There are various outdoor activities that we take in the modern-day, like camping, hiking, fishing, and even trekking, among others. In the process of your exploration, you may get lost since you may have ventured into unfamiliar territory. For this reason, you should get the best basic handheld GPS that will help you navigate through unfamiliar territories that you may pass while exploring.
However, there are various brands and models of basic handheld GPS in the market; hence getting the best with great features that can be tricky. Therefore, we have decided to select the best basic handheld GPS with excellent features for you to select the brand that will make you happy.
What Is the Best Basic Handheld GPS Device on the Market?
Picking the Best Basic Handheld GPS
How to Pick the Best Basic Handheld GPS?
Here are what you should consider when picking basic handheld GPS for you to get the best:
#1. Durability
When purchasing a basic handheld GPS, you should check the construction material to ensure its sturdiness, robustness, and durability. The best handheld GPS device should be robust and durable for it to withstand accidental falls even on hard surfaces and still function. Additionally, the casing or the materials should be water-resistant. This is because, while exploring, it may start to rain, or you may visit humid areas, and when the device is not waterproof, it may get damaged and fail to function.
#2. Battery life
A basic handheld GPS is a device that is used for outdoor activities. It is mainly used for explorations, hiking, and even fishing, among others. When purchasing a GPS device, you should look for the brand with long battery life i.e., 20 hours and above, to avoid the disappointments of your GPS suddenly dying in your activities.
#3. Display
While out hiking, fishing, or even trekking, you will be using your GPS to read the map. When picking the device, you should go for bigger displays for easier readability. The display should also have a backlight for easy reading, even in the dark.
#4. Weight
A basic handheld GPS device is carried in your hand while you are out exploring. It can be irritating and tiring to carry a heavy device on your head. It may make your outdoor activity very uncomfortable. When purchasing it, you should go for a lightweight brand for convenience and comfort.
Best Basic Handheld GPS Reviews:
1. Best Handheld – Garmin eTrex 10 Worldwide GPS Navigator
Having this handheld GPS navigator with you is the best thing that can happen to you. With this GPS, you will feel safe, secure, and control where you are going. The handheld GPS navigator features a 2.2-inch monochrome display that will help you get clear imaging and readability during any day or night. Additionally, with an excellent resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, you are guaranteed to get clear and high-quality images during your outdoor activities. For fast positioning and reliable signal, this GPS navigator is WAAS-enabled with HotFix and GLONASS support.
Further, the high-quality materials used to construct this machine and its rugged construction make it durable and robust hence it can withstand any accidental fall and still operate. The high-quality construction ensures its durability, and therefore it will serve you for extended periods. This GPS is preloaded with worldwide maps. Moreover, you will enjoy your outdoor activity without worrying about the battery dying thanks to its 20-hour battery runtime. For protection against splashes, rain, and other weather changes, this machine has a rating of IPX7. The GPS comes with a warranty that will ensure the value for your money. With up to 10000 waypoints in this GPS, you can easily track where you have been and which route you have taken. Finally, the handheld GPS weighs only 5.00 ounces hence making it lightweight and highly portable.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Rugged construction
- Long-life battery
- IPX7 rating
- Ensures the value for your money
Cons:
- Inadequate internal memory
2. Best For Camping – Garmin eTrex 30x Handheld GPS Navigator
The handheld GPS features a 2.2-inch 65K color sunlight-readable display and an increased resolution of 240x 320 pixels; hence you can use it during any day or night and still get high-quality images. For easy navigation during your outdoor activities, this handheld GPS has a built-in worldwide map with shaded relief. Additionally, with this device, you can quickly locate your position thanks to its WAAS-enabled receiver that that helps it maintain reception even under heavy covers.
With a battery life of up to 25 hours in this machine, you will cover a large area without the worry of the battery dying. Furthermore, the GPS only weighs 4.96 ounces making it lightweight hence you can conveniently carry it for long hours and long-distance with ease. For your money’s value and to guarantee its quality, this GPS navigator comes with a warranty.
Moreover, you can load various maps, including the TOPO 24K, HuntView, BlueChart g2, and others in this GPS thanks to its massive 3.7 GB internal memory. For the storage of additional data, this device has a MicroSD card slot. For assistance, while taking a long hike, walk through challenging terrain or climate, it has a built-in 3-axis electronic compass and barometric altimeter.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Massive internal memory
- Built-in sensors
- Waterproof
- 2.2″ 65K color readable sunlight display
Cons:
- The screen is not touch.
3. Best with High Sensitivity – Garmin 010-01958-20 Rino 700 Handheld GPS UnitsÂ
This handheld GPS features a 2.2-inch sunlight readable displays that you can use to read easily when hiking, geocaching, or doing any other outdoor activities during any day or night. Additionally, you can use this GPS for long hours without the worry of the battery dying or recharging thanks to its rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery that will last you for up to 13 hours running. For easy and simple operation while exploring, this GPS features a thumbstick control.
You will enjoy using it for extended periods, thanks to its construction’s high-quality materials. Besides, this basic handheld GPS’s rugged construction makes it sturdy and robust hence it can still work after an accidental fall. You can also use it when it is raining or humid weather since it is water-resistant. With this machine in your possession, you can be assured to find your location and maintain it when you are off the grid, in remote locations, or heavy cover areas thanks to the high sensitivity GPS and GLONASS receiver quad-helix antenna that it features. Last, it has a position reporting feature that you can use to: send you exact location to your family and your friends with the same model so they can see it on their map display and request a position from people with the same Rino model and among others.
Pros:
- Rugged and robust construction
- Waterproof
- Position reporting feature
- Rechargeable internal lithium-ion battery
- 2.2″ sunlight-readable display
Cons:
- Expensive
4. Best with Internal Memory System – Garmin eTrex 22x, Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator
With this basic handheld GPS in your possession, you will explore with confidence because it is installed will great features that will ensure your safety. It features a 2.2-inch sunlight-readable display that you can read while exploring during any time of the day. Additionally, for improved readability, while exploring, this handheld GPS has a display resolution of 240 x 360pixels.
You can use this handheld to download and store maps that you will use for exploring thanks to its large 8 GB internal memory. Further, you can add more maps in a memory card and insert it in the micro SD slot in this GPS. With a battery life of up to 25 hours, you can explore with confidence without the fear of battery dying in the middle of your explorations. Furthermore, this machine comes preloaded with TopoActive maps with routable roads that you can use to explore. This GPS uses both GPS and GLONASS; hence no heed to worry while challenging environments. Finally, the quality materials used to construct it are durable and waterproof; hence it will serve you for extended periods, and you can use it when it is raining.
Pros:
- 8 GB internal memory
- Preloaded with TopoActive maps
- Lightweight
- Ensures the value for your money
- High-sensitivity receiver
Cons:
- Lacks the electronic compass
5. Best Water Resistance – Garmin eTrex 30x Handheld GPS Navigator
The handheld GPS features a 2.2-inch 65K color sunlight-readable display and an increased resolution of 240x 320 pixels; hence you can use it during any day or night and still get high-quality images. For easy navigation during your outdoor activities, the GPS has a built-in worldwide map with shaded relief. Additionally, with this handheld GPS, you can quickly locate your position thanks to its WAAS-enabled receiver that that helps it maintain reception even under heavy covers.
With a battery life of up to 25 hours in this GPS, you will cover a large area without the worry of the battery dying. Furthermore, the GPS only weighs 4.96 ounces making it lightweight hence you can conveniently carry it for long hours and long-distance with ease. For your money’s value and to guarantee its quality, this navigator comes with a warranty.
Moreover, you can load various varieties of maps, including the TOPO 24K, HuntView, BlueChart g2, and among others in this GPS thanks to its massive 3.7 GB internal memory. For the storage of additional data, it has a MicroSD card slot. For assistance, while taking a long hike, walk through challenging terrain or climate, the machine has a built-in 3-axis electronic compass and barometric altimeter.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Massive internal memory
- Built-in sensors
- Waterproof
- 2.2″ 65K color readable sunlight display
Cons:
- Has no micro SD slot
6. Best with Built-in Quickdraw Contours Mapping – Garmin Striker 4cv with TransducerÂ
When planning to go fishing during your free time, this handheld GPS is the most suitable brand with excellent features that will make you happy. The high-quality construction materials used in this GPS make it durable, and therefore it will serve you for extended periods. While fishing and it starts to rain, do not worry since this machine is water-resistant with a rating of IPX7. Additionally, it can withstand any accidental falls due to its rugged construction. You can use this handled GPS to explore during any time of the day thanks to its bright, sunlight-readable 4.3″ display.
With this GPS in your possession, while fishing in the lake or sea, you can create your routes and know the places that you have been thanks to its built-in GPS. Furthermore, you can also use it to view the speed of your boat. For clear imaging, photographic and wide view of what is passing underneath your boat while exploring or fishing, this handheld GPS has the Garmin CHIRP technology combined with Garmin ClearVü scanning sonar. Lastly, it weighs only 11.2 ounces and, therefore, lightweight; hence you can conveniently carry it around with ease.
Pros:
- Rugged construction
- CHIRP ClearVü scanning sonar
- 4.3″ bright sunlight-readable display
- Water-resistant
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Has no preloaded maps
What Functions Should It Have on Basic Handheld GPS?
Whether you plan to go hiking, fishing, camping, or exploring anywhere with your friends or family, a basic handheld GPS is one of the powerful things that you should consider carrying with you. The basic handheld GPS will help you in the following functions;
i. Navigation
While camping in the woods, hiking, trekking, fishing, or exploring, knowing your exact location can help you plan the direction to take next. With a basic handheld GPS in your possession, you can easily plan where to go next since it will help you determine your exact location.
ii. Safety
At times when you are out fishing, camping, hiking, or trekking, you may get lost. If you have a basic handheld GPS with you while going about your outdoor activities, it will help you get back on track. Additionally, some advanced GPS have 2-way radios, messaging systems, and satellite communications that you can use to send for help should you get lost.
iii. Tracking
Handheld GPS has units that you can use to track your every move, path, and the routes that you have travel and taken during your exploration. You can use the the handheld GPS to keep track of your adventures, track your progress out in the field if you are researching and, among others.
Conclusion
Basic handheld GPS is always essential in many situations; hence they should be part of your daily life. However, due to the availability of different brands in the market, selecting the brand with great features that will make you happy can be challenging.
