Best Handheld GPS for Marine of 2025
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Handheld GPS for marine is a reliable and essential tool for boaters and fishermen. These devices are designed to provide accurate and up-to-date information about the location, speed, and direction of the vessel. They are also equipped with advanced features such as chart plotting, fish-finding, and weather forecasting. Handheld GPS devices are compact, portable, and easy to use, making them perfect for any type of marine activity. They can withstand harsh weather conditions and are built to last, ensuring that you can navigate with confidence on any waterway. Whether you're a seasoned boater or a novice, a handheld GPS for marine is a must-have tool for safe and successful navigation.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 6 Handheld GPS for Marine
Garmin GPSMAP 79sc Marine GPS Handheld
The Garmin GPSMAP 79sc is a rugged, water-resistant handheld GPS with a high-resolution color display and scratch-resistant, fogproof glass. It features increased memory to save and track 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes, and 300 fit activities, and supports multiple satellite constellations for reliable tracking around the world. The device comes preloaded with BlueChart g3 coastal charts, has a built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass, and a barometric altimeter that tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. The battery life is up to 20 hours in GPS mode.
Garmin GPSMAP 79s Handheld GPS
The Garmin GPSMAP 79s is a handheld GPS that is rugged, water-resistant, and floats in water. With its high-resolution color display and scratch-resistant, fogproof glass, you can easily track 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes, and 300 fit activities. It supports multiple satellite constellations for reliable tracking around the world and includes a worldwide basemap. The built-in 3-axis tilt-compensated electronic compass shows heading while standing still and the barometric altimeter tracks changes in pressure to pinpoint your precise altitude. The battery life can last up to 20 hours in GPS mode.
Garmin GPSMAP 79sc
The Garmin Marine GPS Handheld, also known as Garmin GPSMAP 79sc, is a rugged and water-resistant GPS device with a high-resolution color display. With the ability to save and track 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes, and 300 activities, this device ensures you never get lost. Supporting multiple satellite constellations, including GPS, GLONASS, and more, it provides reliable tracking worldwide. The preloaded BlueChart g3 coastal charts offer detailed marine navigation. Additionally, the built-in 3-axis electronic compass and barometric altimeter enhance your outdoor experience.
Garmin GPS 73 Handheld GPS
The Garmin GPS 73 Handheld GPS is an intuitive and easy-to-use device with features specifically designed for sailors, including virtual starting lines, countdown timers, speed history, and tack assist. With a long battery life of 18+ hours on 2 AA batteries, it also offers marine features like MOB, marine alarms, route planning, and navigation. You can store up to 1,000 waypoints and 100 tracks to help you find your favorite spots again easily. The device comes with the GPS 73, lanyard, and a quick start manual.
Garmin GPSMAP 86Sci Handheld GPS
The Garmin GPSMAP 86Sci is designed for boaters who want reliable navigation on the water. Its floating design and sunlight-readable 3-inch display make it easy to use, even in bright conditions. You can also stream data from compatible chartplotters, allowing you to consolidate your marine system information for better navigation. With preloaded BlueChart G3 coastal charts, you get access to top-quality Garmin and Navionics data, enhancing your mapping experience. Additionally, the device offers satellite communication, enabling two-way text messaging and keeping you connected wherever you are.
Garmin inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle
The Garmin inReach® Mini 2 Marine Bundle is a compact and lightweight satellite communicator that enables two-way messaging and interactive SOS globally. It comes with a screw-down mount and power cable, allowing you to mount your device at your helm for easy access. You can navigate back to your starting point using TracBack routing, share your location with loved ones back home anytime, and get accurate heading information using the digital compass. The device also has a long battery life of up to 14 days in 10-minute tracking mode.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you use a handheld GPS on a boat?
Yes, you can use a handheld GPS on a boat. If you intend to use it as your primary navigation tool, it is recommended to mount it in a helm location where it can be easily seen and operated. It is also important to connect it to the boat's power source to avoid relying solely on the unit's internal batteries.
2. Is a handheld GPS worth getting?
Yes, a handheld GPS is worth getting. While smartphones and GPS watches can be useful for navigation, they do not provide the same level of interactive and detailed capabilities as a high-quality handheld GPS. With a handheld GPS, you can view a layered overview of the terrain, insert waypoints, plan routes, and easily log data, making it a valuable tool for outdoor enthusiasts and marine navigation.
During our handheld gp for marine research, we found 16 handheld gp for marine products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,217 customer reviews through our big data system to write the handheld gps for marine list. We found that most customers choose handheld gps for marine with an average price of $221.09.
The handheld gps for marine are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of handheld gps for marine, including Garmin and more. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 82 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Alan Eaton is a seasoned writer whose expertise is in anything related to electronics, such as headphones, monitoring equipment, computer, and so on, built over a 15-year career in the technology industry. Working in the trade during his youth, he accumulated a great deal of knowledge about machinery.