When venturing out into the wild whether you’re hunting, hiking, climbing, or all the aforementioned, most of us want to feel safe and secure. We also understand how important it can be to know where you are at any given moment.
Unfortunately, as we all know, your phone might not cut it in terms of locating you precisely, and that is, if it actually can gain signal – which is usually not the case!
The answer surely is choosing a good hunting GPS system to really give you the peace of mind that you’re looking for. If you’re trekking or tracking out in the middle of nowhere, you’ll know where you’re going with a good GPS.
After searching long and hard, we found that Garmin GPS devices were clearly some of the best available to date!
So here is a selection of some of the best Garmin-built, hunting GPS devices on the market today…
Contents
- 1 Top 7 Best Hunting GPS For The Money 2024 Reviews
- 1.1 1 The Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
- 1.2 2 Garmin Montana 680t
- 1.3 3 Garmin Oregon 650t 3-Inch Handheld GPS with 8MP Digital Camera (US Topographic Maps)
- 1.4 4 Garmin Oregon 600 3-Inch Worldwide Handheld GPS
- 1.5 5 Garmin GPSMAP 64s Worldwide with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver-(Renewed)
- 1.6 6 Garmin eTrex 20x, Handheld GPS Navigator, Enhanced Memory and Resolution, 2.2-inch Color Display, Water Resistant
- 1.7 7 Garmin inReach Explorer+, Handheld Satellite Communicator with TOPO Maps and GPS Navigation
- 2 Best Hunting GPS Buyer’s Guide
- 3 So, What’s The Overall Best Hunting GPS?
Top 7 Best Hunting GPS For The Money 2024 Reviews
1 The Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
A flexible and adaptable GPS device
The first of our GPS systems is the Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS, which comes with a highly sensitive GPS receiver and HotFix technology.
The integrated HotFix system allows this GPS system to work very well in heavily sheltered wilderness. This GPS functions effortlessly in locations with heavy tree coverage or large canyons and valleys – places where some GPS systems may not be able to detect.
If you want to keep track of your routes, then this Garmin Foretrex will have you covered with all your waypoints and tracks.
Additionally, this GPS includes a nifty little TrackBack function which enables you to retrace your steps. This function obviously could be a lifesaver if you happen to get lost in the hunt!
The battery life is a solid 17 hours in full GPS mode, with AAA batteries required. And of course, you can get the chargeable varieties of batteries for money saving tactics if needs be. Another nice feature is the dual positioning readouts, so you can gauge your real-time location in a format that you best understand.
Extra features that we really like are the hunting and fishing information that is given, sunset and sunrise times, as well as the barometric altimeter and electronic compass. These really give you that extra helpful info that you wouldn’t normally have in such an environment.
(4.6 / 5)- Highly sensitive GPS receiver.
- HotFix technology provides positioning in some of the most sheltered environments.
- Advanced tracking and waypoint system.
- TrackBack function to retrace your steps.
- Good battery life in full GPS mode.
- Multi-format positioning readouts.
- Great extra features for hunters.
- Locks in with satellites quickly.
- Comes in at a great price!
- The manual isn’t the best we’ve seen but OK.
2 Garmin Montana 680t
Advanced GPS technology
Next on our list of hunting GPS options is the Garmin Montana 680t. This GPS comes in at a much higher price in comparison to the previous GPS location device we looked at. However, it makes up for this with some impressive features.
The Garmin Montana 680t provides you with a whopping 250,000 preloaded geocaches for worldwide use! Of course, if you are just hunting in the US, then you wouldn’t think of this as such a benefit. Yet it should be noted that North American terrain is covered extensively.
If you want to really know your surroundings in detail, what’s great with this deal is that you get a 1 year free subscription to Birdseye Satellite Imagery. This can be really useful if you are a tactical hunter, wanting to scout out a particular type of terrain.
Well, this system is really kitted out to the fullest with its super-sensitive WAAS-enabled GPS receiver. It also has HotFix satellite tech and GLONASS support, all working together to give you some serious location data.
Of course, for all you hunters out there, the track manager software installed with this allows all the functions you’d expect for a high-grade GPS, including such things as track recording, routes, and waypoints.
Finally, we really love the last feature, which is the additional 8-megapixel digital camera. The camera actually geotags coordinates automatically wherever you take a photo. We think this is a great way to remember particular locations in a visual format.
(3.9 / 5)- 250,000 preloaded geocaches for worldwide use.
- 1 year free subscription to Birdseye Satellite Imagery.
- WAAS-enabled GPS receiver.
- HotFix satellite technology.
- GLONASS support.
- Extensive track manager software.
- 8-megapixel camera which automatically geotags coordinates.
- Quite a high price tag in comparison to other GPS devices.
- The software can be hesitant in loading sometimes.
3 Garmin Oregon 650t 3-Inch Handheld GPS with 8MP Digital Camera (US Topographic Maps)
A USA map focused GPS
We were happy to find a unique GPS that’s focused on delivering American topographic maps. Therefore, if you’re a hunter in the US, this GPS could very well suit your needs! You’ll be able to see highly detailed and up-to-date US maps, that other GPS devices might not have.
So this very portable Garmin features a 3 inch screen which has been designed to be sunlight readable. Also, the touch screen display seems to work very fluidly and intuitively.
This particular device utilizes dual-band GPS and GLONASS satellite positioning technology. This tech is integrated into some of the best GPS devices on the market today!
As well you get some high-quality sensors to help you with the hunt. A 3-axis compass, an accelerometer, and a barometric altimeter are all included in this clever bit of kit. These types of sensors can be very useful at painting a bigger picture of where you are, and where you want to go next.
With the Garmin Oregon, you get extensive route planning capabilities. Plus you can easily share many features with your buddies including waypoints, geocaches, custom maps photos, and tracks, if a have a similar device. You can even share your waypoints geocaches with photos, using the devices 8-megapixel camera.
Additionally, we think the dual battery feature with this GPS is great! You have the option of using conventional AA batteries or using a NiMH rechargeable battery pack.
(3.8 / 5)- American topographic maps.
- 3 inch screened portable device.
- 3-axis sensors for more detailed location readings.
- Dual-band GPS and GLONASS satellite technology.
- Share your routes, tracks waypoints, and geocaches.
- Pin photos to locations with the 8-megapixel camera.
- 2 battery options – one is rechargeable.
- 4 GB of memory.
- Displayed position not precisely accurate.
- Fairly high price tag.
- A short backlight timer.
- Slow positional updates.
4 Garmin Oregon 600 3-Inch Worldwide Handheld GPS
A more affordable handheld GPS
Here we have another model of the Garmin Oregon, which has over 2GB less memory than the previous Garmin we looked at, and no camera. That being said, it has all the rest of the high-quality functions expected from a Garmin GPS.
This handheld GPS comes with a 3 inch sun-readable screen and has a sophisticated multi-touch screen set up. So if you are experiencing some extreme sun glare, this GPS should be more readable than most.
It also includes GPS and GLONASS satellite tech, giving you two strong options for discovering your location.
Utilizing ANT or Bluetooth, you’ll also be able to share your locations, as well as other important data to friends with Garmin GPS devices. The GPS allows you to wirelessly share such things as routes, geocaches, waypoints, tracks and customs maps.
Again, like the previous Garmin, this more affordable option has two charging methods available. Either you can charge with AA batteries or with the NiMH rechargeable battery pack included.
You may be more limited with the preloaded maps provided with this GPS, and may need to pay for more detailed map info. However, if you’re using this device in the same location quite regularly, it won’t cost much to get map updates.
(3.8 / 5)- Highly portable GPS.
- Garmin GPS features for an affordable price.
- ANT or Bluetooth data sharing.
- Dual battery charging options.
- Ability to update map data.
- Still pricier than other GPS device options on the market.
- Have to buy updates for city maps and GPS for driving options.
- Might be slightly off with location data sometimes.
5 Garmin GPSMAP 64s Worldwide with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver-(Renewed)
Worldwide GPS tracking at your fingertips
Moving on now, we take a look at this world-wide focused and highly-sensitive GPS receiver. If you are looking to have accurate GPS data available internationally, this handheld could be the choice for you with 250,000 preloaded geocaches.
On first impressions, this GPS has a more classic looking design, with a small aerial showing and a few buttons on the front. We kind of liked the large buttons, as sometimes a touch screen option can become a bit tricky on occasions to use, especially if you are wearing gloves. Plus the antenna by quad-helix allows for a location accuracy of within 10 feet.
Reliability seems to be the name of the game with this receiver, which is reiterated with a top pick award. You’re presented with 16 hours of battery life which is ideal for those longer hunting outings. Plus a 4 GB of memory lets you store an immense amount of waypoint and route data with ease.
What makes this particular Garmin model stand out is that it can receive a signal in some of the thickest coverings out there. So whether you’re in thickly wooded areas, in a deep canyon or a valley, this GPS should stand you in good stead.
Plus, like many other Garmin devices, you have the data sharing option, making it incredibly easy to sync your hunting party with waypoints and routes that you’ve decided on.
(3.7 / 5)- Made for world-wide coverage.
- A classic buttoned and antenna design.
- Very accurate location readings of up to 10 feet.
- 4 GB of storage.
- Renowned for incredible reception it difficult environments and extreme conditions.
- Allows you to share important data with friends who have Garmin devices.
- This isn’t a touchscreen device.
- The preloaded maps can be quite limited.
Water resistant GPS
This is a very small, yet portable GPS device which features a 2.2 inch color display to work with. As well, the screen is made to be sunlight readable, which can be very handy on those clear blue sky days on the hunt. We also especially liked the waterproof aspect of this device, which obviously could be a very practical feature out in the extremer of elements.
With a 3.7 GB memory, you’re sure to have a lot of map data available at your fingertips. Plus there is the availability to add more maps with microSD capabilities built-in.
Unlike the other Garmin devices, this one is designed more for hunting. It has HuntView installed, allowing you to really plan and execute your hunting agenda for the day. It also includes Topo 24K, BlueChart g2, City Navigator NT and Birdseye Satellite imagery, making for some very solid data on the move.
As standard, this hunting GPS comes with a preloaded worldwide basemap, which even shows you shaded relief wherever you may be.
The Garmin eTrex has some impressive technology installed, to help you find your location in all types of terrain. It features a very sensitive WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, GLONASS support, and the trust Hotfix location predictor. As well, you won’t have to wait long for your position to be found with the use of eTrix.
Overall, we think this is a very practical GPS option for all your hunting needs!
(3.7 / 5)- Small and portable device.
- Sunlight readable screen.
- Large memory with microSD availability.
- Designed with hunters in mind!
- Full of well-known and proven technology.
- Worldwide basemap with shade relief visuals.
- eTrix provides you a precise location.
- May need to download other programs to suit your needs.
- Some preparation time will be needed to get used to the interface.
- Not as user-friendly as other GPS devices we’ve looked at.
GPS and worldwide communication in one device
Our final GPS gives you a very powerful extra feature that will suit anyone who travels to isolated regions in the world. This handheld includes 100% global Iridium satellite coverage, which allows you to send text messages from almost anywhere on the globe. You will need to subscribe for this communication service, but we know it’ll be worth it for some of you travelers out there!
We consider this GPS to be well suited for any avid adventurer out there and for the explorers of isolated regions in the world. If you find yourself stuck, lost or injured, this GPS features an interactive 24/7 SOS system. If you need to be found, you’ll be found with the Garmin inReach Explorer+.
What’s nice about this device is that it has a strong focus on communication. If you want to let your friends and family know you’re fine, you can easily share your location. Plus you can pair up with your mobile device with the Earthmate App to access all sorts of data! Once paired up with your cell phone you’ll be able to access such things as US NOAA charts and even aerial imagery in color!
And finally, we do like the extra features that accompany the inReach Explorer. The features include a digital compass, a barometric altimeter, and an accelerometer.
(4.2 / 5)- Communicate by text from nearly anywhere in the world.
- 24/7 interactive SOS system in-built.
- Let friends and family know where you are easily.
- Pair up your cell phone for access to more data.
- Handy extra features installed.
- You’ll need to subscribe to extra software for the text communication service.
- Not the most affordable of devices available on the market.
- May have communication difficulties in some very far reach places.
Best Hunting GPS Buyer’s Guide
So we’ve ran through various Garmin GPS receivers which all stand out individually with their own particular strengths, as well as weaknesses.
The most important piece of advice we can give you is to really know what your particular requirements are! We intentionally wrote this article with the hunter in mind, though of course, these GPS devices are not only for hunting purposes.
Any explorers, soldiers, scientists, and travelers can benefit from an intuitive GPS device like the ones we’ve covered in this article – it’s just choosing the right one!
The Best Hunting GPS For hunters
After some careful consideration, we narrowed the contenders down to two GPS receivers which were best for hunting.
An obvious choice as we feel it has been designed with the hunter in mind is the…
The HuntView technology installed on this device will help you discover public land areas and more importantly, boundaries to where you can hunt. More specifically, it includes information about National Park and forest locations and boundaries.
Our other best hunting option would be the…
This includes a vast array of North American topographic maps. We think these maps would be very useful for any hunter based in the USA. We also think the 3-axis sensors included in this product will be very useful.
An Affordable Best Hunting GPS Solution…
Whether you’re hunting or carrying out other activities, you don’t necessarily need to break the bank when choosing a GPS.
We included some cheaper GPS receivers in this review, which still do provide you with some very useful tools.
One that presents itself as a very affordable choice is the…
And what’s more, this device has a lot of features you wouldn’t expect for a GPS in this price range. The downside is you may need to pay to extend some of the features included, but this means you can customize the device for your particular needs.
Another affordable best Hunting GPS is the…
This lacks some of the features that it’s bigger brother possesses, yet holds up strong overall. Given its reasonable price, it has a lot of the tech you’d expect in a high-end GPS receiver. Again, you will probably need to pay to extend some features, but this can be a plus if you only require specific data.
So, What’s The Overall Best Hunting GPS?
Although this isn’t exactly aimed at the hunter, it’s just so good that we have to say the best Hunting GPS is the…
Simply because of its extensive communication capabilities.
If you are out on a hunt in the US or internationally, this GPS does a great job of keeping you in touch with your buddies and potentially far away family. It also provides you with very accurate location data, which is the ideal expectation of any GPS device.
To summarise, all the GPS devices we’ve looked at really impressed us, and we’re sure all of them would certainly benefit you in some way on a hunting expedition. Always remember that when purchasing a GPS, most likely you will have to pay for more detailed features that you need – so remember to factor this into your overall budget.
Also, have patience with your new device, and allow time to familiarize yourself with all of its capabilities, to really get the best out of your GPS experience.
