Which handheld gps is best for geocaching

This is especially helpful for outdoor guides or scientific surveys. While many options boast a photo viewer, the Oregon t is the only GPS in our review to include a camera. But extras like that also come at the price of the added size.

Another great feature is smart notifications. You can sync your smartphone to your GPS and receive text messages or social media updates on the unit. High-end units like the GPSMAP 66st sport this high level of technicality, but it does take some time and know-how to set up.

If you don't want to take your phone out of the backpack while staying connected, this may be an option for you. GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products.

And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. Photo: Jared Vilhauer. Share this article:. Our Editors independently research, test, and rate the best products. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers. Learn more. For the past 8 years, we've tested 25 of the top handheld GPS units side-by-side.

Our review directly compares 7 of the best models available on the market today. An expert team of analysts has navigated through whiteouts, desert washes, fog-covered forests, and high mountain passes from Alaska to the Four Corners.

Our intensive field testing pushes the limits of these units and helps highlight strengths and weaknesses relative to the competition. Our comprehensive review goes in-depth to cover the key features, capabilities, and limitations of each device.

So next time you strike out on an adventure, you'll know you're on the right track with the best handheld GPS unit for your needs. Top 7 Product Ratings. Displaying 1 - 5 of 7. Garmin Oregon t. Garmin Montana Garmin eTrex 32x. Show full specification details Hide full specification details.

Reception 8. Fantastic reception in thick coverage. See all prices 2 found. Reception 6. Score Product Price Our Take Garmin eTrex Garmin eTrex Touch One of our testers was surprised how ubiquitous satellite reception is these days, even in Alaska. All of the Garmin units we tested have very strong and consistent reception. Depending on how and when you plan on using your GPS, a simple user interface like the eTrex 32x may actually be preferable to a touchscreen unit like the Oregon t right.

No GPS unit can substitute for basic orienteering skills, situational awareness, and common sense. They simply tell you where you are and where you've gone. In the unlikely event that you need to call for help, a Personal Locator Beacon is what you want. For navigating rough canyon country, a GPS might afford better tracking capability than a smartphone GPS that could easily lose service, if it even has it in the first place.

A lot of our current testing took place in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Here we see lots of steep, remote terrain that could obstruct satellite signals. We also got ourselves into all sorts of weather conditions. Can a GPS replace a map and compass?

We strongly recommend carrying a map and compass when in unfamiliar terrain. Maps don't run out of batteries or break if accidentally dropped off a cliff. They serve as a fail-safe backup to any electronic device. The Gaia base map is more compelling than that of the Oregon You can get better base maps for the GPS, though.

Even with the life proof case, we'd rather drop the GPS unit. It can also hold a charge for 16 hours at a time and get new AAs in the field. What about the GPS on my smartphone?

The reception of your smartphone simply may not prove reliable in the backcountry. Smartphones rely on the combination of a cheap GPS device and triangulation between cell towers and even WiFi to dial in your location. Yet, many of the best hikes are in the mountains, deserts, or pristine backcountry areas where there is no reliable cell support, and so your smartphone's GPS sensors might not cut the mustard.

Make sure you can make it back to that perfect alpine lake the next time. The ability to accurately mark waypoints is a huge plus for GPS units when your adventures take you beyond cell-service.

Don't worry if you aren't interested in uploading maps to your new GPS; many of Garmin's units come preloaded with adequate basemaps for your region, and more advanced units like the Montana even include overlays to enhance navigation. Out hunting springtime snow? For rugged missions like ski touring and mountaineering, a durable, highly water-resistant portable GPS may be preferable to a smartphone. You're unlikely to be able to download a new map here.

Gotta plan ahead. Almost every GPS unit we tested is able to gain a quality satellite signal, even under a dense forest canopy. Garmin's Basecamp is the best free software that comes with a GPS. It is useful for trip planning because you can draw potential routes and calculate elevation gain and loss. Stuck in a whiteout and not sure where to go? Navigate back to way points you've taken, see trip data, log tracks, and stay safe.

This unit offers a powerful color screen, that is easily readable even in the brightest sunlight of the desert southwest. Small, portable, and plenty capable as a back-up just in case you get lost, the eTrex 10 is perfect for alpine climbing. Navigating narrow slot canyons really tested the capability of even our highest performing GPS units. About the only place we completely lost reception was when we experimented to see if it was possible to navigate via GPS underground.

Here we are at the mouth of a local cave system. Here we see a comparison of tracks while driving. The Montana was the most accurate in this test. Even the Montana , which is the bulkiest and heaviest unit in this review, is really not much larger than your average smartphone. All portable GPS units are small enough to comfortably carry, making trail navigation that much easier. It was less than ideal being unable to load even a single topo quad onto the memory-limited eTrex However, we loved the simple eTrex 10 when it came to paperless geocaching -- since its basically wandering, it's a fun activity for any GPS enthusiast!

The electronic compass is quick to respond and doesn't require you to move to find direction. I personally found it to be very accurate, although many who have gone a little bit more off the beaten track have struggled with this device. Finally, the interaction is slightly less intuitive than other Garmin geocaches.

What some products require one button press for, the GPSMAP 64st will need 5 or 6 — although this seems to be the price you pay for a non-touchscreen device.

Where to even begin with this neat little Garmin geocaching GPS device? Well, first things first, the Montana supports paperless geocaching GPX files. Forget manually entering coordinates, mistaking a 6 for a 9 and ending up the wrong side of the border, this device uploads geocaches straight from geocaching.

This means you can have everything you need at the click of a button — including location, difficulty, terrain, hints and descriptions. The Montana t Camo locates your position quickly and accurately.

Accuracy aside, it is the 4-inch glove-friendly touchscreen is what makes this device one of the best geocaching GPS in my eyes. It works well no matter what the temperature, and the screen is large enough that the maps are high resolution and easy to read.

Any downsides? Another slight downside is the battery life. If you are on a budget and want the best geocaching GPS to suit a lower price range, this might be the best GPS device for geocaching for you. For a GPS navigator, I have zero complaints. The satellite is accurate, the device is easy to use, and the product is both durable and waterproof.

For geocaching, this GPS device has both positives and negatives. Maps cannot be loaded onto the device, leaving you with only the base map for navigation. Geocaches can be downloaded straight from the website, but there is no way to see your distance to the geocache. Another solid contender for the best GPS device for geocaching is the Garmin Oregon t , which is available in a few different sizes and styles.

The 3-inch sunlight-readable display is great for those brighter days, while the touchscreen is compatible with many gloves — making it easy to use in winter without the danger of frostbite! This device lets you easily share your routes, tracks, waypoints, and geocaches with other units. Plus, the built-in 8MP digital camera lets your snap pictures on the go and send them to other adventurers.

This is the best GPS for geocaching for those who are looking to get stuck into the community aspect of geocaching, staying in touch with others while on the move, as well as documenting their adventures. Like many other Garmin geocaches, the Oregon t comes with a state-of-the-art dual battery system. Either way, you are unlikely to be stuck with no battery! Finally, like the other GPS for geocaching devices, this Garmin product comes with built-in US topographic data, and adding more maps is a simple and intuitive process.

All in all, if you are looking for the best GPS for geocaching, this is a fantastic Garmin product. The camera is a great extra feature, and each picture you take is geotagged with the exact location of where it was taken. The t also has a microSD card slot in case you need to add more storage. You can also track your travels using the Multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems in more challenging terrain.

Sync your mobile with Geocaching Live to make your Geocaching experience run smoothly, and enjoy accurate weather forecasting through the GPS too. Users have reported that this GPS device is almost always on point and shows very accurate coordinates. For inexperienced geocachers, getting started can often seem overwhelming.

A GPS device is something of a geocaching essential. Most of the newer GPS models can narrow down your exact position with 10 meters. Tall trees and valleys can make a GPS signal less accurate. Many GPS units have preloaded basic maps. This paid service allows you to see your destination in high-resolution color before you arrive.

Some portable GPS units were created with Bluetooth technology. You can also sync your smartphone to get messages and updates on your GPS. This feature helps your GPS pinpoint your location quicker. At some point in your adventure you may want to hold your GPS in the air to try to get a better signal. A differential compass must be in motion for it to work. If your GPS has a barometric altimeter it will use changes in air pressure to determine your elevation.

A great advantage to this feature is weather tracking. If you see a pressure increase then you can expect favorable weather. Lots of nature guides appreciate these features. These allow you to mark a waypoint instead of having to type it and taking photos decreases the chances of you accidentally wandering off the trail.

Geocaching is basically treasure hunting via GPS. GPS units preloaded with geocaches allow players to forego paper maps. Waypoints are points of references for navigation and location. These can be a landmark or a latitude and longitude of a location. At the very least you should make sure your GPS has an IPX-4 rating which will protect it from splashing water, though not necessarily submersion.

This Garmin handheld GPS combines features and reliability to be the best overall choice. You can share your routes, geocaches, tracks, and waypoints wirelessly with your friends, plus this model has an IPX-7 waterproof rating. Both models weigh 5 ounces, measure 2. This GPS pairs with compatible mobile devices and allows you to share your location.

This Garmin measures 2. Leave the paper maps at home and go on your geocaching trips with the Garmin eTrex The user interface has been improved, and a worldwide basemap is included.

It has 6 MB of memory and you can get up to 25 hours of battery life before having to change the AA batteries. This GPS measures 2. View on Amazon. Along with the 3-axis compass it also has accelerometer and barometric altimeter sensors. The touchscreen has a resolution of x pixels and measures 1.

It offers up to 16 hours of battery life and an IPX-7 waterproof rating. You can see the 1. It uses GPS and Galileo, and it has sensors for an altimeter, barometer, and 3-axis electronic compass.