Best Handheld GPS Device For Hiking Geocaching Backpacking Driving Wristband

It’s very important that you always have a personal backpacking checklist where you list all those gears needed for your next wilderness adventure, this way you will always pack with efficiency in mind, arranging everything to get at it easily while balancing and carrying the load on your back during the wilderness trail.

If you want the best experience outdoors, you want a tracking device very easy to use, in particular screen type and button configuration. You have two choices here, you can go with a touchscreen, which is faster for entering text or opt for a normal screen with push buttons, tends to be easier to use and more reliable on extreme conditions.

One of the recommendations I saw online was for the Garmin GPS which testers said it was one of the most precise and easy to read. Other feature testers said was good talking specifically about the Garmin 62 series is the ability of customization of a set of programs for quick access to the functions you use the most, of course this lend itself to much easier and faster operation than others rotating through fixed menus, which makes it one of the best garmin gps for hiking.

So quality and an efficient design of buttons is another factor for ease of use, It’s highly recommended a large touchscreen, big keyboard, and a programmable home page especially those people who need to enter lots of text during the adventure. So even though you are used to touchscreens of smartphones, you want actual buttons on a handheld GPS unit, touchscreen are not reliable, even when the manufacturer says it’s waterproof.

You need a device that works in any conditions. The best sophisticated GPS equipment can also come with weather update integration, this way you will always be well informed in order to make decisions the most wise decisions beforehand. You don’t want to be stuck under a powerful but with the help of the right GPS you could be informed and can avoid it at all cost.

One of the main benefits of using a portable gps device is you can go outside your natural comfort zone because you will feel more confident because all that valuable information about weather and where to go. The use of these valuable positioning devices has revolutionized our outdoor activities in the world, because people are going to areas which were off-limits just a few years ago.

For hiking, having the right equipment is very important, when going out for a day hike your backpack should really have enough for 2-3 days, as you may know, it's better to have a little more than you need than finding you didn’t have enough. t: Many GPS devices are meanwhile capable of sending distress signals if you or your group ran into problems, thus making your trip even safer.

Handheld GPS devices are an invaluable item for backpackers and hikers, it’s a convenient navigation tool that could mean life or death under extreme situations, so you need a sturdy, reliable and waterproof GPS all the time. Of course you should not forget other crucial items like First Aid Kit, Flashlights Gloves, Water, Binoculars, Knives, Foldable Shovel, and of course batteries for your GPS (we list some portable Solar Chargers, they are amazing).

Having a few good quality tools can make all the difference in helping you survive an unexpected situation. Also you should be fit and prepared for the adventure too. Each outdoor activity will offer you the thrill of adventure out in the open far from the mess of our modern lives, for these outdoor adventures you need a robust and reliable GPS that helps you to decide which direction you should go.

Since hiking, geocaching and backpacking are so popular, the market offer so many different types of GPS devices, for that reason this page was created for helping you to determine which one is right for you as the best handheld gps for hiking, there are other devices like watches and Wristband hiking gps. So I really hope that this issue has answered your question regarding what is the best gps for hiking.

Once revolutionary, GPS technology is in everything from drones to dog collars now. Nonetheless, the handheld GPS receiver remains a valuable outdoor tool for hikers and other backcountry explorers. GPS can give you vital information about where you are, where you've been and where you want to go.

Innovation in phone technology is rapidly mimicking traditional GPS handhelds. A dedicated outdoor GPS unit, though, offers key advantages:

Much more rugged and water resistant

Field-replaceable batteries

Superior satellite reception in remote places

Robust features developed specifically for outdoor use

Do not buy a GPS receiver with the idea of ditching your map and compass. Finding your way out of the wilds is not something you can trust only to battery-operated electronics. To learn about those classic navigational essentials, read How to Use Compass and How to Use Topo Map.

If you find exhaustive lists of GPS specs and features to be a little daunting, you can simplify your decision by considering three key areas:

1. Size of unit vs. size of screen. As screen size increases, so does the size and weight of a unit. Deciding where you are on the low-weight to large-screen spectrum is a good first step.

2. Interface preference: If you can’t imagine not having a touch screen, your choices narrow further. For winter activities consider a unit solely controlled by buttons because it’s easier to use while wearing gloves.

3. Advanced features: More expensive units offer features like a barometer, an electronic compass and wireless transmission. If these capabilities are important to you, that also narrows your final choices.

All handheld GPS models do basic navigation. What you pick—and pay—largely depends on which and how many of the following features a unit has:

Barometer/altimeter: While all GPS receivers can tell you altitude based on satellite data, a unit with the barometer/altimeter feature provides more accurate elevation readings by also considering barometric data. This feature also lets you gauge weather trends.

Electronic compass: All GPS receivers can tell you what direction you’re going while you’re moving. If you get a unit with an electronic compass, though, it will also tell you what direction you’re facing while you’re standing still. That’s a big convenience as it lets you orient yourself and plan your route at any rest stop.

Wireless data transfer: This allows your GPS to communicate with compatible (same-brand) GPS units. It provides a quick and easy way to share data like tracks, waypoints and routes with others.

Preloaded maps: All GPS units come with a simple base map. Some units also include full-fledged topo maps. Most units also accept separately purchased topo maps that are downloaded or provided on a CD or a microSD card. You can manage all your maps and plan trips by connecting to your PC or Mac, then using the program that the maker of your GPS unit provides.

Third-party maps and software: Because maps from GPS makers can be pricey, you can search online and find an ever-changing array of sites that have inexpensive (or free) maps. If you aren’t a tech wiz or prefer guaranteed products, then stick with maps and software from your GPS manufacturer.

Memory and waypoint totals: The more you have, the more map and navigation data you can store. In addition, most units also let you expand your memory, usually via a microSD card.Unless you're doing a thru-hike, almost any unit you get will have enough internal memory (and waypoint capacity) to store detailed maps and key location data for a single trip. And it's easy to delete unneeded maps and waypoints as you go to free up memory for another trip or another section of a thru-hike.

Geocaching features: Many units have geocaching functions that allow for paperless geocaching and managing your found caches. (Note: You don’t need to buy a GPS receiver to try geocaching; phone apps work fine for that. If you’re already a geocacher and want a GPS unit for backcountry navigation, then geocaching features are handy to have.)

Digital camera: Offering comparable quality to a basic phone camera, it can also geotag photos so you can see where on the map you snapped each shot.

Two-way radio: Allows unit-to-unit calls so you can communicate with nearby friends in the backcountry and identify where other members of your group are; you can also receive NOAA weather-radio forecasts. Radio-equipped GPS units are especially useful for search-and-rescue teams.