The Best GPS Devices for International Travel

As the official navigator of team Life Remotely, I’m in charge of getting us where we need to go as painlessly as possible. There are two very important tools for this task: a GPS device, and a decent digital map. The two are inseparable. A map does no good without satellite reception, and an excellent GPS isn't worth squat without a navigable map.

This is part one about how to pick the best GPS unit for international travel. In part two I discuss the best maps for navigating the Pan-American Highway.

Why Garmin?

There is only one brand you need to look at if you’re traveling internationally, and that’s Garmin. No, we aren’t sponsored by them, nor am I being paid to write this post. Not that DeLorme, TomTom and Magellan fail to make good devices. Actually, they are quite comparable to Garmin. However, there is one huge deciding factor that puts Garmin miles above the rest, summed up in two words: open source.

Garmin accepts third party maps. You can make your own, trade with other travelers, download OpenStreetMaps or any of the other FREE open source map from non-profits around the globe. Trust me, the amount you could spend on maps far exceeds the cost of a GPS unit. Take advantage of the free (and often superior) maps available and buy a Garmin.

Device Options

At this time Garmin lists more than 150 GPS devices for sale on their website. The selection is daunting. Even more daunting is the thought of trying to find an intelligent salesperson to explain the difference. Thankfully you have me, Jessica, GPS nerd-extraordinaire to break it down for you.

First, we’re going to cut out all the very specialized devices. I’m writing for overlanders and backpackers, not for mountaineering athletes, mariners, pilots or dog trackers. We’re going to stick to devices in the “on the trail” and “on the road” categories.

Note: Garmin makes an awesome series of GPS devise for motorcycles. Check out the options here if you happen to be traveling with a bike.

On the Trail Handheld Devices

Garmin’s "on the trail" series is by far their largest. But, don’t think that these devices are only good for hiking, quite the contrary. They all accept road maps and can route turn by turn just like a normal dash-mounted device.

Pros of “on the trail" devices:

• They work on the road AND on the trail, plus they tend to be more accurate while navigating city blocks
• The GPS reception is reliably better
• They are built tough and most are waterproof
• Most include a compass and altimeter

Cons of “on the trail” devices:

• The most rugged models do not have touch screens
• The screens are often smaller and thus are are harder to use if you are driving without a navigator
• Kits to mount to your vehicle cost extra
• They are more expensive

Which trail device to buy?

Yeah, I know, again we run into the issue of having 23 options. Well I’ll make it easy for you. Here are the top two models.

GPSMAP 62s ($375-450)

Garmin describes it as “top-of-the-line”. And it is! The GPSMAP models runs between $349-600. Don’t freak out, you don’t need the $600 model, unless you consider a 5-megapixel camera essential to your GPS. Also, these are list prices.

Model number note: Every few years the model number goes up and so does the price, usually with very few new features worth paying for. If you can find the GPSMAP 60 model then buy it! It’s just as good, and will undoubtedly be cheaper. If the 64 has been released by the time you read this, then start looking for cheap 62s to take home. 

Pros of this device:

• You can run it on AA batteries or power through your car with an additional adapter kit
• Reception is epic – works in canyons, big cities, and the middle of nowhere
• It routes for driving but also is accurate enough for hiking
• It has an altimeter and a compass
• It is waterproof
• You can beat the living crap out of it. Drop it on asphalt, slam it in the glove box, cram it in a backpack and hike through torrential downpours, and it will keep on chugging. (I’m speaking from experience here.)

Cons of this device:

• The automotive navigation kit needed to mount the GPS to your dash and to charge through your cigarette lighter costs $30-50
• It’s not touch screen
• It takes a while to get used to which buttons to push
• The screen is relatively small
  

You’ll notice there are several other GPSMAP 62 sub-models available. What’s the difference between them?

• Built in memory (more memory more maps). This isn’t really important because all devices accept microSD cards that you can use to expand memory for super cheap.
• Barometric altimeter- Only the lowest model (the straight 62) doesn’t have an altimeter. If you are headed into serious mountains, spend the extra cash. We’ve used this feature hundreds of times.
• Some include maps, but usually only of the US and Canada. If there is a "t" on the end of the model name it comes with topo maps.
• 5MP camera- Seriously? If you need a camera on your GPS stop reading now and just go buy the most expensive GPS Garmin sells, the Montana 650t.

Montana 600 ($475-600)

This is the perfect road meets trail device. It has all the perks of the GPSMAP device (above) only with a giant touch screen. If you want user friendly, great reception and have $500 to spend, this is your device. I may own (and love) the GPSMAP 60, but I want to own this device more than I want a solar powered espresso maker.

Pros of this device:

• It is touch screen!
• All the pros of the GPSMAPS 62s
  
  • It runs on AA batteries or your car
  • Reception is epic
  • Works for driving and hiking (also on motorcycles!)
  • It has an altimeter and a compass
  • It's waterproof

Cons of this device:

• Montana's are the most expensive "on the trail" devices Garmin sells
• Accessories, like car mounting kits, cost extra

You’ll notice there are two other Montana models available. What’s the difference between them?

• The 650 comes with a built in camera
• The 650t comes with the camera and US topo maps

There are three other models of “on the trail” type GPS units. I’ve never used any of them, but I have done a pile of research. Here they are with a brief description of why you should or shouldn’t consider them:

• Oregon ($330-400) – A handheld touchscreen device, almost as advanced as the Montana series, just without all the bells and whistles. If you want touch screen for driving and hiking for under $500, check these out.
• Dakota ($200-280) – In short, one step above the eTrex and one step below the Oregon. Lower resolution, less waypoints, smaller screen, but also a nicer price.
• eTrex ($99-300) - These are the most affordable devices, but comes with lots of restrictions. If you are tight on cash buy a GPS designed for on the road, like a Nuvi 50. The eTrex will only disappoint.

On the Road Flat Screen Devices

The second option is to buy a traditional road device. These are the most commonly used in cars around the world. They almost always come with kits to mount to your dash and power through your car’s cigarette lighter. Garmin makes several series of on the road, dash-mounted devices. Because new models are released constantly, I will simply refer to them as the 4-digit series and the 2-digit series. Here’s a quick rundown of the differences:

Nuvi two digit series (Currently Nuvi 30- Nuvi 50) $100-180     

• 3.5-5” touch screen
• Software upgrades like “dual view” and “lane assist”
• No altimeter or compass

Nuvi four digit series (Currently Nuvi 3450) $300-380

• Supports multi-touch like pinch to zoom
• Larger and higher resolution screens
• Longer battery life
• Traffic updates with a paid service
• Software upgrades like “dual view” and “lane assist”

Which On the Road Flat Screen Device Should You Buy?

Honestly, neither. You should go buy a handheld GPSMAP device that I rambled on about above (or a Montana, if you want touch screen). Ok, ok. But if you really want a driver-friendly, touchscreen GPS that won’t break the bank, than buy the Nuvi 50.

Why? Because if you are going to spend the money for a four digit model (i.e. the Nuvi 3450LMT) than you might as well buy a trail model that you can beat up, throw in a backpack, run on AA batteries, that includes and altimeter and more accurate positioning and routing. The perks of the higher-end on the road models are only worth the cost if you are staying in the US and plan on doing serious commuting.

Again, all of these models have various “sub models” specified by random letters appended to the model number. You decide what’s worth paying for. In my opinion, if you’re going cheap you might as well go all the way. In general the cheaper models (with less letters):

• Have smaller screens
• Are thicker, bulkier devices
• Don’t have memory expansion slots  
• Don’t have compass or altimeter
• Don’t include maps
• Can’t share data wirelessly
• Lack some software enhancements

The Bottom Line

Always buy Garmin. Buy the GPSMAP 62s for best all-around performance while driving and on trails. If you want the same quality as the GPSMAP series, but with easier to use touchscreen, buy the Montana 600. If you can’t live without touchscreen, but can’t afford the Montana price tag, check out the Oregon 450. If you just want something cheap and functional buy the Nuvi 50, just be gentle with it, and don’t take it hiking.

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