Are you considering which handheld GPS device to buy? The comparison table below compares 12 of the very latest Garmin handheld devices including Garmin Montana, Garmin GPSMAP and Garmin inReach models.
The table highlights the main comparison features e.g. screen size, control type, built-in camera and battery life, to enable you to identify and see the difference between models.
The Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus, Montana 760i and Montana 710i all feature a touchscreen display, while the Garmin GPSMAP 67i, GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 79s and GPS 73 use physical button control. Touchscreen is ideal in dry conditions. Button control is better suited for more demanding environments e.g. out at sea with spray/rain, in snowy conditions, etc. The three Garmin inReach models (Mini 2, Mini 2 Marine Bundle and Messenger) are compact satellite communicators designed to pair with a smartphone or a compatible Garmin device.
For further help on deciding the best handheld GPS system to buy for your needs or maybe as a gift for somebody else, please see the product pages or phone 01733 777623 (Mon-Fri 9:30am-5pm) outside of these hours please contact us.
Handheld GPS Features Comparison
| Model | Screen | Control | Camera | Battery Life | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus |
3.5-inch | Touchscreen | Yes (front and rear) | Up to 48 hours (inReach mode) | From £849.99 | Flagship model with front and rear cameras |
 Garmin Montana 760i |
5-inch | Touchscreen | Yes (8MP) | Up to 24 hours (GPS mode) | From £769.99 | Largest touchscreen with built-in camera |
 Garmin Montana 710i |
5-inch | Touchscreen | No | Up to 24 hours (GPS mode) | From £689.99 | Largest touchscreen without camera |
 Garmin GPSMAP 67i |
3-inch | Buttons | - | Up to 165 hours (tracking mode) | From £499.99 | Exceptional battery life for expeditions |
 Garmin GPSMAP 86i |
3-inch | Buttons | - | Up to 200 hours (Expedition mode) | From £499.99 | Floats on water - dual land and marine use |
 Garmin GPSMAP 79s |
3-inch | Buttons | - | Up to 19 hours | From £299.99 | Affordable floating marine handheld |
 Garmin GPS 73 |
2.6-inch | Buttons | - | Over 18 hours | From £159.99 | Entry-level, with SailAssist for dinghy sailors |
 Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus |
1.9-inch | Touchscreen | - | Up to 350 hours (10-minute tracking) | From £439.99 | Colour touchscreen communicator with voice and photo messaging |
 Garmin inReach Mini 3 |
1.9-inch | Touchscreen | - | Up to 350 hours (10-minute tracking) | From £389.99 | Colour touchscreen communicator, pairs with your own device |
 Garmin inReach Mini 2 |
0.9-inch | - | - | Up to 14 days (10-minute tracking) | From £249.99 | Compact communicator, pairs with your own device |
 Garmin inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle |
0.9-inch | - | - | Up to 14 days (10-minute tracking) | From £319.99 | inReach Mini 2 with marine mounting accessories |
 Garmin inReach Messenger |
1-inch | - | - | Up to 28 days (10-minute tracking) | From £229.99 | Pairs with smartphone via Garmin Messenger App |
Want to compare more Garmin handheld GPS models?
The above table only represents a small fraction of the Garmin handheld models you can buy from ActiveGPS. If you would like to compare handheld models from a different Garmin range e.g. GPSMAP handhelds, please click on the relevant link below to compare models:
‣Garmin GPSMAP comparison table
‣Garmin inReach comparison table
‣Garmin Montana comparison table
Frequently asked questions
Q. Should I choose a touchscreen or button-controlled handheld GPS?
A. The Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus, Montana 760i and Montana 710i use a touchscreen, which is quick to navigate and familiar if you are used to a smartphone. The Garmin GPSMAP 67i, GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 79s and GPS 73 use physical button control instead, which keeps working reliably in wet conditions such as rain, snow or sea spray where a wet touchscreen can become unresponsive. If you expect to use the device mainly outdoors in poor weather or on the water, button control is the more reliable choice.
Q. Why do battery life figures vary so much between models?
A. Battery life figures in the table are not on a like for like basis because manufacturers test and report them differently. The GPSMAP models quote hours in a single tracking or expedition mode, the Montana models quote hours in GPS mode, and the inReach devices quote days based on tracking interval, for example sending a location update every 10 minutes. When comparing, check which mode the figure applies to on the individual product page rather than comparing the headline number alone, and think about which mode matches how you actually plan to use the device.
Q. Is Garmin inReach worth paying extra for on a UK hiking trip?
A. inReach adds two-way satellite messaging and 24/7 SOS coverage via the Iridium satellite network, so you can contact people or call for emergency help even with no mobile signal. It requires an ongoing subscription on top of the device price. It is most worthwhile if you regularly hike alone or head into remote areas with poor mobile coverage such as the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia or parts of the Lake District. If you mostly stick to well-covered UK routes, a model without inReach such as the GPSMAP 79s or GPS 73 may be enough.
Q. Which handheld GPS models have a built-in camera, and does it matter?
A. Of the models in this table, only the Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus (front and rear cameras) and Garmin Montana 760i (8MP camera) have a built-in camera. A camera is useful for logging photos alongside your GPS track, for example on a wildlife walk or survey trip, but it adds cost, and most hikers get by fine using a smartphone camera alongside a camera-free handheld such as the Montana 710i or GPSMAP 67i.
Q. Which handheld GPS models are suitable for marine or water use?
A. The Garmin GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 79s and GPS 73 all float on water, making them a safer choice if there is a risk of dropping the device overboard. The GPSMAP 86i is specifically designed for dual land and marine use and can also act as a remote control for compatible Garmin autopilot and FUSION marine products, while the GPSMAP 79s and GPS 73 are simpler floating handhelds without satellite communication.
Q. What is the most affordable handheld GPS in this comparison?
A. The Garmin GPS 73 is the most affordable handheld in this table at £159.99. It has a smaller 2.6-inch screen and fewer features than the GPSMAP or Montana ranges, but it floats on water, includes Garmin SailAssist for dinghy sailing, and covers the core GPS, waypoint and route functions most buyers need.
Q. Do I need a dedicated handheld GPS if I already have a smartphone with mapping apps?
A. A dedicated handheld GPS is more rugged, waterproof and has far longer battery life than a smartphone, and it works reliably in areas with no mobile signal because it uses GPS satellites directly. Smartphones are fine for well-signposted routes near mobile coverage, but for multi-day hikes, remote areas or wet conditions a handheld is far more dependable. Models with inReach, such as the GPSMAP H1i Plus or inReach Mini 2, also add satellite messaging that a smartphone alone cannot provide.
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This page was last updated on: 16th September 2026
