Fishing is a hobby for some people, whereas, for others, it’s an opportunity to bond with loved ones or even a tradition passed down the generations. Whichever it is, it has a profound meaning and is taken very seriously. Considering that, buying fishing paraphernalia requires great thought and extensive research.
One type of fishing equipment is a handheld GPS. A handheld GPS makes it very easy to track your location when in the water, and it goes without saying how helpful it can be in emergency situations.
Thus, we have the ultimate review of the best handheld GPS for fishing. It includes all you need to know about these, along with some incredible product recommendations.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Handheld GPS For Fishing
- OUR TOP PICK: Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
- RUNNER-UP: Garmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS Navigator
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: WonVon Mini GPS Navigation
Comparison of the Best Handheld GPS For Fishing
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What Makes a Handheld GPS Great for Fishing?
You may wonder if you have been in search of a good handheld GPS for fishing, what makes it good for the purpose of fishing. Well, there are multiple aspects of a product which makes it convenient for fishing.
Construction
It is common sense for a product to be sturdy and waterproof if it’s going to be used alongside water bodies. So, if by mistake, it does come in contact with the water, it’s still good to work.
Buoyancy
Many units now are buoyant, which allows them to float on water. This is another great addition to traditionally designed GPS devices. The reason behind this is if you do drop it in the water, it remains on the surface, so you can easily pick it up.
Battery Life
Moving along, another great feature to look into is long battery life. You do not want to be stuck with a failed GPS in the middle of nowhere, thus, opt for a unit that has a long battery life so it can last longer out there.
Large LCD
Having a readable, large, colorful LCD screen helps you to view the display under the blazing sunlight, as well as unfavorable conditions, which can be of great convenience.
Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
How to Choose a Handheld GPS
There are certain factors that one needs to look for when buying a handheld GPS for fishing. These will ensure that the product you are considering to buy is worthy of investment and proves to be useful for you in the long run. Have a look:
Accessibility
Invest in a unit which is capable of downloading and saving added information. GPS these days are software compatible to allow such a thing, which makes them more accessible to people. Furthermore, it would be great if a device allowed you to share the route and maps with compatible devices so you can guide people along with you.
Garmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS Navigator
Durability
You won’t be keeping your GPS at home and safe as it is going to be used in situations where it may come in contact with water and extreme weather. Thus, it should be built to be protected against such a thing. Invest in a unit that is durable, as well as sturdy so it can be a good investment in the long-run.
Convenience
The unit should be easy to read. Thus, look for one that can be read easily under the blazing sun too. Invest in a product with a colorful, large screen so it can be easy for you to view. Furthermore, the unit should be convenient to travel with as well, so it should be constructed to be lightweight and portable.
Review of the Best Handheld GPS For Fishing
There are plenty of products out there on the market, which makes it hard for one to select a single unit. Having that in mind, we have some of the best handheld GPS devices for fishing. They are highly reliable and accurate and make a great investment.
Best Overall:
Garmin Foretrex 401 Waterproof Hiking GPS
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very impressed with the performance of this product. Firstly, it is highly versatile in terms of features and applications. Furthermore, it is durable and can be of use for longer intervals due to its impeccable battery. Thus, overall, it proves to be a consumer favorite unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It features an impeccable 17h battery that allows it to be of greater usage as it lasts longer. Furthermore, it has multiple interesting features such as trip computer, sunrise/sunset times, hunting/fishing information, etc., which ensures that you’re in good hands when you’re out there.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is great if you want to go camping or perhaps are considering to hunt or fish. It carries features like Tracback, which can trace your path and display it on a large screen. It is very trustworthy equipment and proves to be a great tool when navigating through the wild.
Bottom Line
All in all, this product has successfully made it to our best overall position and for a good reason. This is perhaps one of the most accurate GPS systems on the market. It proves to be a great piece of equipment to travel with. Furthermore, it is solid, as well as convenient to use.
Runner-up:
Garmin GPSMAP 78S Marine GPS Navigator
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
The product seems to be very loved by consumers. The reason is the array of features it carries. It is highly accurate and carries a very innovative design, which makes operation easy. Even though some users did find that it is hard to keep the backlight on in the product, they have no regrets about the investment they made.
Why it Stands Out to Us
This model caught our attention as it is highly reliable for its intended use. It carries a ton of features that ensure that the operation and performance are beneficial to the consumer. It features a 3-axis tilt electronic compass, which shows the right direction even if you’re standing still without holding it level.
Who Will Use This Most
We find that this unit is built for those of you who have a liking for adventures. It is built to deal with harsh conditions and adversities kept in mind. The product is waterproof and capable of displaying an altitude position with great accuracy. It even allows one to share waypoints and tracks wirelessly with compatible devices.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this model has rightfully made it to the runner-up spot on this list. It features an extensive list of pros that largely outweigh its cons, making it a worthy investment. The unit is a great tool that proves to be handy when on an outdoor trip.
Best for the Money:
WonVon Mini GPS Navigation
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
As a whole, this model greatly impressed consumers with its performance. They were pleased to see a product with such a practical and simple design capable of achieving so much. Even though some of them did have a hard time getting used to the product, the performance was worth it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The product is lightweight and portable and it comes with a keychain, thus, it’s convenient to handle. Furthermore, it has been constructed out of aluminum alloy that is highly durable, sturdy, and anti-rust. Thus, it proves to be a long-term investment.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are a GPS beginner, then this unit is the perfect one for you. The design is simple yet carries all the features that are needed for its proper operation and is found in a valuable tool for survival. Furthermore, it doesn’t break the bank, thus it is accessible to more people.
Bottom Line
This product is of great value, therefore, it is considered to be the best overall for the money on our list. It features a highly reliable and simple design that is easy to figure out. Plus, the unit doesn’t break the bank, thus, it's a good investment to make.
4. Garmin GPSMAP 62St
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
This product seems to have taken the market by storm. Buyers are very happy with this and find it to be a great investment. The design is incredibly ergonomic, and the unit is easy to work with. Some buyers find that the manual isn’t detailed enough, however, they were willing to overlook it because of the unit’s functionality.
Why it Stands Out to Us
It has a 100k topographic data for the U.S and the worldwide base map as well with shaded relief. Furthermore, the LCD is easy to read as it can be read in sunlight as well. It is compatible with the Custom Maps software, allowing it to download paper and electronic maps.
Who Will Use This Most
This product is perfect for hiking, fishing, and hunting. It features a sunlight-readable display which is convenient to view for buyers. Furthermore, it has an electronic compass and barometer altimeter, which allows it to measure precise bearings and altitude measurements.
Bottom Line
All in all, this product is slightly up there in price, however, the construction and performance make it worthy of investment. It is highly accurate and built to be great for fishing and hunting. Furthermore, its construction is sturdy and durable, thus, it is long-lasting.
5. Magellan eXplorist 310
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers are very happy with this unit. It features a design that is equipped with many features to make the most of it. It is highly advanced and functional. The durable construction and waterproof nature allow it to work perfectly outdoors. Furthermore, it’s highly accurate, as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
They aren’t many products quite like this. It has been constructed to be highly durable as it is IPx7 waterproof. Furthermore, the overall construction is durable, as well as sturdy. Moreover, it is capable of being highly accurate up to 3 to 5 meters for a superior navigating experience.
Who Will Use This Most
If you feel like your currently owned GPS device always runs out of battery, then this unit is worthy of switching to. The product features a great battery life of 18h. Furthermore, it is capable of handling harsh conditions well, due to its sturdy and durable design, which is waterproof as well.
Bottom Line
Last but certainly not least, this product proves to be one of the best out there. Furthermore, it features a phenomenal design that is highly reliable. It is well-constructed and can be incredibly sturdy and handle harsh outdoor conditions well.
Handheld GPS vs. Phone For Fishing - Comparison Overview
People are often skeptical about investing in a separate GPS device as they feel like they have it on their phone. So, why would they want to spend money on another investment.
If you are on the fence about making a purchase, perhaps you should look at the side by side similarities and differences between using a phone for fishing and a handheld GPS.
Similarities
When it comes to using GPS on your phone as compared to a handheld device, the biggest similarity between the two is portability. Both your smartphone and your handheld GPS device will prove to be portable as they are lightweight and get the job done.
Differences
When one talks about the differences between the two devices, there are quite a lot of them:
Capability to Handle Different Conditions
Smartphones aren’t as well equipped to handling harsh outdoor conditions, like GPS devices are, since they are more fragile and susceptible to damage.
Navigation
GPS devices prove to be better at navigation, as this is their sole purpose. They extract data from prominent mapping companies to enhance the experience, which can’t be said for smartphone apps.
Plus, if one invests in a GPS device, they will have the advantage of having a maintained connection, whereas, the cellular network isn’t available in all places.
Battery
If you engage your phone in using the maps app, it will drain your battery as it has background apps working, whereas a GPS device has greater battery life because its navigation is its main function. You could also be missing updates and calls from family or friends if your phone is being utilized for navigation.
How to Use a Handheld GPS
Knowing how to use a handheld GPS is a life skill that could come in handy in a lot of situations. Imagine being lost with a GPS device, you could simply find your way back to the campsite without any worries. Let’s take a look at the step by step guide on how to use a handheld GPS:
A GPS can be thought of as a map with a brain and memory. If you are just starting out with using a GPS, then it’s better to opt for a beginner level option, which is straightforward and practical.
A GPS can show you where you are, as well as in which direction you are heading. Some units don’t offer mapping but give you grid references so you can locate it on the screen and then find it on an ordinary map. Advanced units offer mapping, making things even easier.
Moreover, you can download a route from software on your GPS and follow it to reach your destination. Afterward, you can upload the updated information on the computer to keep track of your walk. You can locate hidden treasures as well using the geocaching feature.
Furthermore, a GPS uses a series of satellites to show you where your location is by grid reference or by bearing. It can even show the altitude or speed. All of these can be great features for hiking, hunting, or fishing.
If you still feel like you don’t quite understand how to use a handheld GPS after reading the descriptions, head over to the video below to get a better understanding of how to operate a GPS device.
Conclusion
Buying a good GPS device is highly beneficial. It has a very straightforward and simple use, but it makes a great impact on your life. And this is particularly important if you often go off wandering in the woods or like to explore nature as it would help you in making your way back to your campsite or cabin in no time. Be it fishing or surveying, a GPS is a must.
Therefore, this post aimed to help you buy the perfect handheld GPS for you. It included all you needed to know on how to operate the device, what to look for in them, and also mentioned some incredible product options to consider. Hopefully, by the time you reach this section, you will have a good idea of which device to invest in.
People Also Ask
People tend to have queries when it comes to buying a handheld GPS for fishing. Thus, we took the ones you most frequently asked to help you clear up any confusion that you may have. This will help you understand the product better. Let’s take a look at them:
How Accurate is a Handheld GPS?
When it comes to a commercial-grade GPS, they can obtain coordinates that have a horizontal accuracy of 3 meters. This is, however, if the unit is capable of receiving a wide-area augmentation signal or WAAS. If that isn’t the case, then the accuracy is about 10 meters.
Can You Survey With a GPS?
Yes, a GPS can be employed for land surveying. However, the devices that are used for the purpose of surveying are much more expensive and complex than those used in regular life. They are more accurate than regular GPS and are built for the job as they have a 1-centimeter horizontal accuracy and 2-centimeter vertical accuracy.
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