Handheld GPS buyers guide

Last updated May 16, 2008

In my last post, we looked at automotive GPS receivers. This posts looks at several categories of handhelds, from entry-level models to the cadillacs of the backcountry. I'll make a recommendation in each category, based upon value, feature set and user reviews.

A few caveats first…

• I'll admit a bias towards Garmin. They manufacturer quality units with intuitive interfaces.
• Except where otherwise indicated, the product links go to handheld GPS reviews here at GPS Tracklog, where you’ll find several places to track down the current low price from trusted vendors.
• Unlike most car units, these handhelds don't come with detailed maps. You'll have to buy those separately. Unless you are a boater, your choices in the U.S. come down to a product like Garmin'€™s TOPO U.S. (purchased separately), which is based on 1:100,000 scale maps, or the more detailed but geographically limited US Topo 24K.
  
• Many of the receivers listed below do double duty. That is, they can be used in the field as a handheld, but they can also slip into a dashboard mount to become an auto navigation device. You'll need to buy City Select or City Navigator software for that though. I'll point these units out below.
• You may also be interested in one of our specialty GPS guides -- GPS for hikers, GPS for bikers, GPS for geocachers, GPS for runners and GPS for golfers.
• Finally, all the units below have a high-sensitivity chipset for superior reception under canopy and in natural or urban canyons.

Budget handheld GPS receivers

Our choice: Garmin eTrex H

• Monochrome screen.
• Note that the "map" screen, shown at right, only shows your track and any waypoints you've created, though the compass screen will guide you to a destination "as the crow flies".
• This unit does not come with a cable to transfer waypoints from your computer. You must buy it separately or enter waypoint coordinates manually, which creates plenty of opportunities for error. I highly recommend the purchase of a cable.
• The eTrex H is available for around $90 at the time of this update.

Other budget units

• The Garmin eTrex Venture HC adds a PC cable, sunlight-readable color screen, and the ability to accept detailed topo maps. The retail price is $200, but as of this posting the Venture HC can be found for around $140.

Mid-range handheld GPS receivers

Our choice: Garmin eTrex Legend HCx

• Color screen
• Expandable map memory
• High-sensitivity chipset
• Supports turn-by-turn routing, making it useful for city navigation
• As of this posting the Legend HCx can be found for under $200.

Other mid-range units

• The Garmin eTrex Vista HCx improves on the Legend HCx, adding a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.

High-end handheld GPS receivers

Our choice:    Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx

• Larger color screen than the eTrex series
• SiRFstar III chipset
• Barometric altimeter and electronic compass
• Expandable map memory (comes with a 64 MB micro-SD card)
• Supports turn-by-turn routing, making it useful for city navigation
• The retail price is $535.99, but as of this posting the GPSMAP 60CSx can be found for under $310.

Other high end units

• With the Garmin GPSMAP 60Cx, you get the SiRFstar III chipset, but don't have to pay for the barometric altimeter and electronic compass.
• The Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx floats, making it popular with boaters. It has all the features of the 60CSx, but comes with a 128 micro-SD card.
• If you want to go all out, get a couple of Rino 530HCx units for you and your outdoor adventure partner. That way, you get all the advantages of the 60CSx, plus you can see their position on your screen (and vice versa)!
• Finally, there is the new Garmin Colorado. With a beautifully detailed map screen, you might wonder why it's not making my recommendation  list. I have no problem recommending this series for geocaching, but it comes up short on some navigation features that may be important  for backcountry types. UPDATE: The newest beta firmware release allow srepositioning of waypoints in the field. If they get it to where you can display multiple tracks, I'll be able to highly recommend this unit fro hikers as well.

 

Comments

[Lars Kellogg-Stedman]

Howdy,

I just wanted to note that the two Legend Cx purchases I know of -- my own and member of one of the forums at geocaching.com -- came with 64mb cards rather than the 32mb card advertised. I don't know if this represents a documentation error, lack of supply of the 32mb cards, or something else entirely.

[Rich Owings]

Thanks Lars. I had seen the same info on the Groundspeak (geocaching.com) message board. I'm not sure how long it will last, but there are quite a few other folks out there who got lucky too.

[Bob]

Amazon.com has the Legend color for $193 with no shipping.
They also have the Vista color for $230.

[Rich Owings]

Thanks for the heads up Bob. I guess I shouldn't post prices this time of year.

[S Patin]

Is someone here familiar with the Lowrance iFinder Explorer or H2O? It does have a larger screen than the similar Garmin units and seems to do everything the Garmin does.
What are the downsides, if any, of the Lowrance unit?
Sidney

[Rich Owings]

Sidney,

I haven't tested either of those units. Garmin has a reputation for intuitive menus and good customer service. Which Garmin are you considering? I would suggest searching for info, or asking your question, at the geocaching.com GPS message board. http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

Sorry I can't be of more help.

Rich

[George Sparr]

Rich,
Did you find out anything about the iFinder H2O? I'm thinking about buying one but I don't have any customer info on the product.

Thanks, George

[Rich Owings]

George,

I haven't reviewed the iFinder H2O. Two people have reviewed it on Amazon. You might also want to ask at http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

HTH

[GPS Newbie]

So when you say "Handheld GPS Buyer's Guide" & "Top Handheld GPS for 2007", you really mean the top "Garmin" models. You admit to not having tested top models from other manufacturers. So how can your advice be worth anything in terms of forming the basis for a "buyers guide"? How can you say that Garmin's interface is more intuitive than Lowrance if you haven't used a Lowrance? You drive a Ford, so is that the best car on the road? I came to your site looking for advice, and only found bias. Disappointing.

[Rich Owings]

Where did I say I haven't tested models from other manufacturers? I've used Lowrance, Magellan and DeLorme handhelds. I've based my recommendations on Garmin's superior interface and excellent customer service.

I am hoping that the new Magellan Triton series changes my mind though. It's not good when one company excels; the market is better served when there is stronger competition.

[Kevin]

I've had a b&w Legend for a couple of years and would like to know if any of the higher end or newer models would provide any better reception. I find the unit almost useless in forest areas that I frequent.
Kevin

[Rich Owings]

Yes, you will see a dramatic improvement in reception with any of the eTrex H series models, or with the Garmin 60/76 x series. All of these units have a high-sensitivity chipset.

I find that it is very unusual for me to lose reception, even under heavy canopy. I'm typically biking, and it may not be quite as good hiking, since it will take longer to pass through particularly dense areas, but I think you will be very pleased overall.

[Marlene D.]

I recently purchased a Garmin nuvi 200 for $199 but now I saw a Garmin Street Pilot 330 for $178. What is the difference between them ? What's the better deal? This is the first gps that we ever had. Help!

[Rich Owings]

Marlene, keep the nuvi. It has a better chipset for improved reception under canopy and in urban canyons. It also has a greatly improved screen. It's worth way more than $20 more.

[tedcohen]

Word to the wise -- Don't buy the WorldNav 3300 distributed by TeleType Co. of Boston.

Piece of junk. Lots of software problems.

And their customer service is non-existent.

And worse yet they charge $15 for shipping a package that really costs them only $2 to ship. They make their money on shipping.

[Oleg Popov]

Hey, I am surprised to see that coming from TeleType. I have great experience with the product. Although I purchased it over 1 year ago and still use it and I wonder if something changed. The product I use is WorldNav 3100 and I think it is by far the most superior GPS I have even seen.

[tedcohen]

Oleg --

Thousands of unhappy WorldNav customers have posted complaints on the Internet. One is seeking others who want to join a class-action lawsuit.

If your WorldNav works fine, good for you. You got lucky.

[tedcohen]

Guys -

If you have more questions about WorldNav products please check out our blog:

http://worldnav3300gps.blogspot.com/

[Bill Wilson]

Looking at the Garmin 60 or 76 models. 76 is cheaper, comes with a bigger memory card and floats, but... it appears the controls are at the top with the screens/maps at the bottom. It would seem that your hand, or thumb at least, would cover the screen while scrolling, making it a bit awkward to use. It might be easier if the map could be turned upside down so north is at the bottom of the screen and getting used to the control buttons being upside down, but I dont know if the maps can be inverted? Can anyone who has used one of these comment

[Rich Owings]

Bill,

I don't think this is possible. A few people prefer the 76, but the 60 is far more popular I'd go with it unless you have a need for a unit that will float.

[JeffB]

I'm looking for a handheld GPS unit for fishing on a river from a kayak. While it will be nice to use the unit for directions to and from put-ins, I mostly want to be able to mark where and when I caught fish so that I can return to those spots on subsequent trips. I'm looking for a unit that will show me that I'm coming up to an area where I've caught fish before and which side of the river I've done well on. I read about way points and such, but don't know if that is what I want. Do GPS units do what I want and if so, what's a good one for my needs?

[Rich Owings]

Jeff,

Yes, waypoints are what you need to mark fishing spots and a GPS should do a great job. You can mark waypoints on the unit while fishing and save them (on the GPS, and a computer too if you wish) for returning to the same spot later. If the river isn't very wide, I would get in the habit of naming waypoints with an L or an R, so you know which side of the river the spot was on. Just be consistent that it is L or R looking up river or looking down river.
I'd look at a Garmin GPSMap 76Cx... http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2006/02/garmin_gpsmap_7.html

This unit should give you accuracy of 10-20'.

[Toby]

So is there really much difference between the eTrex Vista HCx and the GPSMAP 60CSx other than screen size? Is the chipset significantly better in the 60?

[Rich Owings]

I don't think the 60CSx chipset is really any better, but there may still be some firmware bugs in the Vista HCx. You'll find some discussion of them here: http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showforum=11

The eTrex series has a longer battery life and lighter weight. Personally, I like the controls on the 60CSx better, but it's a minor point.

Hope this helps.

[Toby]

Thanks for the help!

[Rich Owings]

You're welcome!