Handheld GPS buyers guide

Last updated February 24, 2009

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.
• The prices listed below are current as of the last update of this post. Keep an eye on our companion GPS Deals site for some great values.
• 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 Venture HC

• Sunlight-readable color screen
• Can accept detailed topo maps (sold separately)
• Comes with a USB cable for transferring waypoints, tracks and routes to and from your computer
• The retail price is $200, but as of this posting the Venture HC can be found for around $130

Other budget units

• The Garmin eTrex H has a monochrome screen and you lose the cable and the ability to load maps. The eTrex H is available for around $105 at the time of this update. I highly recommend getting the Venture HC instead.

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 about $180.

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

There are actually a couple of units to consider here; both have a barometric altimeter and electronic compass:

The newest Garmin, the Oregon 400t, is a dream come true. It combines a high resolution, touch screen interface with pre-loaded topo maps of the entire U.S. It's a joy to use and offers grab n' go convenience. Listing for $639.99, the price has finally started to drop and it's now available for around $460.

An even more recent introduction, the Delorme PN-40 can accommodate aerial imagery and real USGS topos. It has a smaller screen than the Oregon (albeit more legible in most daylight conditions) and comes with powerful but complex software. An added plus is the ability to do highway navigation with no additional purchase. At the time of this posting, it was available for around $340.

Other high end units

• The Oregon 300, without pre-loaded detailed maps, is a good choice for someone who already owns an unlocked Garmin map set.
• The old standby is the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx. This unit has all the features of the Vista HCx, discussed above, along with a larger color screen. Equipped with the SiRFstar III chipset, the 60/76 series are the most accurate consumer GPS receivers made by Garmin. I actually recommend this unit for professionals where accuracy is of the utmost importance.
• The Garmin GPSMAP 76CSx floats, making it popular with boaters. It has all the features of the 60CSx, but comes with a 128MB micro-SD card instead of a 64MB card.
• Another option is to 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)!

Related posts:

• GPS for cyclists
• GPS for geocachers
• GPS for golfers
• GPS for hikers
• GPS for runners

Comments

[Kirk focht]

What about the Delorme The PN-40 GP

[Rich Owings]

I haven't completed my review, so I haven't included it here yet. But here's my short take. It's an excellent GPS. Biggest drawback is the learning curve for the software (Topo USA) but it's gotten a lot better.

[Terry Greiner]

First GPS and have looked at a ton of reviews. Probably going with Legend HCX because of price and your own review compared to the 6CS. So, do I buy the entire US topo map or wait till Garmin comes out with the 4/5 state around Michigan and the Great Lakes in the 1/24,000 format? I'm planning to use it for hunting and setting fishing waypoints. Thanks for any suggestions.

[Rich Owings]

Tough call. Reports say the trails database on the 24K series is much worse than with Topo 2008. And no telling how long you'll have to wait for the 24K series (or how many packages/states you would want to buy). But it does have routable highway maps.

I'd says go for Topo 2008, but you'll have bigger contour intervals.

You might also want to look into free maps...
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2007/12/free-maps-for-y.html

[OldSteveH]

Hi, can someone help with this question? I am looking for a handheld GPS where I can put it in my knapsack, go for a bikeride and have it map the route automatically, ie NOT have to mark waypoints manually while riding. This seems like an obviously useful feature, but there seems to be nothing mentioned about it in most literature/manuals. Thanks for any advice!

[Rich Owings]

If you just want it to record where you've been, just about any handheld GPS will do this. It's called recording a tracklog. Reception will be impacted in your pack. Keep it as high as possible, with no metal or water between it and the sky. If you're going to use it this way, I definitely recommend one with a high-sensitivity chipset. There are handlebar mounts available for most units, BTW.

[Liz]

I am looking for a handheld to use for the Baja 1000 race. We will be on a motorcycle, so needs to be ruggedized. We'll need to upload a topo map of the course. I have looked at the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx and the Magellan Triton 400. Any thoughts on those two? Any recommendations for others? Trying to stay under $350.00.

[Rich Owings]

First of all, stay away from the Triton. Have you looked into Mexican topo maps? There may be some free ones, but you may need to buy them, so factor the cost in.

I'm not a big fan of the eTrex series for such use. The 60Cx might be a better choice, due to the buttons on the front.

[naicale eerln]

I am waiting for the next generation of Colorado 300. The actual edition of Colorado is rubbish, it is not reliable, it has lots of hardware and software problem. I hope in one year time Garmin will sort all them out. Otherwise im going to purchase 60CSx.

[Rich Owings]

I prefer the Oregon to the Colorado, but the 60CSx is still a great unit.

[Bruce]

Hello,

I spend a great deal of time horseback riding in the Southeastern US, and would like your suggestion on the handheld GPS unit that you would recommend. Most of my rides are in the back country...fording streams etc. Visibility of the screen is important, as well as setting and navigating to waypoints. I have reviewed as much information as I can conterning the Garmin Oregon 400t, Magellan Triton 2000, and the DeLorme Earthmate PN-40...Your recommendations are greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Rich Owings]

I'd stay away from the Triton. The PN-40 can display aerial photos and USGS quads, which could be nice. But the computer software you use with it is a pain the, um, saddle. The Oregon is more intuitive and easier to operate on the go. Display -- the PN-40 is small; I don't find the visibility issues on the Oregon to be a big problem if you are using it as a handheld, which I assume you would be (they don't make GPS mounts for saddles, do they?).

[Bruce]

Rich,

Thanks for the feedback. No GPS mounts for the saddle..yet. Can you recommend a carrying case for the Oregon 400t...and software to use with the 400t....or any other recommendations for accessories for the 400t. Thanks.

Bruce

[Bruce]

Rich,

Most of my time horseback riding is in Jennings State Forest in Clay County, Florida. Do you know of a product with detailed topo maps for this area?

Bruce

[Rich Owings]

Yes, first you'll need MapSource for software. Great for trip planning...
http://freegeographytools.com/2007/garmin-mapsource-for-free (perfectly legal, BTW).

Then check out these maps...
http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/maps/state/fl

Also, the Oregon 400t comes with pre-loaded 1:100K scale topos of the U.S. You might be able to get by with the 300 if you use these free maps, buts it's nice to have both on the unit.

[Bruce]

Rich,

The Florida horseback rider with you again. For overall efficiency, cost, visibility etc., if going with a Garmin unit, would you recommend the 300, Oregon 400t, or the 60CSx? Thanks.

Bruce

[Rich Owings]

Personally, I'd go with the Oregon -- the 400t if you can afford it. Reasons for going with the 60CSx: (1) if you ride a lot in bright sunlight (vs under canopy) or (2) if you are already used to a bright color unit like the 60/76 or eTrex series. It would be ideal if you could try the Oregon first. But for myself -- I'd go with the Oregon without hesitation.

[Bruce]

Rich,
I purchased the Garmin 400t, as you recommended. I've been experimenting with the 400t during the last several days, and it appears to be the right one for me. Here's my question: for the horse riding trails, I am able to map a route on a topo map, and, using MapSource, can tranfer the route to Google Earth for a printout...however, I would like to create a route using Google Earth, and then transfer to the topo map on MapSource and store on the 400t to use on the trails...how am I able to do this? Can you help or direct me to the right source to ask. Thanks.
Bruce

[Rich Owings]

I'm not a Google Earth expert, but I found this...
http://freegeographytools.com/2007/creating-gps-routes-and-tracks-in-google-earth

I prefer to work in TopoFusion for creating tracks (trails) and creating waypoints from aerial photos. Then I create a route from the waypoints in MapSource or on the device. This may help for understanding the difference between tracks and routes...
http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2005/12/tracks_and_rout.html

Also, you can often find .gpx tracks of trails for download online. I wonder if there is a horseback rider site set up to share them. MotionBased.com is used by lots of runners, hikers and mountain bikers.

Hope this helps.