Updated for 2023.

Having a hunting GPS with you on your next trip can be a durable navigation tool to aid with marking waypoints, tracking routes, or scouting for game. Handheld GPS units for hunting have different strengths and features, so finding the right one for you in 2023 will depend on how you want to use it and what features are most important. We’ve rounded up the most recently reviewed Garmin hunting GPS units, along with ones that have stood the test of time. Of course, every smartphone can be a hunting GPS with onX Hunt for iPhone and Android.

How GPS Works

GPS technology was developed by the military in the early 1970s as a means of navigation that would not be limited by weather patterns. It is a system of 30+ satellites orbiting Earth. A GPS unit (or your phone) listens to the signals from these satellites. Once your receiver can calculate its distance from four or more GPS satellites, it can figure out where you are within 7.8 meters 95% of the time. Ground stations work in tandem with the navigation satellites and use radar to make sure they are actually where our units think they are.

Top-Rated Handheld GPS for 2023

Generally speaking, there are no new handheld units debuting in 2023. Most GPS manufacturers are hyper-focused on wearable units and vehicle navigation units. However, some of the most recent versions of units discussed below are standing out among all handheld GPS in 2023. Those include:

• Garmin Montana 700i / 750i
• Garmin inReach Explorer+
• Garmin inReach Mini 2
• Garmin GPSMAP 66sr

Hunting GPS – Garmin GPSMAP Series

The GPSMAP series is one of the easiest hunting GPS units to use because of its simple menu and the fact it doesn’t have a touchscreen so you can use it with gloves on. Its large 3” screen makes reading color-coded public land maps an ease.

Hunters can access multiple global navigation satellite systems (GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo) with this unit, which improves tracking in the most challenging environments and works better than GPS alone.

The potential downside for this unit, however, is that the GPSMAP series is one of the heavier GPS units to carry hunting.

Hunting GPS – Oregon Series

The Oregon series is rugged and has a sunlight-readable touchscreen with dual orientation (landscape and portrait). With a redesigned antenna, it now has better GPS and GLONASS reception. The Oregon 750t has built-in Wi-Fi and a camera. If you save your photos to your computer, you can add them to your Waypoints on the onX for Desktop.

The average battery life for the Oregon series is about 16 hours and its water rating is IPX7, which means it withstands incidental exposure to water of up to one meter for up to 30 minutes.

Hunting GPS – Rino Series

The Rino series is where hunting GPS meets walkie-talkie. With a range of 20 miles, the Rino 755t can communicate by voice or unit-to-unit text messaging. It also features a dual battery system, allowing 14 hours of use between charges on its lithium-ion pack or up to 18 hours with AA batteries.

Another fine feature of the Rino series is the ability to send your exact location to other Rino users so they can see it on their map displays.

The cons for the Rino are its high price point and that it’s heavier than most other hunting GPS units.

Hunting GPS – eTrex Series

A first-time hunting GPS for many hunters, the eTrex series are typically the least expensive units. They are lightweight and have a respectable battery life. On the flip side, however, is its small 2.6-inch screen and limited menu. If you’re looking for a stripped-down hunting GPS, the eTrex is it, but with several different models from which to choose in the series.

Hunting GPS – Montana Series

With one of the largest display screens (4-inch) on the market and an 8-megapixel autofocus camera that automatically geotags photos, the Montana Series is the upper echelon of hunting GPS units from Garmin.

The Montana series can also be mounted virtually anywhere with a variety of compatible mounts, making these GPS units designed for use on ATVs, boats, RV, or in your off-road vehicle.

onX Hunt App

Maybe the best hunting GPS is actually the best hunting app? In fact, we now believe you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a GPS to have one with you on your 2023 hunting trip. With your iPhone or Android and the onX Hunt App, you’ll have all the detailed topographic maps, recreation points, land ownership maps, and the ability to save and share waypoints without needing to carry a separate device.

With our team of engineers updating information frequently, the Hunt App is the future of hunting GPS. The App allows for dynamic aerial imagery, more up-to-date landowner data, and so many more features than a handheld GPS could ever dream of offering. 

With our Map Layers and Tools, you can bring a lot more information to the field this hunting season. All these features come with Premium, Premium Two-State, or Elite Memberships:

• Over 400 map overlays, including Current and Historic Wildfire Layers, Roadless Areas, and Hunting Districts/GMUs.
• 400,000+ miles of trails.
• 985 million acres of color-coded public land.
• 121 million private properties with up-to-date landowner names and property boundaries.
• Current weather conditions, including temperature and wind direction. Also has an extended 7-day forecast.
• Lines and Distance Measuring. Draw straight lines and measure the distance between points.
• Area Shape Tool. Draw a polygon and measure the length of its sides and the area.

And with our Offline Maps, you’ll be able to navigate and use all maps and map layers without the need for cellular service – working with the same GPS capabilities as the units above.

Note for 2023: The onX Hunt Chip for GPS has served us well over the years, but since we released the Hunt App our primary goal has been to build the best hunting GPS app on the market. This led to onX deciding to deprecate the Hunt Chip, especially given that fewer and fewer units are compatible with it, and no longer update maps for the Chip. Now every Basemap, Layer, and feature we offer can be found on the Hunt App and in the palm of your hand on whichever Android or iOS device you carry with you every day. Try the App free for 7 days and see for yourself.