The Best Travel GPS Trackers in 2022

People often want to "get lost" somewhere outside the city in order to be as far away from the annoying office as possible. But, in reality, this situation is capable of immediately turning a relaxing journey into a true horror for each of its participants.

Fortunately, there is a specialized, comfortable, practical GPS device that will always tell a person where this or that path leads, and help you get out of an unknown area. This article contains the best travel GPS trackers.

Positioning

On the technological side, GPS is not something completely innovative. Currently, this technology is used in smartphones, unmanned vehicles and even in popular models of skateboards.

Despite this, having a pocket GPS navigator is a huge advantage for tourism, because, in addition to the main functionality, they provide several auxiliary options that will come in handy for tourists on any outdoor trip. These include sensors such as barometers, altimeters, Bluetooth technology, and even integrated compasses for navigation aids.

It would be wrong if they began to say that phones or tablet PCs are completely ineffective in matters of navigation. Indeed, in specific areas, such devices can help indicate the direction, however, GPS trackers have a number of advantages that smartphones and tablets cannot provide.

For example, most inexpensive devices are designed specifically for outdoor use, which means that they are reliable, productive and ideal for mushroom pickers and hunting. In addition, they provide the best signal quality even in the most remote locations and often hold a charge for a long time.

This does not mean that you need to throw away the good old compass or topographic map with improved technology. Any gadget can break down, no matter how technologically advanced it is, so ideally, in addition to new innovations, you should also take with you convenient analogue-type navigation mechanisms that can help a person in any situation.

One way or another, such budget devices are of great importance in unknown and remote areas. They are relatively easy to configure, charge quickly, and have an instinctively clear interface that even a novice touring user can understand.

Types of GPS trackers

• For auto;
• Software;
• Pocket.

For ardent mushroom pickers or fans of long walks, a powerful gadget called a tourist GPS tracker will be the most suitable. The device is bought as a separate device, or installed as an application on a smartphone.

A device for tourists or mushroom pickers will help you instantly find the right direction, thanks to its own autonomy.

Each electronic type device needs to be recharged if used for different needs. When you take a GPS tracker with you, you can simultaneously talk on your smartphone without fear of running out of battery.

Quality devices should save a long way to a flash card so that if the need arises, you can return. Navigation gadgets can instantly build the shortest routes and have a large number of road maps.

Everyone chooses a good GPS tracker for a tourist individually, but the guarantee obligations of the manufacturer should always be taken into account.You can save money by installing a location-based software on your smartphone, but according to buyers, a pocket fishing model will be a much better choice when it comes to a specific activity.

A mini travel tracking device should protect a person from dangers, show the right place. But the gadget is capable of not having time to determine the desired object, and therefore it is always necessary to manage the situation, taking the pocket assistant as an additional device.

Which one is better to buy?

Today, the market for GPS trackers for tourists is very wide, so it can be quite difficult to decide how to choose the right device. It will be advisable to be guided by the errors in the selection, which will be mentioned in this review. You need to check the availability of certain options. For example, at the moment, the popularity of models that can record the distance traveled is growing. Therefore, finding your way back with such a gadget will be easy.

The most innovative and high-quality devices are equipped with a color screen on which maps can be displayed in three-dimensional standard (3D). Information about the height and depth of the surrounding space will be shown on the display. If the device is necessary for fishing, it would be advisable to pay attention to models that are protected from moisture.

When choosing a GPS tracker for travel, you need to take into account the presence / absence of a USB slot, which is necessary to increase the built-in memory using a flash drive. If there are not enough integrated maps, you can download new data to a flash card at any time.

Some models are distinguished by the presence of a specialized carbine, which is very important when conquering mountain slopes and climbing steep peaks.

Criteria for choosing a GPS tracker for a mushroom picker

For those who like to collect mushrooms, the developers have designed a number of types of gadgets for navigating the area. A lighthouse would be a reasonable solution, as the forest tourist navigator will still be directed to the main roads, which are far from the walking mushroom picker during any hike. Models of such devices often look like key rings with a small screen.

If a person chooses a navigation tracker for a mushroom picker, then this implies the formation of the correct route for the mushroom picker, which makes it possible to control the entire distance covered. People who do not have special knowledge of the geography of the area can easily navigate by looking at such a gadget.

When choosing a tourist device with a route recording function, it is necessary to pay due attention to the security of its shell, autonomy without changing the battery and memory capacity.

In addition, the device replaces the latest free Android phone app. These programs stand out for their number of options and capabilities.

Installing the application is very easy, you must first download it and open it. Then the GPS mode is activated, after which the correct tourist coordinates are searched, immediately following the selection of the appropriate function in the menu.

Which firm is better?

Top Manufacturer Garmin is the only corporation that continues to produce GPS trackers for backpackers on a large scale. Its main office is located in the United States, but in Europe it has a separate office - it is located in the UK.

The key "highlight" of Garmin brand gadgets is the use of highly detailed topographic maps. Devices show every path, every elevation, every forest.In addition, most Garmin brand products boast an outdoor antenna, due to which there are no difficulties in receiving a signal even in shallow caves.

Rating of quality GPS trackers

Going on a long hike, travelers try to take only the necessary things with them, often not thinking about the availability of specialized gadgets for navigating the area. Since technology does not stand still, it would be wise to take with you such an innovative device as a pocket travel navigation tracker.

 

15th place: Garmin eTrex 10

A very undemanding device, the purchase of which must be considered only in case of insufficient funds for more expensive models. The picture here is displayed on a screen with a diagonal of 2.2 inches, and the resolution is 128x240px. The display is single-color, which will already cause specific difficulties when viewing the map.

But on the other hand, such a low-performance device operates on a single set of batteries for a very long time. Its shell is protected from moisture, which should save the gadget even if it falls into a shallow river.

A total of 50 routes can be stored in the device's memory. Each of them can contain a thousand points in the limiting degree. An important specificity of the device is to support GLONASS.

The only thing to regret is the lack of a slot for a flash drive, so it is impossible to upload auxiliary cards here. By the way, the integrated antenna makes itself felt - sometimes there are interruptions in signal transmission.

• Multiple routes can be recorded;
• Compact dimensions;
• Waterproof shell;
• Excellent indicators of autonomy;
• Identifies signals from GLONASS satellites.

• Integrated antenna;
• Single color screen;
• Unreliable fixation.

The average price is 4,500 rubles.

 

14th place: AVEL DRC050G

It is worth noting that this is a rare case when a device not manufactured by Garmin is included in the TOP of the best GPS trackers for tourists. The AVEL brand (also known as Avis) from China, of course, loses in most characteristics to the outstanding "natives of the USA", but it is relatively budget. At the same time, it has sufficient protection against dust and moisture to fix it on a motorcycle or ATV, if a person is not engaged in profile extreme sports, of course.

The tracker receives power from the on-board network through the bracket and, when removed, automatically switches to an integrated battery. The 5-inch display is sharp and can be used with gloves.

In terms of performance - a classic, if we talk about goods from China. The device has an MSTAR MSB2531 processor, 128 MB RAM, Windows CE OS. Navitel and iGo come out of the box, you can download third-party software for working with topographic maps.

• Power supply via bracket;
• Pretty reliable shell with protection made according to the IPX4 standard;
• Possibility of functioning from the integrated battery.

• With out-of-the-box software, it functions exclusively on the roads.

The average price is 10,000 rubles.

 

13th place: Garmin eTrex 20X

This model is a modified version of the eTrex 20.This is an even better pocket GPS tracker, equipped with more memory capacity and equipped with a 240x320px resolution screen.

In addition to improving the readability of content in the sun, the gadget will not let you go astray due to the high sensitivity navigation receiver that supports WAAS, Hotfix, GLONASS and a standard world map.

The user is provided with 3.7 GB of memory and a slot for a microSD flash drive, into which you can download various maps, up to TOPO 24K, Hunt View, City Navigator NT and Birdseye.

• Good run time;
• Quickly find satellites with Garmin position prediction technology that speeds up cold start;
• Dust and moisture resistant shell.

• In the reviews, users note discomfort when using the display.

The average price is 13,500 rubles.

 

12th place: Delorme inReach Explorer

This tracker, despite its rather compact dimensions, is actually a full-fledged navigation device. This is a universal and all-weather gadget of electronic type aimed at experienced users who are often in conditions far from the usual urban "comfort".

• Non-stop connection to the Iridium system;
• Color screen and virtual on-screen keyboard;
• Integrated compass, accelerometer and altimeter;
• Odometer and indication of travel information (period, maximum and average travel speed, distance);
• Error-free navigation of approximately 5 m.

• Not detected.

The average price is 25,000 rubles.

 

11th place: Garmin eTrex 30

GPS trackers for tourists are expensive. This model is located approximately on the border of the high and medium categories in terms of price. At the same time, a person with an average income will be shocked by the price, because for the same price it is quite possible to find where it is profitable to buy a good phone.

One way or another, the phone is definitely not capable of working in navigator mode for more than a day, while a product of the Garmin brand can. In addition, it does not need to be put on charge - in the future you will need to change the rechargeable batteries, after which you continue your own trip.

The difference between this model and more budget trackers is that it was equipped with a magnetic type compass and a flash drive slot. The first greatly facilitates the designation, and the second makes it possible to download auxiliary maps.

There is also the possibility of exchanging information between gadgets, but it is unlikely that in the Russian Federation a traveler will find another fan of Garmin brand products nearby. It is also necessary to highlight the display, the diagonal of which is 2.2 inches. Unlike its predecessor, it became colored. The resolution is 176x220 px.

• Color display;
• 1.7GB ROM;
• There is a slot for a flash drive;
• There is a magnetic type compass;
• Excellent autonomy.

• Integrated antenna;
• Involuntary pressing the joystick in your pocket;
• Slow map rendering.

The average price is 17,000 rubles.

 

10th place: Garmin GPSMAP 64s

It's always a joy when a new product is released with some additional interesting options that are ready for immediate work straight from the factory.This model is one of those gadgets because it comes with a world standard map and a free subscription to Birdseye.

A tourist can easily reach any corner of the planet due to a high-sensitivity navigation receiver that supports GLONASS and is equipped with a specialized antenna.

In addition, this tracker has 4GB of ROM, up to a quarter of a million pre-loaded caches from geocaching.com and a 3-axis compass combined with a barometric altimeter. It is for this reason that this gadget will become a good assistant everywhere - both when traveling out of town and when walking along the streets of an unknown city.

• Flexible keys with excellent travel;
• A high-quality and reliable miniUSB slot, which is important if you take into account the battery charging directly in the device;
• Nothing "lags", even at the maximum detail settings;
• Quick "cold" start.

• The weight is a little big;
• The dimensions are not so practical due to the peeping antenna;
• Small display resolution.

The average price is 20,000 rubles.

 

9th place: SPOT GEN3

Aimed at travelers and outdoor enthusiasts. The functional gadget offers a mutual connection with satellites and a number of modes of functioning of an emergency navigation beacon.

• Exclusive satellite technology;
• Non-stop check;
• Global SOS option (with one keystroke, an SOS signal is sent to the international organization center GEOS, the operator of which instantly sends an emergency alert with the detailed coordinates of the tourist to the nearby rescue service);
• The Check-in option allows you to instantly transfer information about geolocation and SMS to relatives and friends (maximum 10 addresses or numbers) from anywhere in the world;
• The SPOT assist option allows you to send a distress signal to a support group or a specific rescue team.

• Not detected.

The average price is 10,000 rubles.

 

8th place: Garmin inReach Explorer+

If a person often travels to unknown places, he should think about his own safety. Fortunately, this tracker model does an excellent job of protecting the tourist. This device is not only a travel navigator, but also a two-way satellite warning system and an SOS signal transmission device.

Thanks to him, the tourist can share their own geolocation and send SMS, even when they are in a place where there is no cellular coverage. And finally, the model comes with a huge number of topographic maps out of the box, a digital type compass, a barometric altimeter and an accelerograph, and a lithium battery guarantees approximately 100 hours of tracking and about a month in power saving mode.

• There are standard cards "out of the box";
• Compatible with smartphones;
• Excellent battery;
• You can communicate with other users and specialized services.

• Does not support flash drives.

The average price is 26,500 rubles.

 

7th place: Garmin Astro 320

This device looks like a kind of walkie-talkie. But here two external antennas are used, one of which is allowed to be deactivated. The design made it possible not only to improve signal reception, but also to integrate support for EGNOS and WAAS.

The manufacturer says that this model will show the geolocation of the tourist, no matter where he is. The only exception is when the traveler descended to a great depth underground.

The gadget is equipped with a screen with a diagonal of 2.6 inches and a resolution of 160x240px. Usually such weak characteristics are chosen so that the maps are drawn quite quickly. In the reviews, users write that the time has come for the brand to switch to innovative technologies that will make it possible to improve image quality and extend battery life.

• There is a magnetic type compass and a barograph;
• 2 hundreds of routes from 200 waypoints;
• 1.6GB ROM;
• Two very high quality antennas;
• Supports all innovative GPS technologies.

• Low quality screen
• Not compatible with mobile devices;
• Users note the high cost.

The average price is 64,500 rubles.

 

6th place: Garmin Oregon 600T

This model is a comfortable and high-quality GPS-assistant with an instinctively clear shell. It adopts 2-spectrum GPS/GLONASS satellite designation and is equipped with a 3-axis compass, accelerograph and baric altimeter in addition to the usual functionality.

In addition, users can wirelessly share routes, tracks, waypoints, cache memory and their own maps using the Bluetooth option, and a lightweight power system with 2 AA batteries will not allow you to get lost due to a dead tracker.

• Unmistakable designation of coordinates with a short search interval;
• For such a functional gadget, autonomy is kept at an excellent level;
• Incredible functionality;
• Intuitive interface in Russian, which is designed for multi-touch input;
• Operates both from batteries and batteries with the possibility of additional charging without removal.

• Not detected.

The average price is 17,000 rubles.

 

5th place: Garmin Foretrex 701

This tracker does not pretend to become a smart watch - it is intentionally brutal and not at all for appearance. The model not only meets the requirements of the MIL-STD-810G standard, the content on the display can be read using night vision devices, and fans of marksmanship will appreciate the integrated ballistics calculator.

To check the coordinates, 3 satellite systems are used at once - not only the usual GPS and GLONASS, but also Galileo. The duration of work for such practical dimensions is great - approximately two days in GPS mode, about 7 days in UltraTrac mode (saving tracks with an increased time period for indicating coordinates). It is worth noting that all this is given only by 2 AAA batteries.

The model will be a good choice not only for tourists looking for a compact and high-quality tracker of this format, but also for fans of expensive military-style devices.

• Shock and moisture resistant according to NATO military standards;
• Excellent screen;
• Operates immediately with three satellite systems;
• Compatible with phones;
• Supports the Jumpmaster program designed for skydivers.

• Dimensions and weight;
• Primitive outline of routes (b/w screen with low resolution makes itself felt).

The average price is 36,000 rubles.

 

4th place: Garmin Montana 680

The pocket tracker, which feels comfortable in the hand, is traditionally equipped with a small screen with a diagonal of 4 inches. But, if we talk about the difference with most popular models, the pixel saturation is higher here - the screen resolution was reduced to 272x480px, and it is quite informative. Control is multi-touch, and it is completely optional to remove gloves during operation.

As far as power is concerned, the tracker is as versatile as can be: it has an integrated battery that lasts up to 16 hours, there is a compartment for AA batteries and, in addition, it can be powered from USB or directly through 12 volts in the bracket for auto. In this regard, it is necessary to try to force such a model to discharge.

• Various power and charging options;
• Satellite search speed and signal quality;
• Can work with custom maps;
• Build reliability and durability.

• Price;
• Birdseye subscription must be renewed annually.

The average price is 46,000 rubles.

 

3rd place: Garmin Edge 1030

Special models for cyclists in the domestic market are provided only by this company. Equipped with a 3.5-inch display, it looks like an ordinary touring model, but it also has a lot of "highlights", in particular for cyclists.

To build routes, the user can work with the Trendline system, which has information uploaded by other tourists; during collective trips, there is a connection between all group trackers: for example, you can send an SMS to unsuccessful travel participants that the user has made a stop and is waiting for them at a certain place.

The device can be synchronized with Varia's advanced bicycle headlights and is able to automatically send notifications to selected recipients in case of distress, it allows you to connect heart rate and cadence scanners for cyclists. In addition, weather conditions can be predicted. If the traveler gets caught in the rain, there is no need to worry about the tracker, since its shell meets the requirements of the IPX7 standard.

As a power source, a lithium-ion battery is installed with a duration of approximately 20 hours. If this is not enough, you can supplement it with an external battery, which is provided by the Garmin brand in the range of gadgets.

• Excellent functionality;
• GPS aimed at cycling;
• Teamwork;
• Excellent moisture protection.

• Not detected.

The average price is 38,500 rubles.

 

2nd place: Garmin Zumo 595

As befits Garmin, the tracker does not differ in budget cost, but the price corresponds to the quality. The high-quality 5-inch screen makes it easy to view content in the sun, and its multi-touch capabilities can be used without removing gloves.

If the tourist is tired of paved roads, then you can use the Garmin Adventurous Routing option to build a route along the nearest dirt roads that are not available on traditional automaps. If the hiker wants to record a video of the trip as a keepsake, then you can use the compatibility with the VIRB branded camera to shoot video on the tracker's drive.

The shell is protected from dust and moisture, with a profile finish. It is drop, shock and rain resistant. Such a device will be an excellent solution for motorcycle tourism.

• Signature signal quality and ease of use;
• Supports compatibility with motorcycle fuel scanners;
• External battery module included.

• Mainly used for motorcycle tourism.

The average price is 60,000 rubles.

 

1st place: Garmin Monterra

Most users will say that this tracker is unreasonably expensive. Even some Apple products are cheaper. But if "apple" devices are primarily designed for fun, then this model of a tourist navigator, in theory, can save a person.

The developers equipped their own "brainchild" with a moisture-resistant and impact-resistant shell. It is worth noting that it is for this reason that even climbers choose the products of this company. If any problem suddenly arises, the tracker sends a distress signal to other people using a GSM unit.

For the first time in its history, Garmin has used not a proprietary interface here, but the Android OS. At first it functioned very unstable, but after the third update it became much better.

The tracker is equipped with a 4-inch LCD display with a resolution of 272x480px. Such a weak value is chosen to guarantee proper autonomy.

• There are Bluetooth and Wi-Fi units;
• It is allowed to put a flash drive;
• There is a ROM;
• 100% Android out of the box;
• Records multiple routes with 10,000 points each.

• Three batteries are not enough for a long operating time;
• When it rains, the display is sometimes activated.

The average price is 62,500 rubles.

What to look for when buying a GPS tracker?

First of all, experts recommend that you familiarize yourself with the capabilities of the Internet resource used to indicate the user's geolocation.The fact is that the device itself cannot solve the difficulties with designating the coordinates of a tourist. Only a high-quality resource will make it possible to achieve the effective functioning of the tourist navigator.

The second thing you should pay attention to is the functionality of the device. The purchased gadget should have intuitive activation and configuration. If these options are not available, the user will have to activate individually. And for this purpose, at least, he needs to install drivers, and configure the device manually.

Since the tourist navigator is aimed at online determination of the geolocation where the user is located, it must have the following functionality:

1. Support for a number of cards "out of the box";
2. Group a certain number of users into groups to designate them;
3. Show where the tourist is moving, the speed of movement and other indicators;
4. Turn on the environment listening mode.

If any of the options listed in the description above are not in the device, it would be advisable to think about the need to purchase it.

In addition, the tourist navigator must guarantee the possibility of monitoring from smartphones and notification of events using messages or emails. In addition, it must guarantee comfortable viewing of routes on the map and receiving reports in the form of tables for corporate users.

Innovative GPS trackers make it possible to change the time zone of the observer, guarantee support for state languages ​​and multi-stage access to data. It is worth noting that some of the models are even supplemented with their own navigation resources. In this case, the password with the activation guide is attached to the device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it is worth noting that among the innovative travel navigators there are very high-quality solutions that can be trusted not only with property, but also with the protection of loved ones. It is important - do not be afraid, once "dig deeper" in the configurations, and the tracker will keep the tourist up to date without interruption.