Best Garmin Hiking GPS Handhelds for Every Trail
Garmin hiking GPS handhelds are trusted by hikers, trekkers, and explorers worldwide. Whether you're walking the Wicklow Way, navigating remote mountain routes, or planning off-grid adventures abroad, Garmin handhelds provide detailed topo maps, reliable GPS positioning, and powerful navigation tools. At mySatNav, we supply Garmin handheld GPS devices across Ireland - ready for use on any trail.
Garmin Hiking GPS Handhelds: FAQs
What are the key features of Garmin Hiking GPS Handhelds?
- Reliable navigation - Multi-GNSS and multi-band GPS (on select models) for accurate tracking in forests, valleys, or mountains.
- Detailed topographic maps - Preloaded TopoActive Europe maps with options to add custom OSM or BirdsEye satellite imagery.
- Exceptional battery life - Many models provide 16-100+ hours GPS use, with solar and AA battery options for extended trips.
- Rugged outdoor build - Waterproof, shock-resistant, and designed for extreme conditions.
- Advanced navigation tools - Waypoints, routes, TracBack, altimeter, barometer, compass, elevation profiles alomg routes.
- Optional inReach technology - Built-in satellite communications (subscription required); SOS and messaging on models like GPSMAP 67i and Montana 760i.
What are the Top Garmin Hiking GPS Handhelds?
- Montana 710 / 710i / 760i. Large touchscreen GPS, vehicle mount support, TopoActive maps, inReach SOS on i-models - perfect for mixed hiking + off-road vehicle use including motorbikes.
- GPSMAP 67 / 67i. Multi-band GNSS, TopoActive maps, long battery life, with inReach SOS on the 67i - ideal for serious hikers and off-grid explorers.
- eTrex 32x / 22x / SE. Compact, affordable handhelds with TopoActive maps and reliable GPS. SE offers extreme battery life with basic breadcrumb tracking withoutt TopoActive maps.
- GPSMAP 65 / 65s. Multi-band GNSS, altimeter, compass, TopoActive maps - great for geocaching and general hiking.
Who Should Choose a Garmin Hiking GPS Handheld?
Garmin handhelds suit:
- Hikers who want detailed map visibility on a larger screen
- Trekkers exploring remote or off-grid locations
- Adventurers needing inReach SOS or satellite communications
- Those on long expeditions who need flexible power (e.g. AA batteries)
mySatNav supply Garmin handheld GPS devices across Ireland with fast delivery and local support - ready for any adventure, near or far.
What Garmin hiking GPS handheld has the best battery life?
GPSMAP 67i offers up to 180 hours GPS and comes with inReach SOS, ideal for long hikes.
Do Garmin hiking handhelds include topographic maps?
Yes. Most Garmin handhelds come with TopoActive Europe maps, and support BirdsEye satellite imagery or custom OSM topo maps. The eTrex SE is the only Garmin handheld that does not have TopoActive maps - instead, it comes with a Basemap with cities markers only.
Are Garmin handhelds GPS devices suitable for use outside Ireland?
Yes. Garmin handheld GPS devices are designed for worldwide use with multi-GNSS support (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS), topo maps (except eTrex SE), and optional satellite imagery.
Can Garmin hiking GPS handhelds use AA batteries?
Yes. Many models, including eTrex series and GPSMAP 65/65s, offer AA battery compatibility for flexible power on long trips.
Can Garmin hiking GPS handhelds do Area calculations?
Yes. All models are capable of area calculations. If you need a GPS device to caluate the area of a field for instance, look no further than the easy-to-use Garmin eTrex SE.
Garmin Hiking GPS Handhelds Comparison Table
| Model | Key Features | Battery Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montana 760i | Large touchscreen, TopoActive maps, inReach SOS | Up to 18 hours GPS, external power options | Hiking + vehicle nav, long expeditions |
| GPSMAP 67i | Multi-band GNSS, TopoActive maps, inReach SOS | Up to 180 hours GPS | Off-grid hiking, safety-focused explorers |
| eTrex 32x / 22x | TopoActive maps, altimeter (32x only), compass | Up to 25 hours GPS, AA batteries | Compact hiking GPS, reliability |
| eTrex SE | Digital compass | Up to 168 hours GPS, AA batteries | Compact hiking GPS, reliability |
| GPSMAP 65s / 65 | Multi-band GNSS, TopoActive maps, altimeter (65s only) | Up to 16 hours GPS, AA batteries | Geocaching, hiking with advanced nav |
