In the last decade, hardly anyone could imagine a tourist without a guitar and stew, but today such people mostly take specialized equipment on hikes. A navigator became an obligatory companion for them. This device is capable of handling a number of complex tasks and can exchange data with other mobile devices. The needs of each tourist are individual, so navigator manufacturers have to constantly improve the products they provide. Trying to make the device the most efficient and reliable, the developers introduce many useful functions into it, which is appreciated by mushroom pickers, hunters and fishermen.
Buyers of tourism accessories are distinguished by their scrupulousness. They order mostly time-tested devices that have a sufficient number of positive reviews. However, the need for a new device arises much more often than we would like. The reasons for this may be the following: the device was damaged after a fall, was lost, drowned in a swamp, or forgotten in a parking lot. The specificity of the products presented is that it is unlikely that it will be possible to purchase the same option that the tourist had before. Therefore, you have to delve into the essence of new products and understand the operating features of modern flagships. The presented rating, obtained on the basis of analytical data and user reviews, will make the purchasing process much more conscious.
Table: top 6 navigators for the forest
| Model | Best Features | Permission | Working hours | Screen diagonal | Price from (RUB): | |
| Garmin eTrex 10 | according to reviews | 128×240 | 25 h | black and white 2.2 " | 7 100 | Find out prices |
| Garmin GPSMAP 62 | simple, cheap | 160×240 | 20 h | color 2.6 " | 5 700 | Find out prices |
| Garmin GPSMAP 64st | for hunting | 160×240 | 16 h | color 2.6 " | 22 500 | Find out prices |
| Garmin eTrex 20x | for hiking in the forest | 240×320 | 25 h | color 2.2 " | 11 400 | Find out prices |
| Garmin Dakota 10 | for mushroom pickers | 160×240 | 20 h | color 2.6 " | 10 900 | Find out prices |
| Garmin eTrex Touch 25 | portable | 160×240 | 16 h | color 2.6 " | 13 400 | Find out prices |
The best universal navigators for hunters
A universal navigator is a convenient and easy-to-use device that will come to the rescue both in the forest and within the city. It can be used for hunting, fishing, hiking, or for comfortable movement along city streets by car.
A good forest navigator must be reliable, so you should not save money by purchasing devices from unknown manufacturers. It is also recommended to pay attention to the warranty period of service, because an inexpensive device can fail at the most crucial moment. The rating of the best navigators will help you choose the optimal device that will definitely not let you down in an emergency.
Garmin eTrex 10
The device does not have the ability to increase memory capacity.
Garmin navigators for hunting are the best choice for everyone. The manufacturer offers reliable devices in any price range. Thus, the eTrex 10 model will cost only 7,800 rubles. This is the cheapest navigator for the forest with the most advanced functionality and high-quality assembly. For this price the buyer will receive:
- waterproof housing;
- large display;
- combined type of nutrition;
- compact sizes.
The display in this device is monochrome, 2.2” diagonal. Control is provided by a movable joystick located in the upper right corner of the device. This is the simplest navigator for forests and fishing, so it has no additional functions.
Garmin eTrex 10 - the best GPS navigator for orienteering in the forest, according to reviews
Garmin eTrex 10 is considered an entry-level portable navigator. The recently updated model includes the use of electronic geocaching. The operation of the device is based on GPS + GLONASS technology. The introduction of GLONASS technology, distributed in the Russian Federation, made it possible to reduce the signal reception time required to determine the location by 20%.
The updated version has improved the user interface and added a base map of the world. A useful change from the manufacturer was the use of a USB interface instead of a standard COM port. Garmin eTrex 10 is equipped with an improved 2.2 diagonal monochrome display, making it easy to use in different lighting conditions. The durable housing made of waterproof material ensures functionality in all weather conditions. The firmware interface is simplified, which will allow the user to quickly understand the specifics of the device’s operation.
Pros *
- robust design;
- the model is available on the market;
- long battery life.
Minuses *
- black and white display;
- inability to download an additional map;
- limited memory.
Other subtleties of the right purchase
Don't forget to pay attention to the capacity of the built-in batteries . Indeed, when working in field conditions, where partial or complete absence of electrical energy is not uncommon, this parameter is extremely important.
In order not to find yourself in such circumstances in an unfamiliar area alone, you need to buy the most simple devices that are not overloaded with additional functions. In this case, they will be able to work on one charge for a very long time. If you are interested in a multifunctional modern gadget with a touch screen, applications or image recording, it is better to take care of an additional battery or portable charger in advance.
As for the display and dimensions of the device, this indicator is controversial. Of course, it is much easier to work with a large screen, recognizing key elements on the map, but such a device hardly fits in the palm of your hand or in your pocket. Therefore, it is more practical to choose compact models, but here it all depends on your personal preferences.
It is advisable to choose devices with a quality compass and other sensors, including an altimeter, barometer, clock and alarm . With their help, you can make your stay in the open air as comfortable as possible.
It is also necessary to pay attention to the strength and reliability of the case. It is very good if it is made of materials that are resistant to various influences, preserving it from damage in the event of a fall or other incident.
If the device falls to the ground and breaks, then the purchase will be a waste of money.
A real joy for the traveler will be the support of water resistance and the ability to withstand the most likely impacts from the outside world.
Indeed, in addition to mechanical damage, the body is also threatened by such factors:
- Humidity.
- Precipitation.
- Evaporation.
- Ultraviolet radiation.
Taking into account the above parameters, you can successfully select the optimal option, which will combine all the necessary functions, reliability and availability. In this case, the device will cope with the assigned tasks at a high level, providing comfort in open, unknown areas.
Garmin GPSMAP 62 - a simple and cheap navigator for forests and fishing
The presented device will be a godsend for people with an active lifestyle. Thanks to its compact size, the device fits in a bag or pocket. This option is suitable for a runner, cyclist or the average hiker. The GPSMAP 62 model features built-in fisherman and hunter calendars. In addition to topographical diagrams, the navigator's arsenal includes devices for professionals: a 3-axis compass, a barometric altimeter, a 5-megapixel camera, and autofocus.
The durable housing allows you to dive under water to a depth of one meter. However, the owner should not experiment for more than 30 minutes. A significant part of the surface of the body is made of rubberized material, and therefore the device will not slip out of wet hands. The included lanyard is long enough to hang the device around your neck or to organize a simple belay on a backpack strap.
Pros *
- Carbin for fastening included;
- availability of a spare battery;
- The body is well assembled.
Minuses *
- braking during operation;
- touchscreen instead of a sensor.
Navigator selection criteria
Receiver capabilities
- Signals to the device come from many satellites in orbit. How many of them can a particular navigator “work” with?
- Sensitivity. Not all devices that support stable communications in open areas function reliably in the forest. This is one of the reasons why navigators installed in cars, fishing or hunting are usually useless.
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Display options
- Resolution. The clarity of the image directly depends on this.
- Navigator screen size. There is nothing to comment here.
When deciding on a display, you need to take into account the peculiarities of your vision and prepare for the worst situation (the golden rule, which many people forget). For example, you don’t have glasses at hand, the sun is on the horizon or has already gone. Will it be possible to see anything on the navigator screen? And not just vague outlines of contours, but to see a completely clear picture, a diagram.
But whether the display is color or black and white is up to the user to decide. For navigation while fishing or hunting, this does not matter. A color screen is only needed if the navigator has special options for viewing, for example, downloaded files to pass the time. How relevant is this for a person who goes out into nature for a very specific purpose?
It is unlikely that anyone would exchange an evening around the fire for a film that can be seen at home on the TV screen. And considering that the cost of a “color” navigator is significantly higher, such a device is unlikely to be needed for hunting or fishing.
Duration of continuous operation
This indicates how often the batteries will have to be replaced. This determines how much battery you need to take with you.
Availability of memory card
Navigators without this service, which determine only the geographic coordinates of the standing point, will not let you get lost. But only on the condition that the person has a compass, a map of the area and is trained to work with them. For example, it is correct to “reference”, determine the sides of the horizon, and so on. Therefore, when choosing a model, you should pay attention not only to the ability to load information into the navigator (memory capacity), but also to the presence of a built-in magnetic pointer.
All of the above are nothing more than general recommendations. Manufacturers are constantly updating, introducing, and improving something, so it is unrealistic to cover all the nuances of the functioning of navigators. For example, is it possible to mount a separate device on a dog’s collar (for hunters).
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Anglers may prefer a stationary model that is installed on a boat or boat. Some navigators have an echo sounder function. For someone who goes to nature not just to sit with a fishing rod, but to return with a rich catch, this is an indispensable help. But a hunter does not need this option at all. But if there is a built-in barometer, it will be equally useful for everyone who is forced to rely on weather conditions. The same applies to multi-level screen backlighting.
And yet – which specific navigator should a hunter or fisherman choose for himself?
Not all the advantages of devices that manufacturers and sellers emphasize to buyers are tested in practice. Some functions actually turn out to be useless, others do not live up to expectations.
- Before going to the store, it makes sense to interview friends who already use navigators. Their opinion and reviews of models are more objective.
- You can learn a lot of useful things by “visiting” thematic forums. On them, fishermen and hunters openly talk about the problems that they face when using GPS devices in “field” conditions.
The author did just that. It turned out that the most popular among “average” hunting and fishing enthusiasts are navigators under the GARMIN brand. Firstly, the devices are available in various modifications, therefore, you can choose the most suitable series. Secondly, the functionality is simple, so understanding the peculiarities of the navigator’s operation is not difficult even for a person who is still familiar with modern electronics. Thirdly, the price of the products is quite affordable, and their purchase is not burdensome for the family budget.
"E-Trex" 10 series
The device is sold in a yellow-black case that meets all requirements for moisture protection and shock resistance. Screen size 43 x 36 black and white; simple menu; continuous work throughout the day. The memory allows you to store information about 1000 standing points on 50 different routes.
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Price – within 5,500 rubles.
The same 20-series device is capable of working not only in the GPS system, but also in the domestic Glonass system. 1.7 GB memory, color screen, 2000 saved routes and marked points. All this increases the cost of the device.
Price – about 9,800 rubles.
Garmin GPSMAP 64st - the best GPS navigator for hunting
Garmin's rugged, portable tool features Bluetooth or ANT wireless connectivity. The device is equipped with a color screen with a diagonal size of 2.6, which allows you to obtain acceptable picture quality even during intense lighting. Highly sensitive GPS and GLONASS modules include the use of a quad helix antenna. The firmware includes downloaded maps of Russian roads, as well as an annual subscription to BirdsEye satellite images. Like the review leader, the device has a 3-axis compass with a barometric altimeter built into it. The maps available in the firmware include national, state or local parks. Also, the owner of the unit can get acquainted with information about the height of the terrain, the location of trails, rivers, lakes and other objects. Thanks to the Smart Notification function, you can receive text messages and other alerts that will be sent to your phone. To do this, you don’t have to take your communicator out of your pocket or backpack.
Pros *
- wireless data exchange;
- specially adapted firmware for mushroom pickers and tourists;
- presence of a color display.
Minuses *
- Subscription to free patterns is valid only for 12 months.
Garmin eTrex 20x - the best navigator for hiking in the woods
Externally, the device is pleasant to look at - it fits perfectly in the hand. The front panel is equipped with a joystick. There is a rubber seal around the perimeter of the battery compartment. The case is rubberized and waterproof. Batteries and rechargeable batteries can be used as a power source in the navigator. The navigator accepts vector or raster maps. The user can create routes and record tracks. The micro sd memory slot is located at the bottom of the battery compartment. A nice addition is mechanical protection against overturning. Menu elements are flexibly customizable.
Pros *
- flexible interface settings;
- uploading satellite images.
Minuses *
- the model has a sensitive joystick;
- short operating time from an autonomous power source.
Garmin Dakota 10 - the best navigator for mushroom pickers
A low-cost portable device, the Garmin Dakota 10 is similar to the Oregon series. The main emphasis that the manufacturer puts is accessibility for the budget segment. The GPS receiver is equipped with a touch display, which makes operating the device easy and convenient. Despite the presence of touchscreen recording, it is almost impossible to damage the module. The device perfectly picks up the satellite signal in a wide variety of urban and forest landscape conditions. Despite its budget price, the Dakota 10 includes support for 3D topographic maps. However, only 850 MB of memory is available for this. Includes USB cable and wrist strap.
Pros *
- excellent signal reception;
- stylish design;
- support for 3D topographic maps.
Minuses *
- non-expandable memory size;
- inability to exchange data with similar devices;
- There is no magnetic compass or barometric altimeter.
Selecting navigators
The principle of operation of a GPS navigator is to determine and fix the coordinates of the area using a signal from a satellite. At the same time, an important property of the device is the ability to catch a signal in difficult conditions from several satellites. The higher this number, the more reliable the navigator.
For a river with an open area and water surface, where the signal passes well, devices with a not very powerful sensor are suitable; for a forest, the requirements become much higher.
The navigator can become a faithful assistant to the fisherman, as with its help you can:
- Determine the coordinates of your location at a given time , which will make it possible to navigate the area and choose a further route, using the shortest distance if necessary.
- Using the map of a given region included in the navigator, you can determine the most optimal direction of movement towards your destination.
- All movement data is stored in the device’s memory card , which can provide tangible assistance in a critical situation and help you return to your starting point.
- Recording all distances and their travel times allows you to make the necessary calculations.
The main points that you need to pay attention to when choosing a navigator for fishing are:
- Everyone chooses the size of the display that is acceptable to them; some may be small, but for example, if you have poor eyesight, it is better to use a larger one.
The amount of memory should be such that it is possible to load a memory map of the area and record the route of movement on it;
- The ability to work autonomously , the continuous battery life of almost all navigators is approximately 20-24 hours, all that remains is to calculate the number of batteries for the expected time spent on the road;
- Number of marked points , the more, the better;
- Everyone chooses the size of the display that is acceptable to them ; some may be small, but for example, if you have poor eyesight, it is better to use a larger one;
- The protective properties of the case, the main indicators are protection against moisture penetration and shock, which is due to the conditions of operation in field conditions;
- Built-in electronic compass , which makes it easier to navigate the terrain.
It is also important that the device be able to determine the time of sunrise and sunset , phases of the moon, altitude above sea level, and preferably have a color screen.
There are car and travel GPS navigators on the market. Due to a number of special requirements, car navigators are not suitable for use in field conditions because:
- They are not protected from moisture penetration , and on the river, in a boat when fishing, contact with water can always occur;
- The battery life of the device is limited by built-in batteries that require constant recharging from an additional power source.
Compared to them, portable travel navigators are light in weight and size, have a waterproof body, run on regular batteries or rechargeable batteries, but at the same time have a small screen, are less sensitive and work very slowly.
When choosing a model, you should take into account the operating features, for example, when using in winter, you should determine the lower temperature when it is possible to use the device.
The ideal option would be to have two devices - one for moving along the route by car, the other directly for the fishing itself.
Garmin eTrex Touch 25 - portable pocket navigator for the forest
The eTrex Touch 25 is a compact, rugged and reliable portable navigator with GPS/GLONASS receiver. The unit has a color touch screen, as well as a 3-axis electronic compass with tilt compensation. Using several compatible mounts allows you to easily fix the device on an ATV, bicycle or car. The eTrex Touch 25 navigator is equipped with a slot for a microSD memory element and 4 GB of internal memory.
Pros *
- color capacitive touch screen with a diagonal of 2.6;
- using an external memory source.
Minuses *
- Some features are supported only by subscription.
How to choose the right navigator for the forest
A well-chosen navigator is an assistant with whom you will never get lost anywhere. At the same time, it doesn’t matter where the person was thrown by chance: on a walk, a hiking trip, a car trip, fishing, hunting, mushroom picking. So that at the most crucial moment in the middle of an unfamiliar area it does not become clear that the ordered device is completely ineffective and cannot build a route, you should choose it carefully.
There is an opinion that a car option will be enough for a hike in nature. However, this is far from the case: the mentioned units are designed exclusively for navigation on city streets in driving mode. In turn, a portable device for tourists is designed in such a way that it can be used with an independent power source for a long period (2-3 days). Also, such devices must be functional when visibility of the satellite is limited, which is due to the sensitivity of the antenna.
Terrain orientation: maps and routes
Common technologies for determining a person's location are GLONASS and GPS. The presented modules facilitate automatic route construction. Most devices on the market are hybrid: they use both modules, which speeds up signal transmission and reception. Important for positioning will be the ability to download maps in high resolution, which, in turn, places certain requirements on the hardware of the device.
Display
An effective device will be with a display with the maximum possible number of dots. This will allow you to be confident in the quality of the picture and the accuracy of determining the location. When you need a device that is economical in terms of energy consumption, it is better to take a closer look at the black and white options, otherwise, order a navigator with a color display.
Memory and processor
The number of maps that can be loaded depends on the size of the memory, as well as the possibility of expanding it using external sources. Equally important is the scaling function, which depends on the speed of the hardware.
Case and battery
The best option for a device would be a navigator equipped with a large battery capacity. The ability to use batteries instead of batteries is convenient during long treks.
When choosing a case, pay attention to the following: compactness, weight, shock resistance and moisture resistance. These parameters are important for lovers of extreme walking. Most prefer compact devices that fit confidently in the palm of your hand or fit into your pocket.
Additional functions and modes of the device
The navigator is a complex electronic device that is equipped with a processor of a certain power, a small screen and an operating system. By and large, it resembles a small tablet or communicator that can be used for more than just navigation. Its additional features include the following:
- obtaining information about fishing objects, lunar phases;
- autosave last route;
- entering into the device’s memory catching points on the reservoir;
- determination of altitude above sea level;
- Using the built-in barometer to forecast the weather.
Car navigator for fishing
There are car and travel GPS devices on the market. The former are intended primarily for orientation on public roads.
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They are capable of:
- give voice prompts to drivers that the desired turn is approaching
- issue warnings if the permissible speed is exceeded
- find the necessary addresses in the databases of built-in electronic maps and calculate routes to them
- calculate travel time to your destination
They have fairly large screens that allow them to display maps of the area with a high degree of detail. By changing some settings in the route planning options, auto-navigators can also be used on the water. They will regularly and accurately show the current location of the fisherman on the map of the area, record the route of his movement in memory, remember the catching places and subsequently accurately display them.
However, such devices have some operational disadvantages. First of all, they are afraid of the effects of water, and it is impossible to escape from it in a boat. The second disadvantage is the limited time of autonomous power supply of the device from built-in batteries. And not every boat is equipped with a 12 V power source for connecting a car navigator using the included power adapter for the cigarette lighter.
The Internet offers various compromise options for using weakly protected car navigators when fishing (on the water) - from making homemade boxes for batteries to placing the navigator in a plastic bag - “aquapack” for water protection.
