The 7 Best Handheld GPS for Hunting Reviews

Handheld GPS device helps hunters, fishers, campers, and mountaineers during their operations. When hunting, you can use a handheld GPS machine to find your way back. Marines use GPS to measure the strength of waters in different spots. The best handheld GPS for hunting can log and do spatial data storage as you prepare to head into your hunting area in the forest.

GPS refers to the Global Positioning System. It helps in finding routes and storing data for future use. Apart from handheld GPS machines, you can find smartphones with GPS. Such phones can help you find your way to a particular place or look for nearby hotels and restaurants. Mostly, GPS works with Google maps, an application you can get from Google play store.

Handheld GPS goes hand in hand with walkie-talkies. With the best long range walkie talkie plus a handheld GPS, there is no way you can get lost in the thicket. You can communicate with your colleagues and know their ware bouts as well as locating them. Note that, a hand-held GPS for hunting can also be useful in other activities such as touring and camping.

How Does a Handheld GPS Work?

The devices work miraculously. For you to pinpoint your location, you can do trilateration. Pinpointing an area is the first thing in documenting a spot in the GPS. The process is easy due to the presence of around 24 satellites that orbit around the earth. To get an accurate position, you should rely on at least two satellites to give you the coordinates.

As I quoted earlier that GPS machines go hand in hand with walkie talkies, some companies have been more innovative in that, they have integrated a GPS into walkie talkies to have two in one. As you try to inquire about your friends, you can also locate them. The best long range walkie talkie 100 KM in most cases has a GPS. Initially, these machines were familiar with the military. However, the USA government later allowed the usage of the devices to the public. That is why you can find the technology incorporated in smartphones.

How do you Take Care of Handheld GPS Devices?

You want your device to last for a long time and save you expenses of buying a new one now and then. You should see that you take great care of the device. To begin with, see that you regularly clean the device using a blower. It helps drive out dust that can block the circuitry leading to poor performance.

Keep the devices away from children. Children may damage the gadgets, as they do not understand the importance of the machines. Some are not water-resistant. You should keep away from the moist environment. Keep it in a cool and dry place. Even the best waterproof walkie talkies cannot stay in water for more than 30 minutes.

What are the 7 Best Handheld GPS for Hunting?

According to my research, the following are the 7 best handheld GPS for hunting.

1. Garmin GPSMAP 64SC

The device is readable under the sun. Its screen displays colored content so that you can differentiate several aspects on the screen in their original appearance. The screen is 2.6 inches. You can easily read content without straining.

Again, the device has a dual battery system. You can use a rechargeable battery or opt for the non-rechargeable AA size battery. It works the same with any of the cells.

It has a large internal memory of 4GB. It assists you to save any data for future reference. Moreover, you can connect the device with ANT+ sensors such as heart rate sensor and temperature sensor and alert you when necessary. Again, it has a camera.

2. Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS

Garmin Foretrex 401is waterproof. You can work with it in the sea, river or lake. Again, you can work with it in a wet environment without causing any damage to the machine. It is thus instrumental in doing hunting with it.

The GPS is compelling as the machine has Hotfix that ensures that even when in the thickest forest, you can still find directions and location. Hotfix enhances signal reception by the device. Besides, it has audible readouts of positions so that you can get directions without even looking at the screen.

It has the largest screen display. Moreover, the battery can last for more than 17 hours of non-stop operation. It uses 2 AAA batteries.

3. Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro

The device can connect up to five devices at once to share information with them. It is compatible with iPhone 5, iPad mini, new iPad, and iPod touch 5th generation. It connects via Bluetooth technology.

Bad Elf comes with a large screen display with a backlight to help you see the content at night. It is beneficial for soldiers in the forest more so the game rangers who work day and night deep in the woods. The machine can store navigation data of up to 100 hours.

The battery can last for long hours while on the GPS mode. It is also waterproof that makes it ideal for fieldwork.

4. Garmin Instinct

The device is rugged for outdoor activities such as hunting and camping. It is rough to withstand harsh geographical environments in the bushes. It has robust GPS and features GLONASS and Galileo. In addition, it can monitor your heart rate for medical purposes.

Garmin Instinct has a 3-axis compass. You can always find your direction and location. It means that this is an all in one device and thus saves you money to have a compass. You can connect with smartphones.

The device is a watch as well as being a GPS device. On the smartwatch mode, it can last for 14 days while in the GPS mode; the battery can last for 16 hours.

5. Garmin inReach SE+, Handheld Satellite Communicator with GPS Navigation

The machine supports two-way communication using satellites. However, you must subscribe to the service. The army soldiers use it to locate each other. Moreover, it has SOS interactive service where you can instantly reach the rescue center and get help within the shortest time.

Using the free Earthmate app that you install in your smartphone, you can get free weather alerts, aerial color imagery, and many more services. The device has a built-in barometer, digital compass, and accelerometer.

Finally, the device allows you to track and share your location with your family members. They can always know your whereabouts. It is advantageous when you have gone to the bushes to hunt.

6. Standard Horizon HX870 Floating 6W Handheld VHF with Internal GPS

The device will never sink in water if it accidentally drops from your hands. It means that it is waterproof and beneficial to work under rain conditions. It can stay underwater of 1.5 meters depth for 30 minutes. It has robust Internal GPS that can help you get accurate location details.

Standard Horizon uses a 1800mAh lithium-ion battery. It can last for the whole day while on GPS mode. The battery requires a charging power of 110v AC and 12 DC. It can have a fast charge for 3 hours.

Finally, the device has a noise cancellation capability. When conversing with others, you can get them very clear. They are also able to get you.

7. Garmin eTrex 30x, Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin eTrex 30 x is waterproof. It does not spoil in rainwater when you encounter rains during your outdoor missions. Moreover, it can drop in a pool of water and remain intact so long as you remove it from water within thirty minutes.

The device has a large screen display where you can view things properly. Moreover, the screen is colored. You can see the actual nature of every aspect in a particular location. In addition, it has enhanced storage memory.

It has built-in sensors, which include Digital compass, barometer, and accelerometer. The compass enables you to get compass directions accurately. The barometer gauge gives you the atmospheric pressure. Again, you can share your location data wirelessly with your colleagues and family.

Bottom Line

Handheld GPS is handy for those people who like going for game hunting competition or for adventure. Even the game rangers rely very much on the device. A handheld GPS device with a walkie-talkie is essential while hunting in the bush with your friends. You can quickly locate others easily.

Most importantly, you should store the gadget in a safe place. When buying, I suggest that you select a Handheld GPS machine with a walkie-talkie. Moreover, do not expose it to water and moisture.