A Global Positioning System device is indispensable for an avid hiker. While all units perform basic navigational functions, you will find through research that some specific models are mentioned more often than others.
- Garmin Oregon 600
The Garmin Oregon 600 sells for about $350. It is one of the most up-to-date devices on the market and is given the highest customer ratings in display quality, user friendliness, reception, speed, and versatility. It has one of the best touchscreens available with rapid map loading and customizable alarms. It allows you to create shortcuts from the main menu and provides Bluetooth sync with Garmin BaseCamp software. Its shortcoming is its poor performance in cold weather. It is difficult to use while wearing gloves. Its basics include:
- 1.5 GB memory
- 1.5” x 2.5” display
- 16 hour battery life
- Barometric altimeter
- Electronic compass
- Data card receptive
- Magellan eXplorist 710
The Magellan eXplorist 710 retails for $365 to $400 and includes the OneTouch favorites menu which is slow to load but easy to use. It has a built-in speaker and includes a camera which can record photos and videos. Customers give it moderate ratings in display quality, user friendliness, reception, and versatility. It includes pre-loaded topographical maps but is heavier and slower than most Garmin units. Online reviews state that the screen is dim with edges and corners which are difficult to maneuver. It cannot pair with Bluetooth. Its basics include:
- 3 GB memory
- 1.5” x 2.5” display
- 16 hour battery life
- Barometric Altimeter
- Electronic compass
- Data card receptive
- Camera
- Garmin Dakota 20
The Garmin Dakota 20 falls in the $180 to $280 price range. Consumers give it high marks for its ease of use and customizable menu system, and moderate to high marks for display quality, reception, speed, and versatility. It offers paperless geocaching, loadable maps and charts, and the ability to sync with Garmin BaseCamp software. While it is lightweight and has a strong battery life, its touchscreen display is indistinct and hard to see in full daylight. Its basics include:
- 850 MB memory
- 1.43” x 2.15” display
- 20 hour battery life
- Barometric altimeter
- Electronic compass
- Data card receptive
- Garmin eTrex20
The Garmin eTrex 20 costs between $168 and $200. Professional reviewers claim that it is the best balance of functionality and price. It offers paperless geocaching and a wide variety of color map sets. Although its processor is slower than some models, you will be able to customize dashboards for the apps you use most often. Its buttons can be hard to press, but its small traditional screen gives an above average display and is clearly visible in bright sunlight. Customers give it moderate ratings in user friendliness, reception, and versatility. Its basics include:
- 1.75 GB memory
- 1.4” x 1.7” display
- 25 hour battery life
- No barometric altimeter
- No electronic compass
- Data card receptive
- DeLorme PN-60
The DeLorme PN-60 is expensive at $600 to $625 and is given moderate rankings in display quality, user friendliness, reception, speed, and versatility. Its buttons are cramped for gloved fingers, but its traditional screen is high resolution color. It features North American topographical software. And it comes with preloaded maps and more easy-to-download maps from DeLorme’s library. Its basics include:
- 3.5 GB memory
- 1.4” x 1.7” display
- 13 hour battery life
- Barometric altimeter
- Electronic compass
- Data card receptive
- 2-way text messaging
