Ultimate Review Of Best HandHeld GPS In 2023

Whether you are a hardcore hitchhiker or have active lifestyle in hunting, marine drives or even a mere mortal like me who uses GPS for day to day chores, A handheld GPS (Global Positioning System) is a boon in today s world. It not only makes travelling and hiking so much easier and safer by minimizing the chances of getting lost, it also helps you find the newest restaurant or ice-cream parlor at anytime of the day, without having to trouble people asking for directions. They are built to withstand all weather conditions and have many features which determine where you are, and have been.

There are different types of GPS units in the market with the high performing devices boasting of extra features while the low performing devices are simple in features. Handheld or portable GPS units are best to carry around with you wherever you go and can be used for any type of activity.

Quick Comparison & Our Pick!

The Best HandHeld GPS For The Money (Inc Buyers' Guide)

Garmin Vivoactive Black - Best Handheld GPS in 2019

This ultra-thin 8mm thick handheld Garmin vivoactive black bundle device has a built-in GPS with running, swimming, golfing, biking and activity tracking apps which you just have to tap to view your stats even without your phone.

It has a high-resolution, color, touch screen sunlight-readable display and can be paired with your Smartphone to vibrate and display alerts of incoming emails, text, calls, calendar items and even social media and other app notifications.

Its battery lasts for 3 weeks in watch/activity mode and 10 hours with GPS. Can be customized with free widgets, apps and watch face designs through the Connect IQ store. This Garmin handheld GPS unit has an added feature of pairing with a heart rate monitor chest strap which you can comfortably wear during fitness activities to monitor your heart rate.

Pros

• Ultra-thin GPS unit with high-resolution sunlight-readable display screen
• Built-in accelerometer and trackers tracks your steps while cycling app measures distance, speed, time and calories
• Download golf course maps from its 38,000 courses database by pairing with your Smartphone
• Keeps track of your golfing scores, shot distance and time on course.
• Swimming app gauges laps, calories, session, stroke count and session averages.
• The 5ATM water rating means you can wear the GPS while swimming and showering without any worries
• Keeps tracks of calories burnt throughout the day, even in sleep mode
• Helps you stay connected by receiving all notifications like emails, messages and social media notifications received on your compatible Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone
• Use free downloads from Connect IQ store to personalize your vivoactive device

Cons

• Not that great a swim watch as it overcounts number of laps
• Screen is rather dim; more like a colour LCD with a backlight button to push
• Counts steps even if you are driving in the car
• Complicated directions
• Doesn t give much information while sleeping like the kind of sleep you have
• Heart monitor not that well connected to the GPS; needs some improvement here.

Check Garmin Vivoactive HR GPS Price On Amazon

Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver

With your Garmin GPSMAP 64st TOPO U.S. 100K in hand, you know you can easily find your way around. Its 3-axis compass with barometric altimeter and high-sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver and quad helix antenna accurately defines your position even in heavy cover and amidst high buildings or canyons.

Reading maps and directions is a cinch with its 2.6 ? sunlight-readable color screen. With the unit s built-in worldwide base map and its 8GB internal memory and microSD card, downloading TOPO 24K and 100K maps to hit the trail is so easy. Transforming maps into paper and electronic maps can also be done for free with Garmin Custom Maps.

Use the device to enjoy geocaching with its 16-hour battery life and 250,000 preloaded paperless geocaches. Plan your next trip with the free trip planning software BaseCamp where you can view and organize routes, tracks maps and waypoints and share your Garmin Adventures with friends and family.

Pros

• Extra sensitive GPS and GLONASS receive with quad helix antenna
• Sunlight-readable color screen
• microSD card slot and 8GB internal memory
• built-in worldwide base map and preloaded TOPO U.S. 100K maps
• 250,000 preloaded paperless caches
• 1 year s free subscription of BirdsEye Satellite imagery for transferring unlimited satellite images
• Wireless connectivity with other Garmin compatible and Garmin portable GPS units through Bluetooth or ANT+
• Stay connected and receive email, texts and alerts from compatible iPhone 4s or later.

Cons

• Gives different moving and stopped time readings
• Cheap quality plastic body makes it feel like a toy
• Complicated menus
• Expensive supplementary 24 maps have no updates so new maps have to be bought once outdated

Check Garmin GPSMAP 64st Price On Amazon

DeLorme AG-008727-201 InReach Explorer Two Way Satellite Communicator with Built in Navigation

The DeLorme AG-008727-201 InReach Explorer is not just a portable GPS unit, but also a two-way satellite communicator during emergencies. You just have to send an SOS to their 24/7 search and rescue monitoring center and you receive a confirmation that help on the way. Also sends and receives 160 character text messages to global email addresses and cell numbers.

Plan and navigate your trip by creating waypoints and logging your trip so that you can easily find your way back and even share your route with family and friends to follow you, and track you. You can also access topographic maps and US NOAA charts on pairing with your mobile device.

Pros

• Equipped with a compass, accelerometer and barometric altimeter
• Can trigger and SOS with their 24/7 search and rescue monitoring centre in emergencies and wait for help.
• Plan routes before time with waypoints and share with friends and family to keep a tab on you
• Create routes to help you return home after your adventure trip
• Use the device to send and receive 160-character text messages with GPS coordinates to any cell number and email address worldwide
• Pair with your mobile device to download unlimited topographic maps and US NOAA charts
• Comes with digital compass, accelerometer and barometer

Cons

• There s no warning if there s no signal
• Can t manually check for messages from the portable GPS; has to be done from phone device
• Not that great a standalone GPS
• Unnecessary words describing location with messages confuses recipients
• Difficult suspending the service if not needed

Check DeLorme AG-008727-201 InReach Explorer Price On Amazon

Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS Navigator

The rugged Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide Handheld GPS navigator comes with enhanced capabilities. Its WAAS-enabled GPS receiver with GLONASS and HotFix support provides for quickly positioning reliable signals. The unit comes preloaded with a global base map and a 2.2 ? monochrome display screen.

The eTrex Garmin GPS handheld is safe against splashes and water as its waterproof to IPX7 standards. It runs on 2 AA batteries for a maximum 25 hours of usage. Fun for geocaching fans as it supports paperless geocaching and Garmin spine-mounting accessories.

Pros

• Simultaneously tracks both GPS and GLONASS satellites using its WAAS-enabled GPS receiver
• Preloaded with worldwide base map
• Safe against splashes and rain as it s waterproof to IPX7 standards
• Supports paperless geocaching and Garmin spine-mounting accessories
• Runs on 2 AA batteries for a maximum of 25 hours
• 2 ? monochrome display which is easily read in any light

Cons

• Base maps don t offer much detail so additional maps are needed
• Poor email support
• No refunds or exchanges for mapping products
• Some complain of poor accuracy as a portable GPS unit

Check Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide  Price On Amazon

Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Do you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors hiking and/or performing activities that require both hands? If you do and you also require a GPS device, then the Foretrex 401 GPS navigator is the perfect electronic compass for you. This GPS navigator is ideal for campers, skiers and even hikers due to its wide variety of features. This model from Garmin contains a slim electronic navigational system mounted on wrist wear that makes it very light on the hand. The GPS receiver is also highly sensitive. Other impressive features include a barometric altimeter as well as the ability to share data from the GPS to a computer or any other smart device wirelessly or through a USB.

Pros

• Highly Sensitive GPS System. The system is built with a HotFix (cumulative package of files) that boosts the performance of the GPS tremendously making it possible to receive signals with relative ease in deep canyons and areas with dense tree populations.
• Supports a heart rate monitor. A heart rate monitor add-on can be used together with the GPS for extra convenience.
• Dual position readout. This means the GPS system can support viewing of a location in multiple formats.
• Sunrise/Sunset. This Garmin Foretrex model has the ability to pin point the exact sunrise and sunset times depending on the location.
• TracBack feature. This enables users to easily retrace their steps by following a dotted trail on an LCD display.
• Stores route data. The Foretrex 401 stores route data to all the places the user visits making it easy to determine given locations in specific regions.

Cons

• The Garmin Foretrex 401 comes with a basic map requiring users to spend some money in order to have access to much better maps. The maps cost anywhere between $30 and $100$. Some maps only work in specific states in the U.S requiring users to make new purchases whenever they enter other states.

Check Garmin Foretrex 401 Price On Amazon

DeLorme inReach SE Satellite Tracker

The Bad Elf 2200 is a unique GPS device with the ability to share a user s location information with a maximum of 5 iOS devices paired through the use of Bluetooth technology. It is also very easy to use. It comes with a large LCD screen that enables the user to easily learn about his location, the power status of the GPS, Bluetooth connectivity and others. It is also among the extremely few GPS devices that can store comprehensive data from trips up to a whopping 100 hours! When you factor in a battery that can sustain logging operations for up to 16 hours when using Bluetooth and a whopping 35 hours without Bluetooth, you get a GPS device that is highly invaluable.

Pros

• Pairs with up to 5 devices The Bad Elf 2200 can now also be synced with the new iPad, iPad mini, the iPhone 5 and even the 5^th generation of the iPod touch.
• Large LCD screen. The large screen makes reading much easier. The screen also comes with a backlight to help the user navigate at night.
• 100 + hours of data logging The Bad Elf 2200 can store data for up to 100 hours. The data is usually stored in 1 second intervals. When needed, users can transfer the data to a smart device via the Bad Elf app which is available at the app store absolutely free!
• Extra-long battery The GPS can function for up to 35 hours when programmed to record data in simple data mode.
• Small and compact it measures 3 by 2.5 by 0.7 inches. These dimensions ensure it can be grasped comfortably in the hand.

Cons

• Some units lose signal very easily compared to other models in the market.
• Takes time to respond to a sudden change in direction.

Check Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro Price On Amazon

FAQ By Our Ardent Fans

What is a GPS unit?

They are satellite based systems which give you the exact information about different points anywhere on earth. The system has more than 20 satellites with atomic clocks which continuously broadcast signals about the satellite s position and time based on its atomic clock.

The GPS unit collects these signals from the satellites and based on it, can measure the difference in received times from various satellites and accordingly determine your position or your destination. The results are accurate to a few feet; depending on the number of satellites within the GPS device s range.

Most portable GPS units have programmable profiles to use for recreational use like you can program it for nautical navigation while spending time on the water or a hiker s profile if you want to hike.

Importance of GPS units

You never know when you may run into problems like bad weather like fog, rain or snow which reduces visibility and make it difficult finding trails. Moreover, there may be washed out or poorly marked trails which all throw you off your intended route.

It s in such conditions, and while heating into unfamiliar territory that a GPS proves helpful to you. It helps you navigate through all these unexpected conditions with the help of trip data and log tracks so that you safely reach back home.

It basically provides location-based information you can t see with your eyes like hunters use them to mark their kill s or trailhead s location and mountain guides use its tracks function to mark routes to go up and down mountains. Many also use GPS devices looking for hidden treasures called geocaches which are pre-programmed in them.

Portable GPS units also do many things maps can t do. It shows travelers their exact location worldwide, provides accurate instructions for travelling from one destination to another, warns you about traffic problems and detours and identifies nearby gas stations and stores.

Isn't a Smartphone GPS sufficient to help your way around?

It s true that most smartphones have GPS, which should suffice to help you find your way through backcountry. However the benefit of a dedicated handheld GPS over the GPS found in smartphones is that it has better satellite reception, stronger navigation features and better battery life. They are thus better to use for off-trail navigation in conditions with low visibility.

As interpreting map data in 3D map or bird s eye view is faster and easier, it s better to choose a GPS unit with this feature. It gives you a graphical representation of your surroundings from an elevated stand point.

• Accurate directions

Handheld GPS units provide directions through built-in speakers which gives spoken directions to turn left or right through a built-in speaker.

• Point of interest

The point of interest or POI feature in GPS units provides location information about hotels, coffee shops, parks and other locations in its database. it s not as accurate as street maps as they tend to change frequently but is a useful feature only if it provides phone numbers along with names and locations.

• Screen 

Handheld devices come with screens smaller than the three to seven inches diagonally large screens of automobile GPS units. While larger screens provide the benefit of displaying larger maps with more room for travel data, they do cost a bit more. As smaller screens make the device weigh less and is better for outdoor travel you need to choose the screen size and type based on where you plan to use the GPS unit.

• Actual traffic reports

Some GPS devices receive real time traffic reports which inform you about traffic jams and delays because of construction, so that you can avoid them by using an alternate route. You however may have to subscribe and pay for these services.

• Media card slots

GPS devices store their map and POI data in their built-in hard drive or flash memory card. Routes are calculated faster in hard drives while media cards are a more durable option. Moreover, the card helps back up information and offers various multimedia features like a music player or give a photo view in high end devices.

• Channels

The number of channels in the GPS device determines the number of satellite signals the unit can simultaneously receive information from. While cheaper models have about 12 channels, the more expensive ones may have as many as 24 channels. Devices with more channels are more accurate.

• Tracks

  This feature helps you backtrack while driving or walking through the countryside by tracking and displaying a breadcrumb trail of your journey.

• Touch screen or button

GPS units are either touch screen or with buttons. While buttons are more reliable than touch screen in extreme weather conditions, touch screens offer faster operation than traditional screens. However touch screens consume more battery power, may freeze in cold conditions and aren t easy to use with thick gloves.

Buttoned units however are more reliable as they don t use much battery power, can be used wearing thick or thin gloves and works in all temperature extremes. They however are slower in function and take longer for typing in waypoints.

So you have to make the final decision based on your individual preferences, like if you want a more modern unit which operates quickly or if you want a more reliable unit with longer lasting battery power.

• Type of compass

GPS devices come with electronic or differential compasses, which separate the basic units from the more powerful ones. Electronic compasses show direction without moving while differential compasses show direction only with movement.

Electronic compasses are better when you need to know your direction and can t move like when you are close to a cliff edge, and are easier and faster to navigate. This however doesn t mean that everyone needs it; it s not necessary for average recreational GPS users.

• Barometric altimeter

This feature is not necessary for everyone; as it s useful for bikers, hikers and athletes in training. Devices with this feature are more accurate at calculating altitude and your location on topo maps as they use special sensors to make calculations. These altimeters track weather patterns and can forecast weather trends.

• Media options

It s nice, but not necessary to have media options in the unit like camera, voice recorder and microphone. They are useful for documenting adventures to look back at the pictures and videos of the route.

There s no need of typing in waypoints as it s marked to share with friends to help keep a track on the route just by looking at the pictures. Survey groups also use media options to record photo evidence of specific areas instead of carrying a camera and then attaching pictures to different waypoints.

• World GPS

Make sure the device works worldwide if you plan to take it out of the country. This depends on satellite coverage and the maps it has.

• Waterproof

You ll need a waterproof model if you intend to use it in rainy weather, on boats and any other wet conditions to keep the device dry.

• Battery life

It s the battery life which decides how long you can use your device without a power source, and thus an important feature to consider based on how and where you plan to use the device. However it s okay to buy a device with rechargeable internal batteries only if you will be going on short trips and have access to some electricity source. If you will be spending days away from any power source, a device which runs on replaceable batteries is a better option.

• Waypoint capacity

Devices with a larger waypoint capacity usually have a larger overall memory capacity which affects the number of routes and destinations which the GPS can store.

• Accuracy

The price of the device increases with the accuracy and precision of its location systems. Devices with survey-grade accuracy are generally the more accurate devices.

• Frequency and length of travel

A simple and cheap GPS unit should suffice if you plan to use it occasionally for short trips. However a more sophisticated device is better for everyday use and for complicated travel itineraries or sales calls.

• How often maps are updated

The GPS maps have to be updated to assure you receive accurate directions. If you will be using your unit occasionally to find spots like retail outlets or coffee shops, map updates are not so important and can be done whenever you need to.

You ll need a unit where maps are updated regularly if you need to reach your destination on time as it assures you travel on the right route to reach your destination on time.

Benefits of using handheld GPS devices