Best Hunting GPS Under $200
Finding the best hunting GPS under $200 might sound like a challenge, but believe it or not, it’s absolutely doable. Whether you’re tracking deer deep in the woods or navigating rough terrain, a reliable GPS can be your best companion, ensuring you always find your way back.
In this article, we’ll explore the top options available that won’t break the bank.
Table of Contents
The Importance of a Good Hunting GPS
Why is a good hunting GPS so crucial, you ask? Imagine you’re in the middle of nowhere, and your sense of direction starts to falter. A reliable GPS does more than just guide you back; it ensures your safety, enhances your hunting experience, and, most importantly, keeps you focused on the hunt rather than worrying about navigation.
Top Picks for Hunting GPS Under $200
Diving into the top picks, let’s look at what makes each stand out. We’ve curated a list based on durability, accuracy, battery life, and user-friendliness all without exceeding the $200 mark.
The Garmin 010-02256-00 eTrex 22x is a rugged, handheld GPS navigator designed to offer reliability, ease of use, and affordability for outdoor enthusiasts. With its compact size and durable black/navy casing, it is ideal for a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, cycling, camping, and more. Here’s a quick overview of its key features:
- Screen Size and Display: The device features a 2.2-inch sunlight-readable color display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This ensures improved readability in various lighting conditions, making it easier to navigate and read the map details.
- Mapping and Navigation: It comes preloaded with TopoActive maps that include routable roads and trails for cycling and hiking. These maps provide detailed topographical information, which is essential for planning your outdoor adventures.
- Satellite Connectivity: With support for both GPS and GLONASS satellite systems, the eTrex 22x offers enhanced tracking capabilities, allowing for more accurate location tracking in challenging environments where GPS alone might not be sufficient.
- Memory and Storage: The device includes 8 GB of internal memory for map downloads and also features a microSD card slot for additional storage. This flexibility allows users to expand their map library and tailor it to their specific needs.
Overall, the Garmin eTrex 22x is a feature-rich GPS navigator that offers a great balance of functionality, durability, and affordability. It’s an excellent choice for anyone looking to explore the great outdoors with confidence and reliability.
2.Magellan eXplorist 350H Handheld GPS
The Magellan eXplorist 350H Handheld GPS, designed specifically for hunters, stands out in the Magellan lineup with its robust set of features tailored for outdoor adventures.
This model comes equipped with a 3.5-inch, sunlight-viewable, high-contrast color TFT LCD screen, one of the largest available on a rugged handheld GPS device.
Its design focuses on providing a clear and easily navigable display, even in direct sunlight, enhancing the outdoor experience whether you’re trekking through the woods or waiting in a hide.
- Water Resistance: The device is built to withstand the elements, offering water-resistant capabilities that protect it during inclement weather or if accidentally dropped in water.
- Connectivity: Utilizes serial connectivity, allowing for the transfer of data between the device and other compatible hardware, such as a personal computer, for the management of maps and waypoints.
- Map Storage: With 30MB of internal memory and an expandable memory option through a built-in SD card reader/writer, the eXplorist 350H offers ample storage for all your mapping needs. This feature ensures that users can carry a wide range of detailed maps, enhancing navigation and situational awareness during hunts.
The Magellan eXplorist 350H Handheld GPS exemplifies the blend of ruggedness, advanced technology, and user-friendly design. It’s engineered to meet the demands of serious hunters looking for a reliable GPS companion that offers detailed mapping capabilities, durability against the elements, and specialized features for hunting.
Whether used for camping, boating, fishing, or navigating the backcountry, the eXplorist 350H is designed to enhance the outdoor experience by providing critical navigational support in a wide range of environments.
3.Bushnell 360500 Back Track Hunt
The Bushnell 360500 Back Track Hunt, known as the Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS, is designed for adventurers who trek into areas where cell coverage is unreliable or non-existent.
This compact and rugged device is your safeguard against getting lost in the wilderness, whether you’re hiking, backpacking, or hunting.
- Screen Size and Display: With a 2-inch screen, the device offers an easy-to-read display that’s designed to be user-friendly, even in challenging outdoor conditions.
- Durability and Battery Life: It’s built to be waterproof and rugged, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor activities. The battery life is remarkable, lasting up to 35 hours on a single charge, ensuring reliability for extended trips.
- Power Source: Unlike devices that require the frequent purchase of batteries, the BackTrack Mini is rechargeable via Micro USB, adding convenience and saving costs in the long run.
- Included Components: The device comes with everything you need to get started, including the BackTrack Mini GPS itself, an adapter plate, and a carabiner for easy attachment to your gear.
The Bushnell BackTrack Mini GPS is a versatile and durable navigator designed for the outdoors. Its blend of robust features with the convenience of rechargeable batteries and Bluetooth connectivity makes it a must-have for anyone venturing into remote areas.
4.Garmin Foretrex 601, 2 inches
The Garmin 010-01772-00 Foretrex 601 is a robust wrist-mounted GPS navigator designed to meet military standards (MIL-STD-810G), ensuring durability and reliability in the most demanding environments.
It’s compatible with night vision goggles and offers Bluetooth connectivity for seamless integration with other devices. This model stands out for its compatibility with multiple satellite systems – GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo – providing accurate positioning anywhere in the world.
- Multi-Satellite Support: Ensures reliable location tracking by connecting to GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems.
- Navigation Sensors: Equipped with a 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass, and a barometric altimeter for comprehensive navigation data.
- Smart Notifications: Allows you to receive emails, texts, and alerts directly on the device, keeping you connected without having to access your smartphone.
- Exceptional Battery Life: Offers over 48 hours of navigation mode, up to one week in UltraTrac mode, and up to one month in watch mode, minimizing the need for frequent recharging.
- Rugged Design: Built to military specifications, it is durable enough to withstand extreme conditions and compatible with night vision goggles for operations in low-light conditions.
The Garmin Foretrex 601 is not just a GPS navigator but a comprehensive outdoor tool that offers advanced navigation features, connectivity options, and durability for adventurous individuals, military personnel, and outdoor enthusiasts. Its wrist-mounted design ensures that vital navigation data is always at hand, and its extensive battery life makes it ideal for extended expeditions in remote areas.
5.Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro
The Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro is a high-performance, Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver designed to enhance the navigation capabilities of up to five devices simultaneously, including iPhones, iPads, and iPod touch devices.
This makes it a versatile companion for a variety of outdoor activities such as boating, walking, cycling, running, and more.
- Connectivity: It can connect to up to five devices at once via Bluetooth, ensuring that everyone in your group can have access to accurate location data. It is also compatible with devices through cellular and Wi-Fi connections, as well as USB for charging and data transfer.
- Accuracy and Speed: The device boasts a 66-channel WAAS GPS with an accuracy of 2.5m (9ft) and fast satellite lock times, ensuring reliable and precise location tracking.
- Battery Life: With an extended battery life of up to 35 hours, it supports long periods of use without the need for frequent recharging, making it ideal for extended outdoor adventures.
Conclusion
the best hunting GPS under $200 demonstrates that it’s entirely possible to find a device that offers reliability, accuracy, and durability without breaking the bank.
While affordability is a key factor, our exploration emphasizes the importance of not compromising on essential features such as battery life, ease of use, and satellite reception.
By prioritizing these aspects, hunters can ensure they are equipped with a tool that not only enhances their hunting experience but also ensures safety in the wilderness.
The options highlighted show that with careful consideration and research, finding a high-quality hunting GPS within this price range is not only feasible but can also meet the varied needs of modern hunters. This balance of cost and functionality makes the pursuit for the ideal hunting companion both exciting and rewarding.