Best Mountain GPS 2024

As usual at this time of year, we take a look at the mountain GPS market to find out what's new for 2024, and more importantly, to help you choose the right one for you. best mountain GPS according to your needs.

In the course of this article we will look at everything you need to know about this type of device so that you can decide what you need and what you don't need, we will compare all Garmin and Two Nav mountain models for 2024 and we will see why a Smartphone cannot (always) replace a GPS in the mountains. All this we will see later because now we will go to the point, we begin with our TOP 3+1 of the best mountain GPS according to type of user.

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Our top 3+1 in mountain GPS

These are for us the best mountain GPS 2024 that we recommend according to the type of user:

Garmin eTrex32x:

If you are looking to buy your first GPS (or renew your old one), not the cheapest but a good GPS that fulfils all the necessary requirements and more, and with the best quality/price ratio (usually around 200-250 euros), this is the one for you.

The eTrex32x has been in this ranking since 2020. It is the most complete model of the eTrex series, the best-selling model for hiking and mountain activities in general. The eTrex32x is a very precise device thanks to its GNSS compatibility (GPS and GLONASS), small in size (5.4 x 10.3 x 3.3 cm), battery powered, with a long battery life (25 hours), with all the functions you need (upload and record tracks, waypoints, display maps, etc.) and at the best price. Its total management through joystick and buttons will allow you to handle it in the most adverse conditions. It has a 240×320 pixel screen that surpasses that of other superior models, such as the GPSMAP64 and GPSMAP65 series. A great buy.

The difference with the eTrex22x is that the eTrex32x features a built-in barometric altimeter, 3-axis compass and wireless connectivity.

General features eTrex32x:

Two Nav Adventure 2 Plus

If you're looking for a high-end GPS and your priority is the screen, the Aventura 2 Plus has a 3.7″ touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels.

We like Two Nav's GPS devices for their design, screen and great connectivity. Two Nav's Aventura 2 Plus offers a 3.7″ touchscreen with a 480 x 640 pixel resolution. Unlike its siblings Roc, Cross Plus and Terra, the Aventura 2 Plus has buttons and a joystick that allow it to be operated in the most adverse conditions. Likewise, of the 4 models designed for mountain activities, this is the only one with a removable battery. The autonomy of the others is too short for multi-day hikes.

Accuracy is assured thanks to its GNSS compatibility (GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO and BEIODOU).

If we look at the display, the natural comparison to the Garmin models is with the Montana series. The Two Nav Aventura 2 Plus convinces us more than these because of its size (8.0 x 13.1 x 3.1 cm). We find the Montana too big for mountain use (8.76 x 18.3 x 3.27 cm).

General characteristics Adventure 2 Plus:

Garmin GPSMAP67i:

If you are looking for a GPS receiver and satellite communication system in a single device, this is the one for you. The GPSMAP67i is designed for the most demanding users, offering maximum accuracy in the worst conditions thanks to its external antenna, GNSS compatibility (GPS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU, IRNSS) and multi-band technology.

The GPSMAP67i is the Garmin model we've been waiting years for. Extended GNSS compatibility (GPS, GALILEO, QZSS, BEIDOU, IRNSS), multiband technology and inReach satellite communication system in a single device. Compared to the Garmin model we previously recommended (eTrex32x), the GPSMAP67i makes a significant leap in connectivity. We don't like the fact that the battery is now integrated but, with 180 hours of autonomy, we quickly forgive it.

The dimensions of this GPS are slightly larger than those of the eTrex series (6.2 x 16.3 x 3.5 cm) compared to (5.4 x 10.3 x 3.3 cm) of the eTrex32x. Button operation allows for use in the most adverse conditions.

inReach technology is very useful for communicating when there is no phone coverage, sharing your GPS position or sending an SOS message. Essential for those who like to go alone in the mountains. It does require an annual (15, 30 or 60€/month) or monthly (20, 40 or 75€/month) subscription, plus an annual (35€) or monthly (40€) registration fee.

The 240×400 pixel screen (like the 66 series) outperforms the previous series, except for the Montana series, which we find too bulky for mountain activities. It is, however, well below the Two Nav Aventura 2 Plus model which offered 480×640 pixels.

Among the GPS models incorporating inReach technology, the GPSMAP67i is superior in performance to the inReach SE+, inReach Explorer + (better display, Galileo system, possibility of installing all types of maps) and GPSMAP66i (autonomy and multi-band technology).

General characteristics GPSMAP67i:

Blackview BV5300 Plus

Maybe you don't need a GPS but you do need to keep your phone or camera safe on those rainy days. These types of smartphones are much worse value for money than the non-rugged mobile phones we are used to, they are more cumbersome and don't have the reliability of a dedicated GPS, but they do bring together camera, GPS and mobile phone in one device. A good option of this type at a very reasonable price is the BlackView BV5300 Plus

As said before, maybe you don't need a GPS only, but a rugged phone. In that case, the Blackview BV5300 Plus is a good option at an affordable price (€190). It has passed the 1.5m drop test and the IP68 (dustproof and submersible to 1.5m for 30 minutes) and IP69K tests. It has a 6.1″ screen with a resolution of 720x1560px. It has a rear camera (13Mp) and front camera (5Mp). It has an 8GB Ram and 128GB Rom and a 6580Mah battery.

Why can't a smartphone (always) replace a mountain GPS?

You've probably asked yourself this question, yes, I've asked myself too. Is it worth spending a lot of money when our mobile phone already has GPS? when there are more and more phones that are resistant to dust, water and shocks? when there are applications that outperform the most modern GPS? when we have access to an infinite number of maps free of charge? Yes, there are still reasons to buy a GPS:

• The GPS are more resistant than the vast majority of smartphones to shock, dust and water.
• Activating the location on the mobile phone significantly reduces your autonomy (which is already short). I guess you don't want to be without battery in an emergency, do you?
• Almost all phones nowadays have an integrated battery (unfortunately also more and more GPS phones). This is positive because it improves waterproofing (IP), but negative because it cannot be replaced by another battery or batteries. Moreover, battery deterioration is often one of the main reasons for changing mobile phones. In GPS, it is common for the battery to be removable or for the autonomy to be longer.
• The GPS units are equipped with transflective screens (they are perfectly visible in bright sunlight without consuming extra battery power) while smartphones use transmissive screens (they are not visible on very bright days and waste battery power every time they are illuminated).
• High-end GPS units are equipped with an external antenna, which allows an better signal reception (better accuracy).
• GPS (or rather GNSS), are compatible with other global positioning systems such as: GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou,... modern smartphones as well.
• Some GPS devices incorporate multi-band technology, some high-end smartphones as well.

Features to consider when choosing a mountain GPS

Before we go any further, a clarification. Although we often refer to GNSS systems as GPS, the truth is that GPS is the GNSS system of the United States, but it is not the only existing system. Over the last few years, new GNSS positioning systems have been incorporated with a greater or lesser degree of operability, such as: GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (Europe), Beidou (China), QZSS (Japan), NavIC (India), etc.

And now we begin. As we have already discussed on other occasions, the best mountain GPS will be the one that best suits the use we are going to make of it. Nobody likes to pay for things they will never use.

Among the main features that we will consider important when choosing a mountain GPS, we will focus our attention on the following:

• Display:
  • Screen size and resolution: Although the vast majority of GPS models do not come close to matching the performance of today's smartphones, don't settle for screens from the last century. On the other hand, large, high-resolution touchscreens consume more battery power, are too bulky, and are not designed to be used in adverse conditions, with gloves, to withstand shocks, etc.
  • Type of lighting: As you may know, and if we haven't explained it to you, there are reflective, transflective and transmissive screens. Transmissive screens emit light internally, like those of mobile phones. You will have noticed that in very bright conditions they look very bad. Reflective lenses, on the other hand, reflect outside light. They are perfectly visible outdoors as long as there is light, and they use very little battery power. Transflective displays combine the good things about both options. Always choose transflective screens.
• Autonomy: GPS autonomy is very important. The longer the better. Nobody likes to stop to change the batteries and have to wait for the GPS to find the position again, not to mention the hassle of always having to carry spare batteries. Almost all models are powered by batteries instead of rechargeable batteries. It is advisable to use rechargeable batteries, but in case of need, it is always an advantage to be able to pull out a battery pack that you can buy anywhere.
• Maps: Some models come with pre-installed maps with more and less detail. The base map is very rudimentary, useless for moving in the mountains. The important thing in this case is not so much the pre-installed map, but the possibility of installing other maps.
• GNSS compatibility: a device compatible with several GNSS systems may have a larger number of satellites to calculate its position, which means more stability in difficult conditions (bottom of a ravine, etc.) and less signal loss.
• Multi-band technology: the latest satellites to become operational in the Navstar constellation (GPS) and in the Galileo system, incorporate new frequencies for civilian use: L5 (GPS) and E5a (Galileo) which improve positional accuracy. Having a device with multi-band technology is particularly useful in areas where the signal is very degraded (e.g. bounced or very weak signals).
• ABC sensors: By this acronym we mean devices that have a barometric altimeter and a three-axis compass. The barometric altimeter is highly accurate on a stable day, even better than the GPS signal when conditions are not favourable, and it will always work, even if the signal is lost. On the other hand, it loses accuracy as the hours pass (especially on days of increased instability and storms) and should be constantly calibrated for optimal results. The barometer will give early warning of weather changes. The three-axis compass is very useful for staying on course and seeing your map at all times, even when the GPS is tilted.
• Wireless connection: Some models can connect to each other wirelessly so that, for example, you can share your tracks with others in the group. Two common protocols are Bluetooth and ANT+.
• Compatibility with app or website: some models can connect to the internet to transfer files, positions or track our activity.
• inReach technology: Some high-end Garmin models add a satellite communication system (iridium network). It is very interesting to communicate in cases where there is no phone coverage, share your GPS position, send an SOS message or communicate via messages with any other compatible device, mobile phone or email address. Highly recommended if you usually go alone in the mountains. This technology requires an annual or monthly subscription, plus an annual registration fee.

Models analysed

*All purchase prices included in this article are current as of 15/01/2024.