GPS navigation systems are essential for Overlanding, hiking, backpacking, and other off-road activities. But what’s the best GPS device for Overlanding?
If you’re in the market for a GPS for Overlanding, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll take a look at the best GPS units for Overlanding, and help you decide which one is right for you.
We’ll cover things like features, tracks, and ratings to help you make an informed decision. So whether you’re looking for a basic model or something more advanced, we’ve got you covered.
Before you continue, you can check out more articles about Overlanding in this article: GPS for Overlanding – A Guide
The Best GPS for Overlanding
Garmin Overlander
The Garmin Overlander is a great GPS unit for Overlanding. It has been heavily promoted as the greatest GPS for Overlanding, and has some cool incorporated capabilities. You must determine whether the device is worthwhile for you.
It certainly checks off some of the necessary boxes for a great Overlanding GPS device. To begin with, depending on the store you purchase the gadget from, it comes preconfigured with topographic maps of North and South America, Europe, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Australia, AND New Zealand. For months to come, whether you are Overlanding within your own state or across continents, it will be nearly ready to go.
PROs
- Out of the package and ready to use
- robust design
- top of the line for road navigation
- The internal storage of 64 GB
- Gators that pitch and roll
CONs
- The technology makes downloading maps a terrible hassle.
- It is difficult to change between map views.
- Price
Hema HX-1 Navigator
Due to its exceptionally accurate maps and pertinent POIs for that continent, the Hema HX-1 Navigator is quite well-liked in Australia. We believe Garmin aimed for the US market and was inspired by the Hema Navigator.
Because the Hema gadget is specifically made for off-roading, moving between map views and downloading additional maps or POIs is simple, and there is plenty of room with an additional SD card installed.
It offers all the additional features you would anticipate from a good GPS device, including the ability to add waypoints, trace your journey, and perform on-road navigation.
There are some very dissatisfied customers out there who are citing overheating, a poor battery life where it expands and cracks the case after a few months of use, bugs where the device doesn’t switch off when turning off the car and it lacks a manual button, and the device switching between day and night mode randomly or getting stuck in a certain mode.
Even though it’s difficult for me to independently verify these claims from across the globe, it’s still wise to be aware of them before investing in a costly device with high hopes. Before switching to a specific device, you may also download the HEMA app to any tablet or phone and test it out.
PROs
- It’s simple to change between map views.
- The device makes it simple to download maps.
- Reasonable road navigation
- built-in rear-facing camera
CONs
- Outside of Australia, not for sale
- slower to operate than a Garmin
- Before leaving, you must download maps while connected to wifi.
- Price
Magellan TRX7 CS Off-Road and Trail GPS
designed in the USA, while the parent firm, which also owns the Mio and Navman GPS brands, is based in Taiwan. A tough off-road GPS gadget, the TRX7 CS will take you into the vast outdoors and off the beaten path. On TRX Trailhead, thousands of preloaded routes collected from other users are included with it.
The TRX7 CS instantly begins breadcrumbing your track in addition to the regular GPS functions, which I find to be incredibly amazing and useful.
The TR(X)7 model comes in 5 variations, so be sure to double-check the one you’re purchasing and what it offers.
PROs
- waterproof AND robust design
- trailheads loaded
- Trails are simple to download from the website.
- the crumbs of bread
CONs
- Available only in the USA
- Neither on-road nor
- The pre-loaded maps do not include all trails.
Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 Multifunction Off Road GPS
When the marine capabilities are turned off, the Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 is marketed in the USA as an offroad GPS. The Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 was initially designed as a fish plotter for boat use. As a result, this design will be the most durable of all of them because the ocean is a hard environment and only the strongest materials should be used to create anything that must survive there.
There isn’t a lot of information available on how to utilize it for off-roading because it isn’t that well-known internet. It appears to offer every essential feature you would desire in an offroad GPS.
Although the Lawrence is offered for sale as a fish plotter in Europe, I’m not sure if you could use it as an off-road GPS system and load European maps onto it.
Other than that, I suspect it might not be the most user-friendly device available, but as it’s not a common choice, there aren’t many instructions or videos available to show you how to use it for offroading.
PROs
- Waterproof AND robust design
- superior materials
CONs
- Only available as an off-road vehicle in the USA.
- only has US Inland Basemap installed when purchased.
- Neither on-road nor
Alternative overland GPS devices
Garmin Montana 700i
Do you desire a single, all-purpose tool that can help you in every circumstance? The Montana 700i is that. This gadget will encourage you to go out and explore the outdoors, whether it is mounted in your car or used as a handheld device while trekking.
It has a 5-inch display, which is neither the largest nor the smallest. It is adaptable to use with or without gloves and performs well in bright light.
The device’s distinctive feature is that it mixes 2-way messaging technology from in-reach with navigation. Consequently, wherever you are in the world, you can send SMS messages using satellite technology (which requires a subscription to work).
None of the other specific GPS units are capable of doing this. It is possible to link other Garmin devices to an Inreach device, however doing so will cost you an additional device. You essentially get two things for the price of one with this because it is already integrated.
Without needing to bring an additional power pack, you may use this device right out of your car and on a trek.
PROs
- Strong construction and weatherproof
- Dual-way satellite communication
- skills for both on- and off-road navigation
- prolonged battery
- amazingly precise GPS
- When compared to the cost of a GPS device plus an in-reach gadget
CONs
- The cost does not include a mount.
- A lack of overland POI
Garmin Zumo XT
The Garmin Zumo XT is a gadget made for adventure motorbike journeys, often known as adv riding. It is not worthless in a car only because it is waterproof and the touchscreen works with gloves.
It has many features in common with the Garmin Overlander, such as built-in topo and satellite maps, route tracking, and a list of all iOverlander POIs. Additionally, when away from any cell towers, the option to connect an inReach satellite communicator for two-way texting.
When searching for a less expensive alternative to the Garmin Overlander, the Zumo XT, which is available in two sizes, might be it.
There are several various mounts, including one for the car, in the box. It functions, but charging the smartphone requires a USB cable. To use the click and charge port that is intended to be used on the motorcycle, I would advise installing a RAM mount.
PROs
- Out of the package and ready to use
- robust design
- top of the line for road navigation
- Price
- It’s really simple to change between map views.
CONs
Use of the standard mount in a car is not recommended
Trail Tech Voyager Pro GPS
The Trail Tech Voyager, a GPS device made for power sports enthusiasts, includes a special buddy tracking feature that uses radio signals to follow up to 20 friends at once. You don’t have to have your buddies in sight at all times because they can show you where they are.
Buddy Tracking is only permitted in the Americas (with the exception of Brazil) and Africa, though. Buddy tracking is compatible with and effortlessly integrated into Polaris ride groups when used with the Trail Tech and POLARIS RIDE COMMAND GROUP RIDE.
Compared to other devices, the touchscreen is incredibly small, yet it is waterproof and glove-operable. Additionally, it can display the temperature and gauge the battery’s voltage.
The gadget has many more features than a typical GPS device, as well as a variety of sensors for your car and a somewhat nerdy look. It is available with a mount for a variety of cars.
PROs
- robust design
- Buddy tracking system that is special
- displays important vehicle data
CONs
- ineffective user interface
- tiny screen
Yamaha Adventure PRO
The Yamaha Adventure Pro Powered by Magellan looks like a terrific device for offroad navigation and I don’t see why it wouldn’t function fine in a car either. It is designed to be smoothly fitted on various brands of ATVs and UTVs. The large (7-inch) screen is waterproof and made to handle rocky terrain.
Along with the usual GPS gadget features, it has more than 115,000 pre-loaded trails and waypoints (the USA focussed). It won’t have any global maps because it can only be purchased in the USA, which makes it less useful for cross-country travel.
PROs
- robust design
- easily integrated with ATVs and UTVs
- displays important vehicle data
- a large selection of useful POIs
CONs
- Available only in the USA
- Price
- Maps are limited to North America alone.
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Conclusion
If you’re looking for a high-quality off-road GPS navigation device, you should consider the alternatives. These devices are marketed as off-road GPS navigation devices, but in reality, they offer great value for money and can be used for a variety of purposes other than off-roading. So if you’re looking for a device that can do it all, the alternatives are a great option!
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