Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise, but it can also be risky if you’re not prepared. One of the most important tools you can have with you on the trail is a portable GPS receiver. Not only do these devices help you navigate and track your location, but they can also improve your safety in a number of ways. With a GPS receiver, you can mark important locations and waypoints along your route, track your progress and distance traveled, and even communicate with loved ones in case of an emergency. In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 7 portable GPS receivers for hikers, highlighting their features and how they can improve safety on the trail.
The Garmin eTrex 10 is a budget-friendly GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers. It has a compact, durable design and is water-resistant, making it suitable for use in all types of weather. The eTrex 10 has a simple, easy-to-use interface and can hold up to 500 waypoints, making it easy to track your progress and mark important locations along your hike.
One of the standout features of the eTrex 10 is its long battery life. It can last up to 25 hours on a single set of AA batteries, making it a reliable choice for multi-day hikes. It also has a built-in electronic compass and a barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain.
Overall, the Garmin eTrex 10 is a reliable and affordable GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers on a tight budget.
Price: $100
The Garmin eTrex 22x is a step up from the eTrex 10, with a few additional features that make it more suitable for serious hikers. It has a larger screen and a more advanced GPS receiver, allowing for better accuracy and faster location tracking.
Like the eTrex 10, the eTrex 22x has a durable design and is water-resistant, making it suitable for use in all types of weather. It also has a long battery life, lasting up to 25 hours on a single set of AA batteries.
One of the standout features of the eTrex 22x is its built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain. It also has a built-in microSD card slot, allowing you to expand its storage capacity and load additional maps and waypoints.
Overall, the Garmin eTrex 22x is a reliable and feature-packed GPS receiver that is perfect for serious hikers.
Price: $178
The Garmin GPSMAP 64sx is a high-end GPS receiver that is perfect for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has a rugged, waterproof design and a large, sunlight-readable screen, making it easy to use in all types of weather.
One of the standout features of the GPSMAP 64sx is its advanced GPS receiver, which is capable of tracking your location in real-time even in dense forests or canyons. It also has a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain.
The GPSMAP 64sx also has a built-in microSD card slot, allowing you to expand its storage capacity and load additional maps and waypoints. It is compatible with a wide range of Garmin mapping software, allowing you to customize your maps and create detailed routes for your hikes.
Overall, the Garmin GPSMAP 64sx is a top-of-the-line GPS receiver that is perfect for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Price: $229
The Garmin inReach Mini is a compact and lightweight GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers and backcountry adventurers. It has a durable design and is water-resistant, making it suitable for use in all types of weather. This is the model we use when we are out hiking far from civilization or mobile service, it’s great and very light.
One of the standout features of the inReach Mini is its built-in satellite communication capability. It can send and receive text messages even in areas without cell phone coverage, allowing you to stay connected and communicate with loved ones while on the trail. It also has a built-in GPS receiver, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your location in real-time.
In addition to its communication and GPS capabilities, the inReach Mini also has a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain. It also has a long battery life, lasting up to 50 hours on a single set of AA batteries.
Overall, the Garmin inReach Mini is a compact and versatile GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers and backcountry adventurers who need reliable communication and GPS capabilities in remote areas.
Price: $329
The Magellan Explorist TRX7 is a rugged and durable GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has a rugged design and is water-resistant, making it suitable for use in all types of weather.
One of the standout features of the Explorist TRX7 is its built-in GPS receiver, which is capable of tracking your location in real-time even in dense forests or canyons. It also has a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain.
The Explorist TRX7 also has a long battery life, lasting up to 16 hours on a single set of AA batteries. It has a built-in flashlight and a backlight, making it easy to use in low light conditions. It is also compatible with a wide range of Magellan mapping software, allowing you to customize your maps and create detailed routes for your hikes.
Overall, the Magellan Explorist TRX7 is a rugged and reliable GPS receiver that is perfect for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Price: $445
The Garmin Fenix 6X is a high-end GPS receiver that is perfect for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has a rugged, waterproof design and a large, sunlight-readable screen, making it easy to use in all types of weather.
One of the standout features of the Fenix 6X is its advanced GPS receiver, which is capable of tracking your location in real-time even in dense forests or canyons. It also has a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain.
The Fenix 6X also has a built-in microSD card slot, allowing you to expand its storage capacity and load additional maps and waypoints. It is compatible with a wide range of Garmin mapping software, allowing you to customize your maps and create detailed routes for your hikes.
In addition to its GPS capabilities, the Fenix 6X also has a range of other features, including a heart rate monitor, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a pulse oximeter, making it a versatile and feature-packed GPS receiver for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Price: $500
The Suunto 9 is a high-end GPS receiver that is perfect for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. It has a rugged, waterproof design and a large, sunlight-readable screen, making it easy to use in all types of weather.
One of the standout features of the Suunto 9 is its advanced GPS receiver, which is capable of tracking your location in real-time even in dense forests or canyons. It also has a built-in electronic compass and barometric altimeter, which can be useful for navigation and tracking your elevation gain.
The Suunto 9 also has a long battery life, lasting up to 120 hours on a single set of AA batteries. It has a built-in flashlight and a backlight, making it easy to use in low light conditions. It is also compatible with a wide range of Suunto mapping software, allowing you to customize your maps and create detailed routes for your hikes.
In addition to its GPS capabilities, the Suunto 9 also has a range of other features, including a heart rate monitor, an oxygen saturation sensor, and a pulse oximeter, making it a versatile and feature-packed GPS receiver for serious hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Price: $485
In conclusion, there are many great portable GPS receivers on the market that are perfect for hikers. From budget-friendly options like the Garmin eTrex 10 to high-end options like the Suunto 9, there is a GPS receiver for every budget and need. By considering factors like durability, battery life, and features like electronic compasses and barometric altimeters, you can choose the best GPS receiver for your hiking needs and ensure that you stay safe and on track on the trail.