The Best GPS for Outdoor Activities: Review - 2024 Update

Hey everyone, this is our best hiking GPS review from actual users. Our team at Oregon Discovery used dozens of various navigators over 15 years. We went on thousands of outdoor adventures, from hiking in the Oregon wilderness to extended desert trips and everything in between.

We broke a few navigators and got lost with a few others. You name it, we have done it. So we know what works and what doesn't.

Since we are not only hiking, I included multi-purpose and adventure-specific GPS navigators (ex, cycling and sailing).

If you do not know what you're looking for, here's a quick overview.

Imagine hurtling down a slope from a summit only to realize you've taken a wrong turn. Suddenly, the smooth skiing path down becomes a forest. You try to check your location, but the phone has no reception. That happened to me.

Have I told you I had no food, no other necessities with me, and a blizzard began to intensify? Luckily, I managed to find my way out in about an hour while starting to freeze slowly. After returning to the base camp and checking the GPS, I was about 15 min away if I knew where to go. I have been in similar situations more than once.

In addition to Oregon, our team went all over the US, Europe, and Asia.

Despite being in developed and relatively developed areas, you will be surprised at how spotty cell service can be. If you get lost, the easiest lifesaver is a GPS navigator.

And it doesn't have to break the bank (but some are worth the high price tag).

The Best Hiking GPS Satellite Phone Combo: Garmin GPSMAP 66i

Garmin GPSMAP 66i offers a complete solution for both navigation and communication requirements. This is the best navigator and satellite phone combination on the market offering an exceptional blend of features and making it a cost-effective and reliable choice.

Hiking GPS navigator with typical features of high-end GPS navigators
Cellular connectivity enables access to weather forecasts and geocaching live
Built-in satelite phone lets send messages and activate SOS option
Rechargeable lithium battery offers up to 35 hours in 10-minute tracking mode

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The Best GPS Smartwatch: Garmin Fenix 7 Solar

Take your training to the next level with real-time stamina tracking, comprehensive training status updates, advanced performance metrics, and a diverse range of 30-plus built-in sports apps. This long-lasting companion is designed to keep up with your active lifestyle, ensuring you stay connected and informed throughout your fitness journey.

Garmin Fenix 7 Solar is a Leatherman and Tesla of smartwatches. It replaces a bag full of tools and devices, all on your wrist.

In addition to navigation, you get:

Health and Wellness Monitor
Music Player
Built-In Sports Apps
Flashlight
3-axis Compass, Gyroscope, and Barometric Altimeter

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The Best Value GPS Hiking Navigators

Garmin Foretrex 601

Garmin Foretrex 601 is durable device, constructed to military standards and working with multi-satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite systems to provide accurate positioning.

Advanced Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, 3 axis compass, and barometric altimeter
Smart notifications: Allow to receive emails, texts and alerts
Durability: Withstand high temperatures, shocks, and water exposure
Extended Battery Life: Exceeds 48 hours

Garmin Foretrex 701

The updated device provides advanced calculations for precise aiming solutions in long-range shooting.

GPS ballistic calculator

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The Best Value GPS Upgrated Hiking Navigator: Garmin Foretrex 801

Garmin Foretrex 801 is wrist-mounted durable device, built to military standards. It works with multi-satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS and Galileo satellite systems to provide accurate positioning.

Advanced Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer, 3 axis compass, and barometric altimeter
Smart notifications: Allow to receive emails, texts and alerts
InReach Compatibility:: Pairs with your compatible inReach satellite communicator
Jumpmaster Mode: Uses jumpmaster mode to calculate high-altitude release points
Durability: Withstand high temperatures, shocks, and water exposure
Extended Battery Life: Exceeds 100 hours

Garmin Edge 1040 is the best GPS unit for cycling. It combines Garmin-quality navigation with a lot of sport-specific features.

It is not just a GPS navigator. It is your personal cycling coach! Garmin Edge 1040 collects cycling data, analyses your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you improvement suggestions. You can compare data from previous outings to see how much you have improved!

The unit can be synchronized with:

Speed sensor
Cadence sensor
Heart rate monitor
DI2 shifter
Varia light/radar and Garmin headlight

Solar charging adds up to 42 minutes of charge per hour! So, you can extend run time up to 100 hours in battery-saving mode. Odds are, you would only sip 5-10 % of the battery's power per trip!

So, you can keep the unit on the bike almost permanently! Just make sure local meth fairies don't steal it (along with your bike!)