Not All Garmins Are Created Equal

All Garmins are not created equal! It is difficult to understand the use or value of the devices. I’m going to provides some clarity and examples about the various models.

Let’s lay some groundwork.

Here is the thing to keep in mind with the Garmin vs Google Maps thinking: Modern Maps are significantly better a finding points-of-interest (POI) while Garmin is better at getting you there.

In a Google Maps world Garmin devices seem ancient and relegated to the off-grid emergency button. Here is the thing to keep in mind with the Garmin vs Google Maps thinking: Modern Maps are significantly better a finding points-of-interest (POI) while Garmin is better at getting you there. Providing a better mechanism for finding POI is how Google Maps pulled ahead of Garmin. Garmin has largely chosen to stay in the 1990s software and POI era and the gap between ease of use and Google Maps has widened to a chasm. Most people find it difficult to understand and use Garmin due to that ever-widening ease-of-use gap.

Also, in Garmin-land, there are different map types.

  • Basic Topological Maps.
  • 100k Topological Maps.
  • Trail and Hiking Maps.
  • Driving Maps.
  • Hunting Maps.

Most of us wouldn’t find basic or 100k topo maps very useful. To get the Google Maps experience usually requires combining maps in Garmin.

A note on the Garmin Hunting maps: Most hunters are used to Onx or similar hunting app. Onx provides a great amount of detail about the land combined with routing, tracking, and custom POI. It is a powerful app that is easy to use and easy to share with others. Garmin Hunting maps unfortunately don’t hold a candle to the Onx app. Again, Garmin is stuck in the 1990s era software mentality.

Garmin 401Garmin 601

Garmin Foretrex 401/601/701 Series

These devices are basic. A lot of time modern military guys are seen with these kinds of devices. However, they only really provide coordinates, compass, routes, tracks, and manual POI. All data is on a simple, non-map background. It is really meant as an aid to a map and compass. It gives you a means to check distance and compass at the same time. If you want to maximize your use of the device, a detailed understanding of Garmin Basecamp and navigation will be needed. You will have to create the data in Basecamp and sync it over to the device.

Some of the Foretrex line have the Applied Ballistics app built into them. This is a great tool for long range shooter, but increases the cost of the device significantly.

While very cool, the utility isn’t there for the modern navigator use to Google Maps.

Garmin 67i

Garmin GPSMAP Series

These devices are the next step up. They provide a significant amount of data in a small package while adding an emergency button and satellite communication via text messages. These devices have full 100k topo maps with the option to add/purchase other map packages for driving and hunting. They are mapping powerhouses providing large databases of POI, software to create routes on-device, satellite imagery, weather, and more. These devices are meant to be an offline wealth of information and a complete navigation system. They also excel at single handed operation with gloves on.

Garmin Rino

Garmin Rino Series

Simply put, the Rino series combines a GPSMAP with a GMRS radio. The same power found in the GPSMAP series is in here. The GMRS radio is terrific to talk to your team and share location. All can be done offline. The Rino trades the physical buttons for a touch screen interface with a few physical buttons on the side. There is no emergency button on these devices either.

Honorable Mentions

Wearables

Garmin has become a top tier smart watch competitor. They can do mapping and a host of other tasks. While these devices can operate as a full GPS, I wouldn't want to use them as my primary navigation device. I'm not saying don't use them, but for me, I'd like to focus on something that I can really use to navigate and communicate with.

Touch Screens

Garmin again has some great touch screen devices with the Montana series. They are more user friendly than the GPSMAP series. If you really need a satellite communicator device with good keyboard, this is a solid product. However, I tend to steer towards devices that can be used with gloves. Both the GPSMAP series and modern mobile phones are better equipped for gloves.