functionalities. Whether you prioritize a large touchscreen display, highly accurate GPS, advanced navigation functions, rugged design, preloaded maps, specific outdoor features, or compact portability, there is a GPS device to suit your needs. Consider your requirements and preferences, and choose the GPS device that will enhance your wilderness navigation experience and ensure your safety and enjoyment in the great outdoors.