Handheld GPS devices are a reliable way to navigate unfamiliar terrain, track your location and explore the outdoors without relying on mobile phone coverage. Whether you’re hiking, camping or travelling off-grid, a dedicated GPS navigator can provide accurate positioning, offline mapping and long battery life.
Choosing the best handheld GPS device depends on your budget and the features you need. From affordable models with basic navigation to advanced Garmin GPS units with multi-band positioning, detailed maps and satellite communication, there are plenty of options for different experience levels.
In this guide, we’ll compare five of the best handheld GPS devices available in the UK, focusing on navigation accuracy, mapping features, battery life and overall value. If you’re preparing for outdoor adventures or emergencies, you might also be interested in our Best Walkie Talkies UK guide for staying in contact when mobile reception is limited.
Best Options At A Glance
🛰️ Best Handheld GPS Devices UK Compared
Whether you’re looking for a compact GPS for hiking, solar-powered navigation or advanced satellite communication, these Garmin handheld navigators offer different features and capabilities. The table below compares their screen sizes, battery life, standout features and ideal uses to help you choose the right device.
| 🛰️ Product | 📱 Screen Size | 🔋 Battery Life | ⭐ Key Feature | 🏆 Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garmin eTrex Solar | 2.2" | Up to 200 Hours (GPS Mode) | Solar Charging & Multi-Band GPS | Long Hiking Trips & Battery Endurance |
| Garmin GPSMAP 65s | 2.6" | Up to 16 Hours | Multi-Band GNSS & TopoActive Maps | Best Overall Navigation |
| Garmin Montana 710 | 5" | Up to 24 Hours (GPS Mode) | Glove-Friendly Touchscreen & Satellite Imagery | Large-Screen Mapping & Outdoor Navigation |
| Garmin GPSMAP 67i | 3" | Up to 180 Hours (GPS Mode) | inReach Satellite Messaging & SOS | Premium Navigation & Remote Expeditions |
Product Summaries
Garmin eTrex Solar GPS Handheld Navigator
- Brand - Garmin
- Dimensions - 10.5 x 6.4 x 3.1 cm
- Weight - 142 g
- Screen Size - 2.2"
- Special Feature - Solar Charging & Multi-Band GPS
First off we have the Garmin eTrex Solar GPS Handheld Navigator. It’s currently selling on Amazon for £200/$268.
The Garmin eTrex Solar is a compact handheld GPS navigator designed for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who need dependable navigation and exceptional battery life. Its 2.2-inch high-contrast display remains readable in bright sunlight, while the rugged IPX7-rated design can withstand rain and challenging outdoor conditions.
Its standout feature is solar charging, offering up to 200 hours of battery life without sunlight and potentially unlimited operation under ideal solar conditions. Multi-band GPS improves positioning accuracy in demanding environments, while the built-in digital compass provides reliable directional guidance even when stationary.
Bluetooth connectivity allows the device to pair with the Garmin Explore app for trip planning, software updates, weather information and smart notifications. Geocaching Live support also provides access to cache descriptions, logs and hints when connected to a compatible smartphone.
Overall, the Garmin eTrex Solar is an excellent choice for extended hiking and camping trips, combining accurate satellite positioning, straightforward navigation and outstanding battery endurance in a portable package.
Buy the Garmin eTrex Solar GPS Handheld Navigator on Amazon for £200/$268:
Garmin GPSMAP 65s Multi-Band Handheld Navigator
- Brand - Garmin
- Dimensions - 16 x 6.1 x 3.6 cm
- Weight - 217 g
- Screen Size - 2.6"
- Special Feature - Multi-Band GNSS & Preloaded TopoActive Maps
Another impressive handheld GPS is the Garmin GPSMAP 65s Multi-Band Handheld Navigator. It’s currently selling on Amazon for £344/$461.
The Garmin GPSMAP 65s is a rugged handheld GPS navigator designed for hikers, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts who need accurate positioning and detailed mapping. Its 2.6-inch sunlight-readable colour display and preloaded TopoActive Europe maps make it easy to follow routes and navigate unfamiliar terrain.
One of its standout features is multi-band GNSS technology, which receives signals from multiple satellite systems and frequencies to improve positioning accuracy in challenging environments, including dense forests, valleys and built-up areas. The built-in three-axis compass and barometric altimeter provide additional navigation information, including direction and elevation changes.
The GPSMAP 65s also supports Bluetooth and ANT+ connectivity, allowing integration with compatible devices and the Garmin Explore app for managing routes, tracks and waypoints. Its IPX7 water resistance makes it suitable for wet conditions, while two replaceable AA batteries provide up to 16 hours of advertised use.
Overall, the Garmin GPSMAP 65s offers an excellent balance of navigation accuracy, detailed mapping and durable construction, making it a strong all-round choice for serious hiking and outdoor exploration.
Buy the Garmin GPSMAP 65s Multi-Band Handheld Navigator on Amazon for £344/$461:
Garmin Montana 710 Rugged GPS Handheld Navigator
- Brand - Garmin
- Dimensions - 18.3 x 3.3 x 8.6 cm
- Weight - 410 g
- Screen Size - 5"
- Special Feature - 5-Inch Glove-Friendly Touchscreen & Satellite Mapping
Next we have the Garmin Montana 710 Rugged GPS Handheld Navigator. It’s currently selling on Amazon for £592/$793.
The Garmin Montana 710 is a premium handheld GPS navigator designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want detailed mapping and a large, easy-to-use display. Its 5-inch glove-friendly colour touchscreen makes navigating routes and examining terrain straightforward, whether you’re hiking, cycling or exploring unfamiliar locations.
One of its standout features is TopoActive mapping, providing detailed information on trails, roads, terrain and landmarks. The device also supports downloadable high-resolution satellite imagery, while 32GB of internal storage allows you to save additional maps and navigation data. Wi-Fi connectivity makes downloading compatible maps and updates more convenient.
Built for challenging outdoor conditions, the Montana 710 features IPX7 water resistance and rugged construction tested against MIL-STD-810 standards. Its rechargeable battery provides up to 24 hours of advertised GPS use, while compatible mounting accessories make it suitable for bikes, off-road vehicles and other outdoor activities.
Overall, the Garmin Montana 710 is an excellent choice for users who prioritise detailed mapping, a large touchscreen and versatile outdoor navigation, making it a strong premium alternative to smaller button-operated GPS devices.
Buy the Garmin Montana 710 Rugged GPS Handheld Navigator on Amazon for £592/$793:
Garmin GPSMAP 67i Rugged Handheld GPS
- Brand - Garmin
- Dimensions - 6.4 x 3.6 x 16.3 cm
- Weight - 229 g
- Screen Size - 3"
- Special Feature - inReach Satellite Messaging & Interactive SOS
Finally we have the Garmin GPSMAP 67i Rugged Handheld GPS . It’s currently selling on Amazon for £700/$938.
The Garmin GPSMAP 67i is a premium handheld GPS navigator designed for serious hikers, explorers and outdoor enthusiasts who need reliable navigation and emergency communication. Its rugged construction and 3-inch sunlight-readable colour display make it well suited to demanding outdoor conditions.
The standout feature is Garmin’s inReach satellite technology, which enables two-way messaging, location sharing and interactive SOS alerts through the global Iridium satellite network. These features work beyond mobile coverage, making the device particularly useful for remote expeditions, although an active satellite subscription is required.
Navigation is equally impressive, with multi-band GNSS positioning, preloaded TopoActive maps and downloadable satellite imagery. The GPSMAP 67i also supports the Garmin Explore app for route planning and managing waypoints, while its rechargeable battery delivers up to 180 hours in GPS mode or 165 hours with inReach tracking enabled at 10-minute intervals.
Overall, the Garmin GPSMAP 67i combines advanced mapping, excellent battery endurance and satellite communication capabilities, making it an outstanding upgrade for users exploring remote locations where dependable navigation and emergency contact are essential.
Buy the Garmin GPSMAP 67i Rugged Handheld GPS on Amazon for £700/$938:
🛰️ Handheld GPS Features & Buying Guide
Choosing the right handheld GPS device depends on where you plan to use it and the navigation features you need. The table below explains the most important GPS technologies, their benefits and which types of outdoor activities they’re best suited for.
| 🛰️ Feature | ⚙️ What It Does | ⭐ Main Benefit | 🏕️ Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-Band GNSS | Receives multiple satellite frequencies | Improved positioning in difficult terrain | Forests, valleys & mountains |
| TopoActive Maps | Displays detailed roads, trails and terrain | Better route planning and navigation | Hiking & exploring unfamiliar areas |
| Solar Charging | Uses sunlight to extend battery life | Longer operation between charges | Multi-day trips & remote camping |
| Barometric Altimeter & Compass | Measures elevation changes and direction | Extra navigation information | Hillwalking & mountain navigation |
| Satellite Messaging & SOS | Enables communication outside mobile coverage | Emergency contact and location sharing | Remote expeditions |
| Water Resistance (IPX7) | Protects against temporary water immersion | Greater durability in wet conditions | Rainy hikes & outdoor adventures |
FAQs
Handheld GPS devices are often better suited to extended hiking and outdoor navigation than smartphones. They typically offer rugged construction, longer battery life, physical controls and reliable satellite positioning in challenging environments.
Although modern smartphones provide excellent GPS navigation, dedicated handheld devices are particularly useful for remote adventures where battery endurance, detailed mapping and durability are important.
Yes, handheld GPS devices can determine your location without mobile reception or an internet connection. They receive signals directly from navigation satellites, making them useful in remote areas where smartphones may have limited connectivity.
However, features such as downloading maps, live weather updates and synchronising routes may require an internet connection. Make sure any necessary offline maps are installed before travelling.
Most Garmin handheld GPS devices don’t require a subscription for basic navigation, GPS positioning or included offline maps.
However, certain premium services have additional costs. For example, the Garmin GPSMAP 67i requires an active inReach satellite subscription for two-way messaging, location tracking through the satellite service and interactive SOS functionality. Premium mapping services such as Outdoor Maps+ may also require a subscription.
Thanks for reading our guide to the best handheld GPS devices UK. Whether you’re looking for a compact hiking navigator, detailed offline mapping or advanced satellite communication, we hope you’ve found a suitable option for your next adventure.
If you’re preparing for outdoor trips or unexpected emergencies, take a look at our Best Emergency Radios UK guide, where we compare portable radios with solar charging, hand cranks and other useful backup features.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions or recommendations!
