Garmin GPSMAP Series - Which GPSMAP should I buy?

Garmin has been distributing GPS devices under the brand name "GPSMAP" for almost 20 years. These are rugged GPS handheld devices especially for

outdoor &
marine applications.

A key feature of many GPSMAP models is the typical quad helix antenna. This type of antenna usually provides an excellent GPS reception – a particular strength of GPSMAP devices!

In contrast, the floating marine handhelds are mostly equipped with a patch antenna – accordingly the antenna stub is missing (exceptions: 86i/86s)

The following pictures show four typical GPS models (from left: 66st, 64sx, 86i, 78s; ©Garmin)

How has the GPSMAP series evolved over the years?

The Garmin GPSMAP success story began in 2001 with the GPSMAP 76 marine unit and in 2003 with the GPSMAP 60C outdoor unit!

The models in detail

Outdoor

60C / 60CS
60Cx / 60CSx
62 / 62s / 62st
62sc / 62stc
64 / 64s / 64st / 64sc
64x / 64sx / 64csx
65* / 65s*
66s / 66st / 66i / 66sr*

* 2020

Marine

76
76s
76C / 76CS
76Cx / 76CSx
78 / 78s / 78sc
86s / 86i
79s / 79sc

Garmin GPSMAP outdoor handhelds: 60Cx, 62st, 64s, 64sx, 65s, 66s, 66sr

Which GPSMAP devices are available 2021?

Outdoor devices (*)

GPSMAP 66 series (66i, 66s, 66st, 66sr)
GPSMAP 65 series (65, 65s)
GPSMAP 64 series (64x, 64sx, 64csx)

Marine devices (*)

GPSMAP 86 series (86i, 86s, 86sc, 86sci)
GPSMAP 78 series (78, 78s, 78sc)
GPSMAP 79 series (79s, 79sc)

(*) depending on your country

14%

Garmin GPSMAP 65s – robustes GPS-Outdoor-Navi mit vorinstallierter TopoActive Eu... *

449,99 €

388,49 €

(Stand von: 2024/04/25 1:14 pm - )

View on Amazon *

VORINSTALLIERTE EUROPAKARTE: Für die perfekte Navigation beim Wandern, Bergsteigen oder auch Geocachen sorgt die vorinstallierte topographische Karte TopoActive Europa. Mit dieser routingfähigen Karte finden Sie mit Adresseingabe oder auch POIs Ihr Ziel.
BEHALTEN SIE DIE ORIENTIERUNG: Neben den gängigen Satellitensystemen GPS, GLONASS und Galileo sind auch QZSS und IRNSS verfügbar. Zusammen mit der Multi-Frequenz-Technologie erhältst du so überall und jederzeit den besten Satellitenempfang.
SUPER ABLESBAR UND WASSERDICHT: Das transflektive 2,6“ Farbdisplay ist auch bei Sonnenlicht sehr gut ablesbar. Dank Tastenbedienung können Sie das Gerät auch mit Handschuhen und unter allen Bedingungen bedienen. Wasserdicht nach IPX 7 Standard.
BAROMETER UND 3-ACHSEN-KOMPASS: Der GPSMAP 65s ist zusätzlich mit einem barometrischen Höhenmesser und einem 3-Achsen-Kompass ausgestattet. Der Barometer gibt noch präzisere Höhendaten aus und der 3-Achsen-Kompass sorgt für die ideale Orientierung.
PERFEKT VERNETZT: ANT+ und Bluetooth-Kompatibilität machen es möglich. Verbinden Sie bspw. Geschwindigkeits- oder Herzfrequenzsensoren mit Ihrem GPSMAP. Mit dem Smartphone gekoppelt erhalten Sie Telefonbenachrichtigungen direkt aufs Display.
16 Stunden Akkulaufzeit: Der GPSMAP 65 kann mit AA-Batterien sowie dem Garmin Akku Pack betrieben werden (beides separat erhältlich). Mit diesem dualen System sind Sie immer flexibel und können nach dem Batteriewechsel sofort wieder loslegen.
GARMIN EXPLORE APP: Nutzen Sie die Garmin Explore App oder das Explore Portal, um Ihre Tour auf dem Smartphone oder am PC zu planen, Wegpunkte zu erstellen oder Ihre Tour im Nachhinein nochmal anzusehen.

(* = affiliate link / As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases / image source: Amazon partner program)

Garmin GPSMAP outdoor handhelds – buyer’s guide

GPSMAP – suggested outdoor and cycling activities

Depending on the model, the GPSMAP outdoor handheld devices are particularly suitable for

Mountaineering (*)
Bicycle touring
Mountain biking
Kayaking (*)
Trekking (*)
Long distance hiking (*)
Hiking
Geocaching

(*) especially 64 and 65 series

How do the GPSMAP outdoor devices differ?

GPSMAP 64 series

The GPSMAP 64 series is currently represented by the 64x, the 64sx and the 64csx. The 64sx and the 64csx have the following functions compared to the 64x:

ANT+ & Bluetooth LE to connect to a smartphone or to sensors
Smartphone notifications and live tracking
Sending and receiving data wirelessly from compatible Garmin outdoor devices (e.g. tracks, routes, waypoints, geocaches)
Data exchange via the Explore App
3-axis compass for accurate directional information when stationary or at low speeds
Barometric altimeter for exact altitude readings or for weather forecasting
8 MP camera and flashlight (64csx only)

Compared to the predecessors (64, 64sx, 64st), the current models (64x, 64sx, 64csx) offer with Galileo an additional satellite system, more internal memory (8 GB vs. 4 GB) and a few small changes in the menu.

GPSMAP 65 series

The brand new 65 and 65s models stand out from the GPSMAP 64x series as follows:

Multi-GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, OZSS, IRNSS)
Multi-Band L1/L5 (GPS) and E1/E5a (Galileo) frequencies
No SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS)
Preinstalled TopoActive maps (routable)
16 GB internal memory

GPSMAP 66 series

The models differ as follows:

The 66st has pre-loaded maps (*) compared to the 66s.
The 66i also features inReach technology (communication via Iridium satellites) and a built-in lithium battery.
The 66sr has multi-GNSS & multi-band (same as the 65 series), a built-in lithium battery (same as the 66i) and the tone volume is controllable.

(*) depending on your country

The GPSMAP 66s, 66st and 66sr offer additional features over the 64 and 65 models (selection):

Large 3-inch display
Universal connectivity via ANT+, Bluetooth & Wi-Fi
RINEX logging
Navigation with courses (like a track or a route)
Converts tracks and routes to courses
Track navigation with on course and off course alerts
Additional online functions via smartphone (geocaching live, weather)
Extensions with Garmin Connect IQ apps (e.g. gimporter, komoot), widgets and data fields
Pairs to Garmin Explore App without first pairing to Garmin Connect Mobile App.
Expedition mode for extra long battery life
LED Flashlight
Download BirdsEye satellite images via Wi-Fi (free subscription included)

GPSMAP 66sr - off course alerts (track) — GPSMAP 66sr – off course alert (track navigation)

With the GPSMAP 66i it is even more:

Worldwide communication independent of the mobile network via the Iridium satellite system (inReach technology)
Send SOS messages
Send & Receive Text Messages

The latest GPSMAP 66sr offers additional features:

Extra bright display
Super accurate GNSS receiver (also 65 series; however, all GPSMAP devices provide a great satellite reception and accuracy)
Adjustable tone volume
Long battery life

Comparison – GPSMAP 66s/66st vs. 66sr vs. 65s vs. 64sx

	GPSMAP 66s / 66st	GPSMAP 66sr	GPSMAP 65s	GPSMAP 64sx
Reviews	GPSMAP 66s/st	GPSMAP 66sr	GPSMAP 65s	GPSMAP 64sx
Suggested retail price	$399,99 (66s) / $449,99 (66st)	$499,99	$399,99	$449,99
Year	2018	2020	2020	2019
Dimensions (cm)	6,2 x 16,3 x 3,5	6,2 x 16,3 x 3,5	6,1 x 16 x 3,6	6,1 x 16 x 3,6
Weight (weighted)	215 g (incl. lithium batteries)	231 g	201 g (incl. lithium batteries)	202 g (incl. lithium batteries)
Display	transflective color TFT 3″ 3,8 x 6,3 cm 240×400 pixels 4.010 pixels/cm²	transflective color TFT 3″ 3,8 x 6,3 cm 240×400 pixels 4.010 pixels/cm²	transflective color TFT 65.000 colors 2,6″ 3,6 x 5,5 cm 160×240 pixels 1.940 pixels/cm²	transflective color TFT 65.000 colors 2,6″ 3,6 x 5,5 cm 160×240 pixels 1.940 pixels/cm²
Battery	2x AA NiMH battery pack (rechargeable in device)	internal lithium-ion not interchangeable rechargeable in device	2x AA NiMH battery pack (rechargeable in device)	2x AA NiMH battery pack (rechargeable in device)
Battery life	16 h (GPS mode) 170 h (expedition mode)	36 h (GPS mode) 450 h (expedition mode)	16 h (GPS mode)	16 h (GPS mode)
Rating	IPX7 MIL-STD-810 (thermal, shock, water)	IPX7 MIL-STD-810 (thermal, shock, water)	IPX7	IPX7
GPS receiver	GPS GPS/GLONASS GPS/GALILEO SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS) RINEX logging (L1 Band) EPO download	GPS Multi-GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/OZSS/IRNSS) Multi-Band (L1/L5/E5/E5a) RINEX logging (L1 Band) EPO download	GPS Multi-GNSS (GPS/GLONASS/Galileo/OZSS/IRNSS) Multi-Band (L1/L5/E5/E5a) EPO download	GPS GPS/GLONASS GPS/GALILEO SBAS (WAAS/EGNOS)
GPS antenna	Quad-Helix	Quad-Helix	Quad-Helix	Quad-Helix External antenna (MCX)
Interfaces	High-Speed USB (micro-B) ANT+ Bluetooth LE Wi-Fi	High-Speed USB (micro-B) ANT+ Bluetooth LE Wi-Fi	High-Speed USB (micro-B) ANT+ Bluetooth LE	High-Speed USB (micro-B) ANT+ Bluetooth LE
device to device transfer	ANT+ Bluetooth	ANT+ Bluetooth	ANT+ Bluetooth	ANT+ Bluetooth
Memory	16 GB (66s: 15,4 GB available; 66st: 5,5 GB available?) microSD (up to 32 GB)	16 GB (ca. 5,5 GB available) microSD (up to 32 GB)	16 GB (8,4 GB available) microSD (up to 32 GB)	8 GB (7,7 GB available) microSD (up to 32 GB)
Output format	FIT GPX/FIT	FIT GPX/FIT	GPX	GPX
Sensors internal	Barometric altimeter 3-axis compass	Barometric altimeter 3-axis compass	Barometric altimeter 3-axis compass	Barometric altimeter 3-axis compass
Sensors / devices external	ANT+ (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined, temperature, chirp, Virb, inReach Mini, XERO) Bluetooth (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined)	ANT+ (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined, temperature, chirp, Virb, inReach Mini, XERO) Bluetooth (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined)	ANT+ (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined, temperature, chirp, Virb)	ANT+ (heart rate, speed, cadence, speed/cadence combined, temperature, chirp, Virb)
Sound	Buzzer not adjustable	Buzzer adjustable (5 levels)	Buzzer not adjustable	Buzzer not adjustable
Maps (pre-installed)	basemap topographic (not routable) (66st only) BirdsEye subscription	basemap TopoActive (routable) BirdsEye subscription	basemap TopoActive (routable)	basemap
Data	20.000 points per track log 2.000 gpx files 250 saved gpx tracks 2.000 archived tracks 300 saved fit activities 10.000 waypoints 250 courses (250 points each) 250 routes (250 points each, 50 points for on-road Geocaches without limit (depending on the memory) (GPX/GGZ) 15.000 map segments 500 custom map tiles 250 BirdsEye maps	20.000 points per track log 2.000 gpx files 250 saved gpx tracks 2.000 archived tracks 300 saved fit activities 10.000 waypoints 250 courses (250 points each) 250 routes (250 points each, 50 points for on-road Geocaches without limit (depending on the memory) (GPX/GGZ) 15.000 map segments 500 custom map tiles 250 BirdsEye maps	10.000 points per track log 2.000 gpx files 200 saved gpx tracks 2.000 archived tracks 5.000 waypoints 200 routes (250 points each, 50 points for on-road) Geocaches without limit (depending on the memory) (GPX/GGZ) 3.000 map segments 500 custom map tiles 250 BirdsEye maps	10.000 points per track log 2.000 gpx files 200 saved gpx tracks 2.000 archived tracks 5.000 waypoints 200 routes (250 points each, 50 points for on-road) Geocaches without limit (depending on the memory) (GPX/GGZ) 3.000 map segments 500 custom map tiles 250 BirdsEye maps
Navigation (in addition to Garmin standard features)	ActiveRouting Roundtrip routing Courses	ActiveRouting Roundtrip routing Courses	ActiveRouting	ActiveRouting
Geocaching	Paperless Geocaching Live	Paperless Geocaching Live	Paperless	Paperless
Smartphone apps	Garmin Connect Garmin Connect IQ Garmin Explore	Garmin Connect Garmin Connect IQ Garmin Explore	Garmin Connect Garmin Explore	Garmin Connect Garmin Explore
Online (: Bluetooth, *: Wi-Fi)	Live geocaching (/) Smartphone notifications () Connect IQ () Weather (/*) Downloading courses, tracks, routes, waypoints () EPO download (/) LiveTrack () Activity upload (Garmin Connect) (/) Software updates (/) BirdsEye download ()	Live geocaching (/) Smartphone notifications () Connect IQ () Weather (/*) Downloading courses, tracks, routes, waypoints () EPO download (/) LiveTrack () Activity upload (Garmin Connect) (/) Software updates (/) BirdsEye download ()	Smartphone notifications () Downloading tracks, routes, waypoints () EPO download (/) LiveTrack ()	Smartphone notifications () Downloading tracks, routes, waypoints () EPO download (/) LiveTrack ()
Connect IQ	Apps, widgets, data fields	Apps, widgets, data fields	not compatible	not compatible
Diverse	Recording controls Expedition mode Prefix/Suffix for waypoints LED flashlight with SOS	Recording controls Expedition mode Prefix/Suffix for waypoints LED flashlight with SOS	—	—

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