Taking an excursion into the unknown is an experience most people don’t get to enjoy.
While it can be great fun, it’s even better when you can find your way back! Which is what these GPS units will help you with.
You’re going to want something with a great build quality, price point, and overall value. All of these units offer those features.
Here are the 4 Best GPS Navigators for your UTV:
1. Garmin GPSMAP 64st, TOPO U.S. 100K with High-Sensitivity GPS and GLONASS Receiver
The Garmin 64st has a color display and is in the mid-tier price range for this category.
It consistently has rave reviews from customers about its durability and effectiveness, which is why it’s our top pick.
Features include a 16 hour battery life, dual battery system, IPX7 water resistance rating, and a wireless upload capability.
This Bluetooth compatible device has maps preloaded for the USA or Canada, so if you end up purchasing it make sure you get the correct model.
It’s lightweight at 8 ounces and the waterproof rating means you will be fine leaving this in the elements(as long as it doesn’t get submerged in water at a depth of more than 1 meter).
Set waypoints, plan typical routes, and geocaches from the main menu. In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, this unit has a GLONASS and GPS receiver.
Why is Bluetooth so important? If you’re out with your friends on a trip and want to download maps with these units, this makes it possible. Which is one of the coolest and most helpful features it has.
2. Garmin eTrex 20x, Handheld GPS Navigator, Enhanced Memory and Resolution, 2.2-inch Color Display, Water Resistant
eTrex 20x is a budget friendly option from Garmin for those who want a solution and are willing to go a little bit lower tech compared to recent innovations.
This has a GPS receiver with GLONASS support to make sure your position is accurate.
The build quality is also notable. The hard casing is made to stand up to abuse and it has a IPX7 water resistant rating.
With a battery life of up to 25 hours, it does better than most models. There’s also an sd memory card slot if you need more memory, which you may not! It 3.7 GBs of memory to start with.
An issue some have had however, is that it can take a bit of time to calibrate location. In this price range, everything isn’t going to be perfect.
3. Garmin Montana 680t
At the upper end of the price bracket, the Garmin Montana is a lauded choice. The device comes preloaded with TOPO US 100K map.
The touch screen is glove friendly. If you’re riding along you won’t need to take them off to navigate the screen.
Like the other units, it’s IPX7 waterproof rated and you’ll get up to 22 hours of battery life out of this unit. There is also an 8MP camera built-in.
It uses the GLONASS and GPS combo to pinpoint your location. An altimeter is included to track your height as well. If you’re looking for a higher end fancy unit, this could be a good choice.
From an overall value point? Hmm, we think it’s hard to beat the first option but this is a very popular model with offroaders.
4. Garmin Oregon 700 Handheld GPS
The Garmin Oregon is another mid-tier unit with a great overall value.
It offers a fancy colored touchscreen with precise GPS/GLONASS pinpointing and a solid waterproof build quality.
The 3 axis tilt will pinpoint your elevation and it has an accelerometer as well. With Wifi and Bluetooth capabilities you can get live weather information displayed straight to your screen.
Planning a hike or offroad adventure just got a little easier! Besides all the standard features, the colorful screen displays make this a fun device to play around with. It offers features similar to much higher priced models.
FAQS
Should I buy a stand alone unit or use my phone/iPad for GPS?
The main benefit of buying one of these units is having a dedicated device for your GPS needs. They will perform well in any weather condition. But, does that mean you absolutely need one?
No, we don’t think so. You can use a tablet loaded with an app if you wish. You could use PocketEarth and download offline maps if you’re on iOS. This won’t be as fancy but it’s a budget solution.
What is GLONASS?
Everyone has heard of GPS, but maybe you’re unfamiliar with GLONASS. It’s the same thing pretty much. A satellite system that supplements GPS. It was launched by the Soviet Union in 1982 and has come into relevancy for helping make coordinates more accurate.
What are geocaches?
Geocaching is a way to mark a destination where you can find an object or a logbook. It’s a fun activity for those looking to get off the beaten path and have a goal in mind during an adventure.
If you’d like to learn more about it, this wikipedia article is a great resource. In summary, you can turn offroading into a treasure hunt.
Conclusion
There are a plethora of options for GPS and finding the best routes for your trip. Some lower tech choices include using pre-downloaded maps on a tablet or your phone.
But, if you want to purchase on a dedicated unit, there is one choice that we think stands above the best in overall value. The Garmin 64st does it for us. Hopefully, we helped make your choice a bit easier.
If we did, let us know how one of these units worked out for you. And thanks for reading 🙂