Like all technological devices, hiking GPS units have brought comfort and safety to hikers, whether beginners or more experienced. More rugged, waterproof and longer-lasting than a smartphone or a standard GPS, these devices dedicated to walking are plentiful on the market. Useful for some, unnecessary for others — even if they don't replace good old maps and compasses, they can nonetheless be recommended for certain hikes.
The hiking GPS: handle with care when you're a beginner
One might be tempted to think that a hiking GPS is ideal for beginner hikers. But not necessarily! If you don't know how to navigate with a compass and a map, what will you do the day it breaks down? As a beginner hiker, it's important to first learn how to find your bearings without any technological tools before acquiring one — you can read a GPS well if you can read a map, but the reverse isn't necessarily true.
Some hiking clubs offer GPS training courses to help new users get to grips with their new device. However, bear in mind that waymarked hikes don't necessarily require a GPS for navigation — in that case, it's more of a gadget than a genuinely useful piece of kit.
Finding reassurance and staying safe with a hiking GPS
Whether you're for or against hiking GPS devices, certain routes and travel conditions do require the use of such technology. They offer both reassurance and an added layer of safety. That said, it's worth remembering that a GPS is still a piece of technology that can break down or malfunction. Never head out on a hike equipped with a GPS alone — combine it with a map and compass just to cover your bases.
Choosing your hiking GPS
Weight, battery life, reception quality, waterproofing, features, mapping, durability… here are just some of the criteria that can help you in your search for a hiking GPS. The right type of GPS depends on the kind of hiker you are: do you hike for a day or a week at a time? Do you want to record your route and pull out stats from your hikes? Will the GPS be primarily a safety tool in the mountains?
Like all technological devices, hiking GPS units can be packed with features ranging from MP3 players to cameras, for example. Ask yourself whether the features included in the GPS are actually useful to you — don't pay for something you won't fully use!
