On the hunt for reliability in the palm of your hand? Are you craving a GPS map that will never let you down and is pocket-sized for your convenience?
With more and more of us heading into the great outdoors for our entertainment, relaxation, or just a break from life, hand-held GPS maps are becoming increasingly popular.
Garmin’s GPSmap 64s is one of those hand-held convenient GPS maps! It’s been popular on the market, but what do you know about it? If like me, you were a bit of a novice, the market can seem confusing at best.
But have no fear! For I waded through the uncertain waters (with the help of Garmin’s GPS map!) and am here today to offer an in-depth and detailed review that will help make your purchase a smooth and easy one.
Garmin GPS Map 64s Review
Let’s look quickly at the main features of Garmin’s GPSmap 64s for those of you in a hurry today.
- A 2.6-inch color display is readable in the sunlight, great for any weather.
- Resolution of 160×240 and a color trft of 65k to deliver a clear and bright image for you.
- A Dual-battery system allows the device to charge itself while in use.
- Lightweight, weighing only 230 grams with batteries.
- You can receive smart notifications and pair them with sensors for heart rate and other great features!
- Wireless upload of data means you can view it on a smartphone.
- The live track allows others to see your journey. Great for nervous hike/trekkers.
- Features a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription to navigate with ease.
- You can also download geotagged pictures to navigate too, giving you endless possibilities.
- Reasonably priced.
- Impressive 16-hour battery life.
- Easy to use.
Want more information? Keep reading for my full review.
Features:
Garmin’s GPSmap 64s has a whole host of fantastic features that set it apart from others on the market. Let’s take a look at these now.
The GPS mapper features a 2.6-inch color display with an internal memory of 4GB, providing plenty of space for any downloaded maps! The display boasts 65,000 colors and a resolution of 160×240 pixels to provide clear images no matter the weather.
There is a dual-battery system that operates on 2 AA batteries. You can also opt for a rechargeable NiMH battery back that will charge while the device is in use. Great for those who are out on long-haul adventures! Garmin’s GPS map boasts a 16-hour battery life, too, so you’ll never need to worry about being stranded without a map.
Garmin’s GPSmap 64s are compact and lightweight too. Weighing just 230grams with batteries included, you are unlikely to feel the weight of this in your bag! It is small enough to be comfortably held in your hand without slipping through your fingertips. A real plus for clumsy people like me.
What’s great about this GPS map is that it features a one-year subscription to BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, allowing you to navigate anywhere with ease. There is also photo navigation that will enable you to download any of over 250,000 geotagged pictures and navigate with them! This feature allows for your creativity to flow and plan some great new adventures.
You can also share your live location, thanks to Garmin Connect. You can view them on your smartphone and share them so that others can track your journey. It’s a feature that provides comfort to first-time hikers who are nervous about getting lost.
Garmin’s GPSmap also allows you to receive smart notifications! Any device later than an iPhone4S will be compatible so that you can stay connected with the outside world.
Some customers did note that the signal for the app and sharing of notifications relies solely on your phone’s coverage and signal. They found it was not as reliable in low coverage areas. Few customers reported the issue, though. If you want to immerse yourself in nature, then this should not be a problem.
You can also pair with ANT+ sensors, heart rate monitors, temperature sensors, speed/cadence, or you can control a VIRB action camera! The last feature is unique to the 64s and sets it apart from other Garmin models.
Performance
So, how does the GPSmap 64s perform? Very well! You get great reception thanks to the highly-sensitive antenna. It is compatible with GPS, GLONASS, and WAAS technology to ensure you get great accuracy in both open and shady spaces!
The quad-helix antenna provides an excellent signal whether you are under canopies or near tall buildings! It is a device that you can take anywhere.
The signal is quick, and once your position is located, it stays locked in! No more watching the map jump all over the place! Thanks to the electronic compass, too, you can navigate back to old tracks trouble-free. I found it one of the most accurate GPS maps that were not affected by different terrains.
You should also notice very little lag time between pushing buttons and seeing results. Yes, it is not as fast as touchscreen devices, but honestly, I hardly noticed a difference.
In terms of speed, it also redrew maps incredibly quickly! Which is great when you are out in the cold and want to keep moving! It performs excellently in a range of weather conditions too.
The durable device is incredibly versatile, and the buttons can be used even when wearing thick gloves! This was a massive plus for me; compared to touch screens, I was never going to have any trouble using it.
Overall, Garmin’s GPSmap 64s performs exceptionally well. Other users were extremely pleased with the GPS map too. They found it provided outstanding accuracy and was easy to use. They found the menu customizable and easy to use, allowing for your journeys to begin quickly.
How much?
Garmin’s GPSmap 64s is reasonably priced compared to others on the market. When deciding whether the 64s is the GPS mapper for you, consider your budget to make sure you are not spending more than you can afford.
It is worth considering how often you shall be using the device and other factors such as the cost of replacement batteries when deciding if the Garmin GPSmap 64s is the one for you.
Final Word
And just like that, the review comes to a close. As you can see, Garmin’s GPSmap 64s is an excellent device that will deliver pinpoint accuracy when you need it most. The fast response time and real-time tracking have kept me on track and discovering new locations for months.
