hiking GPS
Wilderness positioning device
A hiking GPS is a handheld device designed for outdoor navigation, using satellite signals to track position, mark waypoints, and follow trails.
Unlike phone apps, dedicated units are built to withstand rough conditions and work in areas without cell service: I always bring my hiking GPS on backcountry trips.
Most display topographic maps and can record routes for later review.
- trailPath through wilderness
- trail markerSign indicating route direction
- navigationDetermining position and course
- waypointNavigation reference location
- coordinatesLocation-specifying number pairs
topographic · topo map · backcountry · off grid · satellite · lost signal · tracking · wilderness · elevation · route · Garmin · handheld · summit · trailhead · bearing · contour · battery · signal
- GPSsatellite, latitude, position, location, waypoint
- GPS devicesGarmin, TomTom, Magellan
- rugged devicesrugged phone, rugged laptop
- Garmin products
hiking GPSpaper map
Printed geographic reference
topographic map · compass · folding map · guidebook · trail map
hiking GPSdead reckoning
Position-tracking via estimated motion
celestial navigation · orienteering · wandering aimlessly · following the sun · sense of direction