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The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is at the top of its class in terms of accuracy and reliability, earning it our top honors. It boasts a powerful quad-helix antenna and reliably connects to more satellite networks with greater accuracy than most other models. Even in less-than-ideal locations, like under thick tree cover or in a tight slot canyon, the GPSMAP 66st can maintain a satellite connection. When in the range of cell service, this unit can pair with your smartphone to overlay real-time weather data on your maps. Its 16GB of internal memory is more than double most other units and comes preloaded with topo maps for the US and Canada and subscription-free access to Garmin"s Bird"s Eye Imagery.

As expected, all of these attributes come at a high price point. If you intend to go on expeditionary trips or need high accuracy for field research, the Garmin GPSMAP 66st is worth every penny. For casual recreation, this device may be overkill. Additional features, such as wirelessly linking to your phone, require a cumbersome setup process. While this unit doesn"t feature a built-in touchscreen, we appreciate the large buttons and intuitive layout. The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is undoubtedly a powerful device, but it"s also easy to use, even in the most extreme field conditions.

For those seeking a straightforward GPS that doesn"t sacrifice much in terms of pure navigation performance, the Garmin eTrex 32x performs well above its weight class when compared directly with more advanced units. An excellent value that does not skimp in reception and processing speed, this device comes preloaded with Garmin"s TopoActive basemap, which offers sufficient data for those who don"t want to mess with having to find and upload individual maps. The available accuracy linking GPS and GLONASS networks is improved by adding a barometric altimeter and a 3-axis digital compass — two sensors often only reserved for much more expensive GPS units. Yet, this enhanced capability somehow doesn"t affect its size and weight. Just as small and lightweight as other models in the eTrex line, this compact GPS can easily be stashed away in a pack or tossed into a pocket for a day hike.

There are still some limitations to this otherwise impressive handheld. Even though it has the ability for routable navigation, the relatively tiny screen is not reasonable for finding your way around a new city via car or even daily driving. It is also still very much a base-level GPS unit — although it supports Garmin"s BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, it doesn"t offer the same level of connectivity as more advanced units. Similarly, many used to modern user interfaces will find the joystick and T9-style keyboards clunky or tedious compared to the normalized convenience of a touchscreen. But as a plug-and-play option for simple navigation or a durable, compact, and capable GPS for expeditions, the eTrex 32x presents an affordable option with more advanced capabilities.

The Garmin inReach Explorer+ is a standout, multifunctional device that keeps you reliably connected, even deep into the backcountry. With GPS navigation, SOS features, and satellite text messaging, the inReach Explorer+ stands out as a highly capable device. We used it for many trips, from alpine climbing in Alaska to trekking in the Patagonian backcountry. Although it is primarily a messaging and SOS device, you can also use the inReach Explorer+ as a handheld GPS. It"s easy to share your tracks and location via text messaging and social media. In addition to downloadable maps, the ability to preload waypoints and routes helps plan long trips over complex terrain.

The Explorer+ has far fewer navigation features and a more limited interface than dedicated GPS models. Still, it works well for simple navigation and tracking. The Explorer+ is also an emergency personal locator beacon, and we caution against navigating with and draining the batteries of your lifeline. But, if you"re okay relying on a single device and willing to carry a backup power source, this is the way to go. For anyone wanting to travel deep in the backcountry with a device featuring both messaging and navigation capabilities, the inReach Explorer+ is unparalleled. (We recommend the more compact inReach Mini as a personal locator and messager if you also have another means of navigating.)

To test these devices, we assembled an all-star crew of outdoor adventurers. Our head testers include: Chris McNamara, the founder of OutdoorGearLab, who at one point was calculated to have spent 3% of his life on El Capitan in Yosemite; Amber King, who when she"s not teaching science to her students, can be found covering long distances running, biking, or rafting in Colorado; Ethan Newmanwho is a climbing and canyoneering guide in Southwest Utah; and Aaron Rice, a ski patroller, avalanche instructor, and wilderness guide in New Mexico.

These lead testers — plus scores of friends and partners — took to testing these GPS units in real-world situations. From mountaineering in Alaska to ski touring in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado to winding through the canyon country of the Southwest, our testers used these GPS units in whiteouts, in slot canyons, and while temporarily stranded by flash floods to bring you insight into each device, pulled from real adventure epics. Our rigorous assessment combined time in the field with objective testing, where we evaluated everything from reception accuracy to memory capability to size and weight. We compiled research, closely examined features and ease of use, and noted when some devices shone and others failed. We utilized the expertise of our science-minded, adventure-obsessed testing crew to provide the most accurate, objective reviews available on the internet.

We tested these handheld GPS devices over the years — hiking, skiing, mountaineering, canyoneering, kayaking, mountain biking, mapping plant populations, and more. We have marked and navigated to waypoints, compared map drawing speed, and tested the compasses of each unit against a trusty old, magnetic standby. We logged hundreds of miles on foot in Colorado, Washington, Utah, New Mexico, and Alaska. More than a dozen people — who range from GPS experts to complete novices — used these units to provide diverse feedback and bring you a review of some of the best handheld GPS units on the market.

We rated our selection of handheld GPS units on six scoring metrics: reception, ease of use, display quality, speed, weight and size, and versatility. It is important to note that these are some of the best and most popular options available on the market; while scores may vary, the numbers are based on how well each device compared to the competition. Some of these qualities are undeniably more important than others, namely reception and ease of use. Without the accuracy of a satellite and the efficiency of a GPS, you might as well be using a map and compass.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Often it"s used to refer to devices — in this case, handheld — that can track and store timing and positional data. Though it may seem counterintuitive, they"re often intended to be used with a traditional map and compass. They are designed to resist water, shock, thermal stress, and any other harsh conditions you"d typically run into out in the wilderness. High-performing devices come with extras like cameras, topo maps, better antennas, more memory, altimeters, or internal electronic compasses. Baseline models are lighter and simpler and can often boast better battery life. Before buying your next GPS, consider if you need one, what you intend to use it for, and how much you"re willing to spend. It is important to consider your specific needs before purchasing, as these units often carry a hefty price tag.

The price of a handheld GPS tends to be tied directly to its performance, features, and amount of memory storage. The Garmin GPSMAP 66st has every feature you may ever need — with more memory than you possibly could ever need — but it"s near the top of the price spectrum. Alternatively, our most price-point model, the Garmin eTrex 10, carries only the bare essentials for tracking.

No GPS unit can substitute for basic orienteering skills, situational awareness, and common sense. They tell you where you are and where you"ve gone. In the unlikely event that you need to call for help, a Personal Locator Beacon is what you want. This review"s only unit that functions as a GPS and a PLB is the inReach Explorer+.

Alternatively, most people have smartphones with GPS capabilities and inexpensive apps that offer topo maps and tracking functions. Although this combination isn"t as accurate as a real GPS unit, they are good enough for many folks.

So, who needs a handheld GPS? Those who love to hike off the main trail, serial bushwhackers, backcountry skiers, and climbers who frequently descend on unfamiliar and poorly marked trails. Adventurers of this breed will benefit the most from a GPS, which can pinpoint their exact location and allow them to re-orient themselves on a map and find the way home. A GPS is also helpful in bad weather conditions (heavy rain, snow, or fog) or when hiking on a dark, cloudy, or moonless night. It"s also good when traveling over snow-covered terrain when the ordinary trail is buried, and the tracks of those who came before you may be unreliable (they might be just as lost as you — believe us, we"ve been there).

No. We strongly recommend carrying a map and compass when in unfamiliar terrain. Maps don"t run out of batteries or break if accidentally dropped off a cliff. They serve as a fail-safe backup to any electronic device.

The reception of your smartphone may not prove reliable in the backcountry. Smartphones rely on the combination of a cheap GPS device and triangulation between cell towers (and even WiFi) to dial in your location. Yet, many of the best hikes are in the mountains, deserts, or pristine backcountry areas with no reliable cell support, so your smartphone"s GPS sensors might not cut the mustard.

Still, in situations where they do work, smartphone apps like Gaia, Avenza, or Topo Maps are great and can quickly identify your location on established trails before resuming map navigation. Smartphone GPS works best in a region where a cell signal is available, but it may become unreliable when you enter the backcountry. Don"t forget to download maps before leaving cell or WiFi signals behind. A touchscreen model with automatic routing — like the Garmin Montana 700 — is a great option that can double as a driving GPS and for off-road travel.

In contrast to smartphones, handheld GPS units are burlier, with much better GPS satellite reception, more powerful navigation features, and supply better battery life in cold climates. A few questions will help narrow your search for the perfect handheld. After you figure that out, you can start thinking about all the bells and whistles — i.e., features.

Most modern GPS units are incredibly accurate and can pinpoint the device"s location to a resolution of 10 meters. According to Garmin, units that use the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) can be accurate to 3 meters or less. All the devices we tested use WAAS. To get even more accuracy, you can buy a differential beacon receiver and antenna to utilize a distance correcting Differential GPS (DGPS). Modern smartphones, in contrast, offer GPS accuracy of around 4.9 meters, according to GPS.gov.

We found that the highest performing — but unfortunately, also often the most expensive — models tend to achieve the best satellite reception. Units like the GPSMAP 66st include quad-helix antennae, which are quite sensitive even in dense cover. Electronic compasses — as opposed to a mechanical, differential compass — also improve accuracy when on the move and are included in expensive units like the Montana 700, but surprisingly in more affordable units like the eTrex 32x. Even without these additions, however, all of the Garmin units we tested provided quality reception. All of the units we tested carry receivers that accept both GPS and GLONASS satellites, so even price-point models — like the eTrex 10 — offer nearly top-notch reception in almost every situation.

GPS units usually come with a rudimentary basic base map that distinguishes roads but not much else. As we mentioned above, you can buy a GPS unit preloaded with topo maps or buy them separately after the fact. You can also free download maps and satellite imagery and transfer them to your unit. The United States Geological Survey offers a wealth of free spatial data. Most states in the US also have a website that distributes spatial data. If you want the best maps, often for free, spend some time tinkering with this data. If you want more convenient, straightforward map access, you can get them for around a hundred bucks from your GPS manufacturer.

The US National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) shoots high-quality, free satellite imagery (aerial photos stitched together) for the entire continental United States. You can also buy satellite imagery. Often this is unnecessary because you can plan your routes in Google Earth and then send files to your mapping software and device. Satellite imagery is hard to see on most GPS units and is rarely necessary for the backcountry. Like the GPSMAP 66st, some units come with a free subscription to Garmin"s database of Birdseye satellite imagery that can be downloaded on WiFi.

Each GPS manufacturer offers software designed to organize, analyze, and display the waypoints and tracks you collect with your GPS. Garmin"s Basecamp is our favorite. It"s simple, intuitive, cross-platform, and provides everything a basic GPS user needs. For example, you can easily see waypoints or tracks on Google Earth. It is also an essential feature on really basic models like the eTrex 10, which due to its lack of mapping capability, would otherwise be rendered useless.

Do you want a compact version like an eTrex 32x, or are you willing to haul extra weight — like the Montana 700 — for perks like a larger screen? Is a big GPS screen more important because you would like to quickly see information at a glance while driving? Or are you willing to squint for a more portable unit? Since all of the units in this review are handheld, none are huge — but there is a difference in screen size and display quality between them.

The Montana 700, with a 5-inch diagonal screen, offers the largest screen and the highest quality resolution. Its smartphone-like touchscreen makes navigation easy, particularly in a car. The Oregon 750t and GPSMAP 66st both have a 3.75 square-inch screen — nearly half the size — but more than adequate for a handheld unit. However, the major difference is that the Oregon 750t is a touchscreen, while the GPSMAP 66st is button-controlled.

So then, buttons or touchscreen? Touchscreens have a quicker response time than button units. However, they eat up battery life faster, can potentially freeze in cold climates, and aren"t the most compatible with thick gloves. We also found that most touchscreen GPS devices we tested weren"t as advanced as smartphones. Button devices work with thick gloves, have better battery life, and are more reliable in extreme temperatures. The downside is they operate slower, and typing waypoints is more time-consuming. What it comes down to is your personal preference. Do you prefer a more modern unit that operates quickly? Or do you value reliability above all else?

GPS units communicate with satellites orbiting the earth designed to read and triangulate signals sent from the unit. The Department of Defense manages the GPS network in the United States, a series of 33 satellites that transmit both positional and timing data. When a GPS unit contacts at least four satellites, it can pinpoint your position accurately, although terrain and conditions can affect this. Some of the units we tested can also interface with other countries" satellites, including the 26 satellites of the Russian GLONASS system or 26 more from the European Union"s Galileo network. The more satellites, the faster and more accurately you can identify your position.

All handhelds use the WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) to increase accuracy. Satellites send signals to WAAS master stations on the ground. This message is relayed to compatible receivers (like GPS units) to provide a much more accurate location estimate. GPS units that use GLONASS, GPS, Galileo, and WAAS will offer the best reception.

The fastest and most accurate unit we tested was the Garmin GPSMAP 66st, as that is the only unit that could access all three of those satellite networks and improve its signal with WAAS. However, many of the other units we tested achieved accuracy within 10 feet very quickly. Although the Montana 700 and inReach Explorer+ were nearly as speedy as the 66st, even basic units like the eTrex 32x impressed us with how quickly they could lock onto a signal after powering on.

We tested handheld GPS units. These units are capable of marking waypoints, tracking your route, making notes, geocaching, pulling altitude profiles, and much more. But they are also small enough to wear around your neck or stash in your backpack. Despite its two-way communication capability, the Garmin inReach Explorer+is also very portable. But the more features you add to a portable GPS unit, the larger and heavier they become. Handheld devices are popular for backcountry navigation, particularly because they are so portable.

However, not all units are created equally regarding portability, so it is important to consider whether you"ll carry your GPS in your pocket or plan to stash it in a backpack. The Montana 700 is by far the largest and heaviest unit in our review but still weighs just 14 ounces and is only slightly bulkier than a modern smartphone. The eTrex line falls at the other end of the spectrum — both the eTrex 10 and more capable eTrex 32x are small enough to fit into a pant"s pocket.

Just as a point of comparison, there are also a variety of GPS Watches that can log backcountry travel information. These are popular among trail runners, mountain guides, hikers, and backpackers. They are a great alternative to handheld units if you"re looking to go light but have a much shorter battery life and a significantly smaller display. They may not offer the same capabilities as the handheld units featured here.

Most units we reviewed are astonishingly versatile; sporting functions well outside navigation, ranging from flashlight to calculator to texting. We won"t dive too deeply into every function of each model we tested but rather will discuss a few important ones.

You don"t need that many waypoints to get you through a trip, even a pretty long one. Even 500 waypoints — the minimum number on the units we tested, on the inReach Explorer+ — is likely more than most people would need at one time. They"re also very easy to save on a computer and then delete after you"re back home. If you plan on holding on to waypoints from multiple trips, conducting detailed science surveys, or embarking on a mapping mission, aim high. The eTrex Touch 35 offers the best capability in the smallest package. But for many of these units, you can also boost your memory with a microSD card; only the inReach Explorer+ and eTrex 10 don"t support extra external memory.

Geocaching is a relatively new outdoor activity, essentially using a GPS unit or GPS software for a scavenger hunt, looking for hidden treasures all over the world. Most GPS units are set up for this somehow, and some of the ones we tested have preloaded geocaches so you can unpack and play. A huge draw for the geocaching crowd is that a modern GPS unit — with text display — allows them to go paperless. For easy entry to this worldwide phenomenon, the Garmin eTrex 10, thanks to its accuracy balanced with affordability.

The cut-off point between basic units and more sophisticated ones is usually an electronic compass. This allows a unit to display your heading while held in place. In contrast, you have to be moving for a differential compass to work properly. For some, this is a great advantage — say, during a whiteout next to a cliff edge. Many mountain guides prefer an electronic compass because it makes navigating faster and easier. Only the eTrex 10 doesn"t offer an electronic compass.

Another feature that separates high-performing devices from base models is a barometric altimeter, which uses a small sensor to detect air pressure and calculate altitude instead of relying on positional data alone. Barometric altimeters also allow you to track weather patterns and trends, which can be useful in the mountains when knowledge of a coming storm is crucial. Only the baseline-level eTrex 10 doesn"t come with a barometric altimeter.

A camera, microphone, and voice recorder can be nice add-ons to document adventures or field data fully. You can use these media options to mark a waypoint instead of typing one. We loved this option when looking back at our past adventures. Photos also help keep you on the trail when following a track. This is especially helpful for outdoor guides or scientific surveys. While many options boast a photo viewer, the Oregon 750t is the only GPS in our review to include a camera. But extras like that also come at the price of the added size.

Credit: Garmin High-performing GPS devices are able to share wirelessly — these devices come equipped with Bluetooth technology. A compatible receiver can quickly send track and waypoint files to another device wire-free. One of our main testers mentioned that this is especially helpful if you have another group about to embark on the same route you just finished. You can sync up devices and share your route in a few minutes. We recommend this for users intending to share track information with others. Bluetooth communication has become commonplace, so only the two eTrex models do not have this capability.

GPS units are great when you need them, but they don"t come cheap. A smartphone can get you by until you"re heading out on a multi-day backcountry trip guided by a map and compass, scouting multiple complicated routes, or conducting long field surveys. If you get to that point, you might as well invest because there"s no substitute for a dedicated, accurate handheld GPS unit.

My GPS is a Garmin Nuvi 2495.  It is a car GPS, with more than two years of use on my motorcycles on all kinds of weather, including this ride here, when I went through rain and hail (June 2016)

How can I start a story without bringing up some context first? Two main items come to mind.  First is that portable GPS devices for vehicles are likely on the edge of extinction.  Our smart phones take care of our navigation needs these days.  New cars already come with their own navigation systems or they have an interface to connect and in some cases display your smart phone on the car’s own dashboard or screen.

For motorcycles, things are a few steps behind. While some riders use their smart phones as a GPS on their motorcycles, you get mixed results for this kind of use.  For one thing you cannot operate all smart phones with gloves. Second, smart phones are more delicate devices and more challenged when under the elements and on off road rides on a motorcycle.

I’ve been hearing recently about “disruptive innovations.”  The smart phone is perhaps the most disruptive of all innovations of the last 10 years.  The I-phone, for example, is only 9 years old and together with other smart phone devices that were released right after the I-phone, they have transformed our lives and how we operate in all areas of work and play.  Smart phones virtually ended telephone land lines, they are pushing consumer cameras off the market (the so called point-and-shoot cameras are basically gone), they challenge laptops, they will end the use of credit cards, they are our office operations on the palm of our hand, and yes, for our topic at hand, eventually they will make GPS devices redundant, even for motorcycle applications.

For now, though, I appreciate Garmin, Tom Tom and all other companies who continue to produce GPS stand alone devices, offering them on applications that work for hikers, cars, boats, airplanes, motorcycles, even when it is likely that one day they will no longer be needed for several if not all of these applications as stand alone devices.

But I really like GPS devices.  My relationship with GPS devices started early when these products had just become available as consumer devices somewhere in the early 2000’s. The first time I used a GPS made me realize how convenient they are, and I remember exactly how it happened.  I lived in Columbus, OH, the heart of it all, at that time and had an ongoing project in Springfield, IL, land of Lincoln.  I used to fly frequently between Columbus and Springfield, this was the time when TWA existed and it had a hub in St Louis.  Remember TWA?  To fly to Springfield I had to change planes at the Saint Louis Airport, where I would take a turbo-prop plane for the short hop to Springfield.

On one of those trips, in 2003 I believe, I was coming back to Columbus. I had been dropped off at the Springfield airport and walked to the TWA counter to learn my flight from Springfield to St. Louis had been cancelled (side note: today we have apps on our smart phones that provide us with instant instant flight information – another disruption from this innovation, displacing a good amount of staff on airport desks – I fly may times in a year and I rarely, very rarely interface with staff in the many airports on my travels).  But this story is not about smart phones, it happened before smart phones existed, so when I learned about the cancellation of my flight, I also learned no other flights were available, it was the last flight of the day to St. Luis., and I was stuck in Springfield.

Well, there was an option, I could rent a car and drive to St Louis.  The two airports in question are 113 miles apart, a trip that is supposed to take 1h 45min if there is no traffic.  I negotiated a deal with TWA and rented the car, although they told me it was going to be a close call considering the travel time, plus the time it would take to return the car, and the time to get to my gate.

Luckily the rental car came with one of those early GPS devices, similar to the Nuvi 260 I would eventually purchase in 2005.  I was new to GPS devices, in fact, it was the very first time I manipulated and used one.  I entered the address where I had to return the car at the St Louis airport and went out on my drive.  Time was tight, there was no margin for error.  I instantly loved the directions given by the GPS, I was not going to spend time stopping to look at maps or backtracking after getting lost.

I learned how convenient it was to have the ETA feature (estimated time of arrival). As I drove south on 55 (incidentally a portion of 55 going north or south from Springfield is also the famous Route 66), I was gaining a few minutes on the ETA, traveling slightly (slightly, right) faster than the speed limit.  When I arrived in St Louis and merged onto I-70 west towards the airport, if memory serves me right it was somewhere around 7 or 8 in the evening, traffic was intense on I-70 and the ETA started going up.  And then I hit construction.

The road was closed for several miles, including the exit I should had taken to get to the airport, forcing me to exit I-70 and get on a detour.  I was in trouble by this time, I thought I was done with trying to arrive on time, I would miss my flight, and I would still get lost.  That’s when I heard another great feature of the GPS in action. As soon as I exited the freeway the words “recalculating” from the woman’s voice on the GPS came up and soon it put me on another route telling me again where to go, and I arrived on time to get to my flight. I was relieved. And I was impressed.

I have another very similar story when a GPS was a savior again, this one was in California in 2006, and this other story carried a bit of extra drama.  Maybe I will tell that other story at the end on this post, I don’t want to make the post yet longer.

What is relevant from this drive from Springfield to Saint Louis is that it got me hooked on GPS devices.  Not that I didn’t like gadgets already and not that I already had my eyes set on a GPS, but I learned how really convenient these devices were, there was not way back from that experience.  Sine I bought my first GPS in 2005, whenever I travel by car or motorcycle, I always want a GPS at my disposal. I love perusing information on my GPS, from the ETA, to alternate routes, to gas stations, restaurants, hotels, ATM, attractions n the area I’m riding or driving, besides the directions themselves. And now, with my latest GPS, I also have weather and traffic information, as well as telephone call notifications thanks to a blue tooth connection with my phone (here you go, the smart phone shows up again).

I agree with most people who say a GPS does not substitute a map.  I also agree that using a GPS can create a tunnel vision effect distracting me from landmarks as I get fixated on the directions the GPS provides me. Therefore, I strongly recommend that at a minimum the rider studies the maps of where he or she plans to ride before engaging on a trip with a GPS.  However, all in all, taking in consideration the appropriate caveats, I find GPS devices an indispensable tool for my car or motorcycle trips.

I’m not sure about the prices of Tom Tom and other brands that might be available for motorcycles.  But I know Garmin GPSes have a motorcycle surcharge of sorts because comparatively to the 395 and 595 devices, two years ago I bought a Nuvi 2497, a car dedicated GPS, for $130.  That’s a fraction of the price of the Zumo devices.

That’s why I use that Nuvi 2497, an inexpensive car GPS, on my motorcycles. As an alternative, or back up, I carry with me a GPS device designed for hikers (Garmin Oregon 450), I also carry my smart phone, and at least a paper map for each state or region I will be traveling on.

Despite liking GPS devices I’ve only bought three such devices so far, all of them Garmin devices:  A Nuvi 260 (more than 12 years old now), the Oregon 450 (about 6 years old, I believe), and the Nuvi 2497 (two years old) which is now my main GPS device. The three of them work well even after being exposed to all kinds of weather, from rain to hail, to sandstorms, to dirt and gravel roads. They have survived everything I encountered so far on my motorcycle rides.

What are then the differences between a motorcycle GPS and a car GPS? Are these differences enough to justify the price difference? I can tell you again: I still don’t know the answer to the price difference question. But let’s explore the possible reasons for this price differential.

To try to answer this question I looked at the official Garmin specs and the key differences across three devices: the two motorcycle devices (Zumo 395 and Zumo 595) and my Nuvi 2497 device. Lets talk about the price differences first.  The Nuvi 2497 I use cost me $130.  Today, a GPS with similar features, the Garmin Drive 50LMT, is rated at $230 (interesting price increase, but the 4 inch GPSes, like my Nuvi 2497 are no longer available).

That means, the Garming Zumo 595 costs 3.5 times more than the Garmin Drive 50 LMT, and the Zumo 395 costs 2.6 times more than the Garmin Drive 50 LMT.  If you don’t want blue tooth connection, you can get the Garmin Drive 50 for less than $200.

The Nuvi is not waterproof.  But is it really?  My two non-waterproof GPS devices have been on rain, hail and sandstorms.  And they have never failed. So far. 12 years and counting…

How do I manage that? For one thing, its case appears to be waterproof already from Garmin. Of course there are the various water ingress points such as the on/off button, the card slot, speakers, the microphone (the 21497 can be voice actuated) and the cable connection.  None of these are waterproof.  That’s when Gorilla tape enters the conversation.

The back of the Nuvi 260, you can see the marks left by the tape after it was removed when I retired this GPS (maps were so outdated after so many years it was cheaper to buy a new GPS).

I did the same thing for the Nuvi 2497.  I covered the on/off button, the speaker, the microphone, and the card slot with Gorilla tape.  After two years I recently took a closer look and realized it needs some adjustments (picture below shows the tape coming unglued).  But this device has never failed me so far. The thing is, even if it had failed, I could buy another two of them before I would get to the Zumo price.

Probably the most difficult component to keep dry is where the cable connects to the back of the unit.  I use a RAM mount (another important item that makes it work on motorcycles) and covered the connecting cable with Gorilla tape on top of the RAM mount.  In this case, I tried using Powerlet cables so the unit can be mounted and dismounted without removing it from the RAM mount.  But the Powerlet cables did not deliver the promised performance. More on that later.

As mentioned before, despite the improvised nature, this set up has proven to work, keeping this GPS operational under all types of riding and all weather conditions.  It is not perfect, it requires keeping an eye on it.  It is here where you can make your first calculation:  is the inconvenience of adding Gorilla tape to several parts of this GPS a problem?  What if water enters the unit and damages it? Well, how many times this has to happen, how many Nuvi devices you need to buy before you get to the price of the motorcycle version?  So far I’ve been using this method for 10 years without a problem, without failure.The bottom line?  I’m not sure making the Zumo line waterproof explains the cost differential.  But for me, since the devices I use have survived the elements so far, then the price differential does not justify it.

For a motorcycle device, this is different. You will be under the elements and under direct sun light. The TFT display with white backlight of the Nuvi (or the Zumo 395 for that matter) is not bright enough, depending on where the sun is.  Direct sun light is the worst possible scenario for these screens.  At night or on cloudy days it is fine.  A transflective display is great under direct sun light.  Is it worth the investment? If I were to buy one of the two Zumo devices for this reason it would have to be the Zumo 595, and then the $900 is too much, in my opinion. It is more than what I consider worth for the benefit of having the brighter screen.

So far, the cost of making the device waterproof and have a transflective screen may explain most of the cost differential.  However, these two items have not become essential for me to have on my devices, therefore, they have not justified the premium price. Therefore, let’s go forward and examine more specific motorcycle features of the Zumo line and how it compares to my Nuvi.

I would like to have the tire pressure monitors and the routing capability.  For the routing I use my Oregon 450.  It is small, since it is meant to be a handheld device, but it is very doable in a motorcycle application.  It would be more convenient to have all of that in one unit. That would be one feature I would like to have on a new device.

Then again, the reality is that I only really use it when going off road. Perhaps it is because of the inconvenience of having to bring the Oregon 450 with me, setting it up, is that the result is that most of the time, by a great, great margin, I’m only using my Nuvi, even when going off road. Point for the Zumo line here.

The tire pressure monitor is a convenient feature.  It hasn’t justified the expense to me yet, but in the future this is something to look into. Some motorcycles already come with their own tire pressure monitors these days. For now, point to the Zumo line.

A clear disadvantage for car GPSes when using on a motorcycle are the cables and the micro-USB connection.  The Nuvi devices devices come with a regular and large 12 V plug and a long and bulky cable and a very fragile connector with the GPS (micro USB). Besides being bulky, they are not meant to be connected and disconnected on a regular basis, where dust and water may get into the connections.  I’ve tried instead to use Powerlet cables, as mentioned before, but for some reason they don’t work very well.

Frequently these cables get disconnected, no matter how much tape I use to keep connecting points tight, and the GPS turns off or keeps turning on and off.  It is really a problem.  Therefore I’ve given up the Powerlet option after many tries and have resorted to plugging and unplugging the GPS using the long and bulky car cable.  It uses a bit more of Gorilla tape (I can re-use it but there is only so much the tape can take until it no longer seals the connections), but so far, so good…  If there is an achilles heel for the car GPS on a motorcycle application, that will be its cable and connectors.  Point for the Zumo again.

The bottom line is that, in my opinion, I don’t need to buy an expensive GPS to have a navigation system for my motorcycles.  There are risks associated with it but so far it has worked very well for me.

Maybe I’ve been lucky, but my car GPS devices have survived all sorts of riding and types of terrain without a problem.  Rain and hail have not been a problem, a sandstorm has not been a problem either. From dirt to gravel roads, nothing has been a problem for my Nuvi devices either.

But then again, why is the Zumo line so expensive? Is its waterproof capacity what makes it so expensive?  Is it the capacity (software) to offer a route and track system? The navigation software cuts across so many Garmin products, you would think there are economies of scale on the programming of the device. Is it the tire monitor pressure system? Is it the transflective display?  Are there other features I forgot to mention?  All in all, at the end of the day, I’m happy with the budget device I have.  Would I prefer to have a Garmin 595? Yes. Price it much lower and I will buy one tomorrow.

The counterpoint: There is one exception to my analysis. I do think motorcycle GPSes are really convenient on BMW motorcycles, since you can navigate the GPS menus without taking your hand from the handlebars.  The combination of the built n control and the GPS and its proprietary mount makes it yet more expensive.  But I do see value on it, something to consider. (Note: back to the disruptive innovation, I can see how eventually such a clever wheel (or similar device on a motorcycle) will control your Smart phone and hence your smartphone built-in GPS and the stand alone GPS will still be gone.  It is just a question of time, the wheel has opened the door for this possibility).

Meanwhile, when my Nuvi 2497 dies I will get the next Nuvi available or equivalent.  And as you can see, I don’t have an answer.  Maybe you have your own answer for how much you are willing to pay to have the one device that will take care of all your navigation needs on a motorcycle.

The other story I mentioned earlier, when a GPS was a savior, was in 2005.  It is very similar to the story in Springfield.  This time it was in Sacramento, California.

I was coming back from Sacramento, after a work meeting with a colleague of mine.  I did not have a smartphone yet, the I-phone was released in 2007, so I had my Nuvi 260 with me because we rented a car in Sacramento.

We finished our business, returned the car and went to the United desk.  When we got there there was a crowd of people around the agent. Yes, the connecting flight to San Francisco, from which we would catch our flight to Eugene had been canceled. No other options were available that late in the day.  My colleague had her daughter at home with a sitter and the sitter would not be available to stay another night, so she really did not want to miss the San Francisco to Eugene flight.

I brought up the rental car scenario to the United agent, they said United was not going to pay for it.  As we were negotiating this, and I do negotiate almost anything, another passenger, wearing a gray suit, arrived.  He was really agitated and just said: I will pay for the car and we travel together to San Francisco. I looked at my colleague, she nodded yes, and that was it. We had transportation.

Very similar to my story in Springfield, making it by car would be very, very close! Everything would have to work very well for us to arrive on time for the connecting flight.  The distance between the Sacramento and San Francisco airports is 105 miles via the faster route, and is expected to take just less than two hours to arrive.

We got the car, well the guy on a suit got the car (I can’t remember his name, I think it was Greg, let’s call him Greg).  As soon as we start driving we started to learn Greg’s story.  First of all, his flight was departing 3o minutes earlier than hours. If our time was tight, his was even tighter.

The second story Greg told us, as we are already on the I-80 towards San Francisco is that he was an attorney working out of New York City. He had come down to Sacramento for a deposition on a malpractice law suit against a dentist. As he is finishing his work he gets a phone call from a hospital in NYC, and he learns his wife had been admitted in the emergency area of the hospital due to a health issue (I don’t remember what it was, I think it was heart related).  His two young kids (under 6 years old) were at home with the cleaning lady.

This guy could not afford to miss his San Francisco to New York flight.  I became the co-pilot and operations manager. I think the car rental agency was National, and because now I learned Greg was really in a hurry I called the car rental company and got the exact location for delivering the car,  I took my Nuvi 260 out of the bag and entered the address and got an official ETA. The ETA was tight, very tight.  We would make it if we did not need to return the car. So Greg steps on it, we are driving upwards to 85 mph. My colleague on the back seat complains about the speed we are traveling and we both turn and say “shut up”.  Well, we did not say it that way, but we did tell her we would be fine, just relax. But we slowed down some.

So I had another idea, and called National again, asking for a curb side delivery of the car (as in deliver the car at the United departure area of the airport).  After a few back and forth conversations, and explaining our situation, they said they could not do it as we requested at that time, but offered to let us drive to National, close the deal (return the car), but stay in the car and an agent would drive us to Greg’s check in area.

The GPS helped us navigate the freeway system as we arrived in the San Francisco area and then took us straight to National. The agent jumped on the car with the paperwork, took the drivers’ position, and delivered us to Greg’s gate.  We haven’t heard from Greg since the time we said goodbye to him at the United desk in San Francisco, but we know he did not miss his flight.

Disclaimer:I’m not a professional rider, and obviously not a professional writer. I write this blog as a hobby and because of my passion for motorcycles and motorcycle riding. I’m not affiliated with any business or organization related to the content of my posts, I’m not paid to write and publish my posts. The potential income generated by advertisements you may come across on my posts are going to WordPress, the organization hosting my content. I pay WordPress to manage and host my content, I would have to pay more to have advert-free posts.