The best travel GPS navigators: Independent Top 6

Tourist GPS navigators: Guide to choose from

Why do we need tourist GPS navigators?

The advantages of a tourist GPS navigator are obvious:

• Speed. You no longer need to waste a lot of time calculating your coordinates and plotting a route;
• Moisture resistant. Can work in snowfall, in the rain, during river rafting;
• Ability to load many maps;
• Additional functions: remembering routes, communication with your phone and with navigators of fellow travelers are never superfluous.

Navigator is different from navigator

Tourist navigators differ from automobile and any other ones in a number of ways:

• Designed to work in extreme hiking conditions;
• Must work for a long time without recharging; the best navigators have power supplies that are easy to replace;
• Compactness, light weight, and ease of use while hiking are much more important than additional functions.

How to choose the best travel GPS navigator

When purchasing a navigator, pay attention to its reliability, map database and navigation capabilities.

I prefer products from trusted brands, the most popular of which is Garmin. The devices of this manufacturer are reliable and durable - they can even be passed on by inheritance. They have many functions that make a tourist’s life much easier, but nothing unnecessary.

The most important thing is the cards. A good navigator should have the ability to update maps for free. Sometimes the manufacturer provides them, but for budget models you have to look for cards yourself.

Another important option is the ability to work with the GLONASS navigation system, which allows you to very accurately determine coordinates.

Don’t forget about autonomy - your hiking navigator should not run out of battery at night in the middle of the forest or during a snow storm in the mountains.

Advantages and disadvantages

Owners of mini-trackers make videos about their devices, leave reviews on forums, and share their experience of using them. Based on this information, conclusions can be drawn. Among the advantages of pocket navigators are:

• compact dimensions;
• ease of use;
• obtaining exact coordinates;
• the ability to build a route;
• resistance to moisture and mechanical stress.

Users argue that it is not advisable to buy trackers that are inexpensive. As a rule, the battery charge in them is exhausted quickly. In addition, the beacon does not always show exact coordinates.

Best Bicycle Touring GPS Navigator

Garmin Edge 820

With a color touchscreen, GLONASS support, and high-quality maps from Garmin, the Edge 820 makes it really hard to get lost while biking. The 2.3-inch screen is small, but it is convenient to mount on the steering wheel next to the flashlight and other accessories. With a price of 28 thousand rubles, the gadget has a lot of useful functions for a cyclist:

• The ability to track the movement of the entire cycling group in real time;
• Current weather information, barometer;
• Communication with other gadgets, notification of calls and messages,
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi;
• Registration of road accidents;
• Compatible with ANT+ sensors;
• A program for cycling training with recording of dynamics, power, efficiency, stress points.

Waterproof baby weighing only 68g. runs on its own battery for 15 hours - you will have to take care of recharging

Price: RUB 27,990

The best navigators for tourism

Garmin GPSMAP 64

A well-known tourist navigator that allows you to take it with you on a hike or trip. Most people experience problems using navigation in their smartphone due to a lack of charge, so the manufacturer Garmin took care of introducing a capacitive battery that allows you to use the device for up to 20 hours. Warns of low battery several hours in advance. The advantages include a bright screen, everything is visible in the sun. The kit includes a free road map of Russia.

GPSMAP 66st

Improved model. Great functionality. Instantly finds satellites. The downside is the cost of the product, which is considered overpriced. Development made in Taiwan. Specially created for fishermen and hunters.

Garmin eTrex 20x

A modern navigator with a built-in map of Russian roads. Maps are loaded separately onto the flash drive. There is no button locking functionality. The device is not afraid of rain and snow. The built-in memory size is 3.7 GB, which is enough to download new maps and routes. Operating time is up to 25 hours. The weight of the device is 142 g.

Garmin eTrex Touch 35

Excellent battery operated device. Instantly finds satellites. Ease of downloading maps and tracks. The screen does not lag when used in the rain. Hiking and cycling will now bring a lot of pleasure. Easy setup. Performs well in both cold and hot weather. Displays the weather. Easily suitable for motorcycle-enduro rides, mounted on the handlebars of both a motorcycle and a bicycle. Buyers note the only drawback is the cost of the product.

The best travel GPS navigator and collar

Garmin Alpha 50 with T5 collar

Do you go hiking with your beloved dog? The Alpha 50 navigator with T5 collar will help you keep your four-legged companion in sight. The navigator with proprietary Garmin software contains built-in maps, but you can download additional ones, including raster ones. With 4GB of built-in memory, it's easy to store a large database. If you want more, use an SD card.

External antennas add sensitivity to the gadget, and support for the GLONASS system accuracy, water resistance allows you to work in dense forests, in the mountains, in the rain or near water bodies. For such powerful equipment, which also monitors the dog, the price of 44 thousand rubles does not seem too high. With a weight of 260 g. The navigator has its own trip computer and Track-Back function. Operates on AA batteries for 20 hours, you can connect an external power source.

Price: RUB 67,235

Navigator selection criteria

Receiver capabilities

• Signals to the device come from many satellites in orbit. How many of them can a particular navigator “work” with?
• Sensitivity. Not all devices that support stable communications in open areas function reliably in the forest. This is one of the reasons why navigators installed in cars, fishing or hunting are usually useless.

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Display options

• Resolution. The clarity of the image directly depends on this.
• Navigator screen size. There is nothing to comment here.

When deciding on a display, you need to take into account the peculiarities of your vision and prepare for the worst situation (the golden rule, which many people forget). For example, you don’t have glasses at hand, the sun is on the horizon or has already gone. Will it be possible to see anything on the navigator screen? And not just vague outlines of contours, but to see a completely clear picture, a diagram.

But whether the display is color or black and white is up to the user to decide. For navigation while fishing or hunting, this does not matter. A color screen is only needed if the navigator has special options for viewing, for example, downloaded files to pass the time. How relevant is this for a person who goes out into nature for a very specific purpose?

It is unlikely that anyone would exchange an evening around the fire for a film that can be seen at home on the TV screen. And considering that the cost of a “color” navigator is significantly higher, such a device is unlikely to be needed for hunting or fishing.

Duration of continuous operation

This indicates how often the batteries will have to be replaced. This determines how much battery you need to take with you.

Availability of memory card

Navigators without this service, which determine only the geographic coordinates of the standing point, will not let you get lost. But only on the condition that the person has a compass, a map of the area and is trained to work with them. For example, it is correct to “reference”, determine the sides of the horizon, and so on. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention not only to the ability to load information into the navigator (memory capacity), but also to the presence of a built-in magnetic pointer.

All of the above are nothing more than general recommendations. Manufacturers are constantly updating, introducing, and improving something, so it is unrealistic to cover all the nuances of the functioning of navigators. For example, is it possible to mount a separate device on a dog’s collar (for hunters).

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Anglers may prefer a stationary model that is installed on a boat or boat. Some navigators have an echo sounder function. For someone who goes to nature not just to sit with a fishing rod, but to return with a rich catch, this is an indispensable help. But a hunter does not need this option at all. But if there is a built-in barometer, it will be equally useful for everyone who is forced to rely on weather conditions. The same applies to multi-level screen backlighting.

And yet – which specific navigator should a hunter or fisherman choose for himself?

Not all the advantages of devices that manufacturers and sellers emphasize to buyers are tested in practice. Some functions actually turn out to be useless, others do not live up to expectations.

• Before going to the store, it makes sense to interview friends who already use navigators. Their opinion and reviews of models are more objective.
• You can learn a lot of useful things by “visiting” thematic forums. On them, fishermen and hunters openly talk about the problems that they face when using GPS devices in “field” conditions.

The author did just that. It turned out that the most popular among “average” hunting and fishing enthusiasts are navigators under the GARMIN brand. Firstly, the devices are available in various modifications, therefore, you can choose the most suitable series. Secondly, the functionality is simple, so understanding the peculiarities of the navigator’s operation is not difficult even for a person who is still familiar with modern electronics. Thirdly, the price of the products is quite affordable, and their purchase is not burdensome for the family budget.

"E-Trex" 10 series

The device is sold in a yellow-black case that meets all requirements for moisture protection and shock resistance. Screen size 43 x 36 black and white; simple menu; continuous work throughout the day. The memory allows you to store information about 1000 standing points on 50 different routes.

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Price – within 5,500 rubles.

The same 20-series device is capable of working not only in the GPS system, but also in the domestic Glonass system. 1.7 GB memory, color screen, 2000 saved routes and marked points. All this increases the cost of the device.

Price – about 9,800 rubles.

The best budget travel GPS navigators

Magellan SporTrak

An inexpensive model costing about 6,000 rubles from Magellan is simple and reliable. Nothing extra, but it performs basic functions properly. Compact device weighing 172 g. comfortable to hold with one hand. The device is waterproof and can float on the surface of water. Now the loss of a navigator at the bottom of the river will not be a disaster for the tourist group. Another convenient function is NorthFinder - indicating north. A monochrome LCD screen measuring 3.6 by 5.8 cm and a resolution of 104 by 160 pixels will help save battery. SporTrak runs on two AA batteries for 14 hours: you will need to take a pair of batteries for each day of the hike. The gadget has built-in maps and allows you to download additional ones, but it only has 1 MB of memory.

Price: ₽ 6,000

3. Magellan Meridian Gold

Meridian Gold costs about 6,500 rubles, has 16 MB of built-in memory and an SD card slot. Does not sink, can operate at temperatures from -10 to +60 degrees. In addition to the internal antenna, the developers have provided a connector for an external one. The monochrome screen is 4.4 by 5.6 cm and has a resolution of 120 by 160 pixels. The navigator weighs 227 grams. runs on two batteries for 14 hours. It tells you the phases of the moon, the time of sunrise and sunset.

Price: ₽ 6,500

The best wrist travel GPS navigator

Garmin Foretrex 601

A small navigator from the famous manufacturer Garmin works with proprietary software of this brand. The Garmin company is famous for its high-quality maps, which are available free of charge to the owner of the branded device for the entire life of its operation. Foretrex 601 runs on two AAA batteries for 48 hours. At the same time, it supports the GLONASS precision navigation system. The 2-inch screen has a resolution of 200 by 128 pixels, and the body is waterproof.

Additional functions are also pleasing: magnetic compass, barometer, alarm clock, timer, stopwatch, Bluetooth. The gadget can be combined with heart rate, speed, and pedaling sensors. For such options you will have to pay about 12 thousand rubles, but the quality of the device is worth it.

Price: RUB 15,497

The best inexpensive travel navigator

Garmin eTrex 10 navigator, at its low cost, has all the functions necessary for tourism. It is notable for its high sensitivity and compact size, while it has a simple monochrome display with a diagonal of 2.2 inches. The model is not suitable for use in the cold season, for example, on ski trips, as it is highly sensitive to low temperatures. The main dissatisfaction of users is the control joystick, which is located above the monitor. Since the manufacturer did not provide a lock against accidental pressing, new dots will definitely appear on the map after carrying it in your pocket. The problem is solved by purchasing a special protective cover.

The Garmin eTrex 10 model is powered by two AA batteries. The device comes with a USB cable and an instruction manual. The developers have implemented support for WAAS and GLONASS and added the Track-Back function. The stock has a built-in map.

Characteristics

• Type – universal portable.
• Screen parameters: type – LCD monochrome, diagonal – 2.2 inches, resolution – 128*240 pixels.
• Antenna parameters: type – internal.
• Path parameters: points – 1,000, routes – 50, log – 10 thousand points.
• Power parameters: type – AA, quantity – 2 pcs, operating time – up to 30 hours.
• Interfaces: USB.
• Dimensions: 54*103*33 mm.
• Weight – 142 g.

pros

• Duration of work.
• Ease of Management.
• Russified menu.
• Possibility of listening to music.

Minuses

• There are some problems with the firmware.
• Small display sizes.
• The memory card cannot be inserted.

The best premium travel GPS navigator

Garmin Rino 750

This is an excellent navigator, walkie-talkie and even messenger in one package. The 3-inch touch screen with changeable orientation allows you to see the location of all group members. When fellow travelers ask for your coordinates, simply press the PTT key, and the latest data will appear on all devices in the group. The screen quality is quite decent – ​​everything can be seen. Trouble has happened - one press of the Call Key will send an alarm to the entire team. The walkie-talkie works both in normal mode and through a headset. If you can't talk, use text messages.

Rhino 5 can communicate with a mobile phone and display call notifications on the screen. The gadget has 4.5 GB of internal memory plus a slot for micro SD. It runs on its own battery for 14 hours; in the field, you can also connect a cassette with AA batteries. It is compatible with GLONASS and has a three-axis compass and altimeter. For 41 thousand rubles you buy two devices in one. The result is that you carry less weight and free up your hands and space in your backpack.

Price: RUB 41,140

Comparison table of the best travel GPS navigators

Voting: best travel navigator

Which travel navigator would you choose or recommend?

Garmin Montana 680

100.00 % ( 2 )

AVEL DRC050G

0.00 % ( 0 )

Globus GPS GL-900

0.00 % ( 0 )

LEXAND SA5+

0.00 % ( 0 )

Becker Active 6 LMU Plus

0.00 % ( 0 )

TomTom GO 730

0.00 % ( 0 )

Neoline Moto 2

0.00 % ( 0 )

Prology iMap-5200

0.00 % ( 0 )

The most popular question about tourist GPS navigators

What is better to buy: a tourist GPS navigator or a smartphone? Modern smartphones have a GPS navigation function, but they are not suitable for every trip. Only certain smartphone models are protected from moisture, dust and drops on stones. When using a fragile device for navigation on a hike, it can be easily damaged. The second disadvantage is the charging method. Tourist navigators usually operate from autonomous power sources - you can take at least a dozen replaceable batteries on a hike. If spare batteries fail, it is quite possible to buy new ones in the nearest locality.

Which one is better to buy?

Today, the market for GPS trackers for tourists is very wide, so deciding how to choose the right device can be quite difficult. It would be advisable to be guided by the selection mistakes that will be mentioned in this review. It is imperative to find out the availability of certain options. For example, at the moment, the popularity of models that can record the distance traveled is growing. Therefore, it will be easy to find your way back with such a gadget.

The most innovative and high-quality devices are equipped with a color screen on which maps can be displayed in three-dimensional (3D) standard. Information about the height and depth of the surrounding area will be shown on the display. If the device is needed for fishing, it would be advisable to pay attention to models that are protected from moisture.

When choosing a GPS tracker for travel, you need to take into account the presence/absence of a USB slot, which is necessary to expand the built-in memory via a flash drive. If there are not enough integrated cards, you can download new data to a flash card at any time.

Some models are distinguished by the presence of a specialized carbine, which is very important when conquering mountain slopes and when climbing steep peaks.

Criteria for choosing a GPS tracker for a mushroom picker

For those who like to collect mushrooms, the developers have designed a number of types of gadgets for navigating the area. A lighthouse would be a reasonable solution, since a tourist navigator for the forest will continue to be aimed at large roads that are far from a walking mushroom picker during any hike. Models of such devices often look like key fobs with a small screen.

If a person chooses a navigation tracker for a mushroom picker, then this involves the formation of the correct route for the mushroom picker, which makes it possible to manage the entire distance covered. People who do not have special knowledge of the geography of the area can easily navigate by looking at such a gadget.

When choosing a travel device with a route recording function, it is necessary to pay due attention to the security of its shell, autonomy without changing the battery, and memory capacity.

In addition, the device replaces the latest version of the free Android phone app. These programs stand out due to the number of options and capabilities.

Installing the application is very easy, you must first download it and open it. Then the GPS mode is activated, after which the correct coordinates of the tourist are searched, immediately following the selection of the appropriate function in the menu.