Best Handheld GPS

GPS Devices

Best Handheld GPS

Handheld GPS is a fundamental unit for anyone who is going hiking, or just travelling in general. You need a good navigator to make sure that you do not lose your way and ruin all the fun. Handheld GPS units are digital navigators that can serve multiple purposes.

There are all kinds of units available on the market, based on the features you require. If you are a beginner, it’s best to start with something simpler, which are also generally cheaper.

Here is a list of three different kinds of handheld GPS units that are best in their category.

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handled GPS Navigator

Garmin is among the leading brands when it comes to manufacturing GPS trackers. The company is popular for its line of handheld navigators that offer fast positioning as well as reliable signal, and eTrex 10 is along the same lines in terms of quality. The device is waterproof and has been certified with IPX7 standards. It is powered with two AA batteries and can be used for up to 20 hours.

There are four different editions available to Garmin eTrex model of trackers. The base model is the cheapest version, with other editions equipped with additional features; Geocaching Bundle, Color Display and Expandable Memory, Barometer Altimeter 3-Axis Compass. Prices will vary.

Pros

  • The rugged handheld navigator has been preloaded with a worldwide base map, and the 2.2-inch monochrome display makes GPS tracking easier.
  • The device comes with support for paperless geocaching and Garmin spine-mounting accessories.
  • The device can be used worldwide and is not just limited to the USA, tested and proven.

Cons

  • This does not come with rechargeable batteries. Not everyone will prefer powering electronics with AA batteries anymore.
  • The device might seem tricky and complicated for most beginners, so, getting through the learning curve will be your biggest challenge.

Summary

The eTrex 10 does not disappoint in terms of both features and design. It features a quality display and having four different editions of the product available make it appealing for most folks looking for handheld GPS trackers. WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with HotFix and GLONASS support provides reliable and accurate signal. The product packs some exciting features and proves to be great value for its price.

Magellan GPS 300 2.2-Inch Portable GPS Navigator

The low cost handheld GPS receiver from Magellan is lightweight and has a rugged build with wraparound rubber making sure you get a secure grip on the device in any weather. Dedicated operation keys paired with 3 user-friendly navigation screens make sure the operation of the unit is hassle-free. It features supersensitive antenna for lock-on tracking.

The device is unbelievably cheap and pretty basic, but it will get the job done.

Pros

  • The batteries compartment is waterproof. The battery life holds well, and you can use either rechargeable or the AA batteries.
  • The product is quite durable regardless of its inexpensive price, and it sits right on your hand, regardless of the weather.
  • The handheld navigator can save up to 100 locations.

Cons

  • The device is not very intuitive when it comes to design.
  • The novelty is likely to wear off at certain areas. You will need to get a more expensive unit if you want something more accurate and reliable with good hardware.

Summary

Magellan GPS 300 is the cheapest handheld model you can find that offers as many quality features. The 2.2 inch screen is easy to navigate with the use of dedicated operation keys. It’s got a great battery life and with its capacity to save 100 different locations, you can be assured that you will never get lost.

Overall, it is fantastic value for money. Its simplicity will allow you to easily understand the GPS mechanism, especially if you are a beginner and have never tried a GPS navigator before.

Garmin Oregon 600 3-Inch Worldwide Handheld GPS

The last product on our list is Garmin Oregon 600. Despite belonging to the same company, unlike the first product on this list, Garmin Oregon 600 is a high end Handheld GPS navigator that is packed with high-end facilities. The unit features 3-inch multi-touch display screen which is also readable in broad daylight. It comes with dual-band GPS/GLONASS satellite positioning and features 3-axis compass, accelerometer, and barometric altimeter sensors.

The possibilities are endless with this handheld navigator and it is available with variety of packaging options. You can choose between four different memory sizes and equal number of styles. The prices will vary accordingly.

Pros

  • Different styles available for the product include units that come with built-in camera, topographic maps, or both.
  • The ANT or Bluetooth technology allows you to wirelessly share routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches, custom third party maps and photos between units.
  • The display screen can be viewed in landscape and portrait modes.

Cons

  • There have been few complaints about the device freezing automatically from time to time. Also, the processor is quite slow considering the price tag.

Summary

Overall, Oregon 600 is a quality product that offers variety of useful features such as Bluetooth, camera, dual orientation of the screen, dual battery system, and much more. The sensors are quite strong and reliable. Granted, there are a few cons that shouldn’t be there for such a high end device, but its accuracy, reliability, ability to store geocaches and use third-party maps make it worth the price.

Conclusion

Comparing the aforementioned products, Garmin eTrex 10 is the best GPS navigator. The device is priced right and has been equipped with plenty of useful features. It manages to beat the other two in terms of quality of features and value for money.

The Magellan navigator is among the cheapest product in its category, and won’t give you anything to complain about given the price. It just falls short when compared to the eTrex. Talking about the best features, Garmin Oregon 600 would undoubtedly be the most amazing product here. However, it is highly expensive compared to the other two, and it just doesn’t feel like it’s worth the price.

Do not take my word for it; feel free to make up your own mind once you have studied the whole review carefully. Make sure that the product you choose has more pros than cons and your informed decision is able to fulfill all your requirements.

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