Snowmobiling is a great winter sport to get you outside doing something new. But, when you’re riding through the snow you probably do not want to be carrying your smartphone to use as a GPS. That’s why it’s important to have a functioning GPS specifically designed for activities such as snowmobiling. We’re here to help you choose the best GPS for snowmobiling.
Here’s a quick list of our top picks:
But first, how do you choose the right one?
Things to Consider
Accuracy
In my opinion, this is one of the most important things to consider when buying a new GPS. Buying a GPS that isn’t accurate won’t help you are all. For that reason, you’ll want to make sure it will actually be able to tell where you are so you don’t get lost. You also don’t want your GPS to confuse you for being in a different location. Yikes.
Durability
Since you’re going to be in snow, sometimes at below-freezing temperatures, the ability to withstand extreme weather conditions is a must for your next snowmobiling GPS.
Good quality screen
When checking the quality, you also want to make sure that your GPS can be used in the day, if that is when you will be out on your snowmobile. Also, you’ll want to make sure the screen is made out of something that won’t crack or break easily.
Storage space or memory
This is important if you’re planning on going off the grid, the ability to download maps so that you’re never stranded is extremely important. Getting more storage space and memory may make the GPS choice a little more expensive but I think this feature is definitely worth it.
Battery power
You’ll want to get a GPS that has a long battery life. This is an extremely important part of your next GPS. You most likely won’t be taking your snowmobile out for just an hour, you want a GPS that lasts all day so you don’t have to worry about it dying or having to cut your day short.
Waterproof
I mean come on, you’re going to be in snow, your GPS must be waterproof. Or you need to purchase a waterproof case.
Price
This piece of technology can get a little pricey and go as high as $1000, I say stick to a GPS around $200-$300 and that should be a reasonable amount of money to spend on a nice GPS deal.
Our Top Picks
If you’ve done any research at all, you’ve probably seen that Garmin takes over the GPS market. While they make great products (two of the three products we are featuring), the Trail Tech GPS is our #1 top pick…
Trail Tech 912-502 Voyager Stealth
Description: This Trail Tech snowmobile GPS has a screen size of 2.7 inches, which isn’t very large but its durability and number of other features make up for it. You should also note that this GPS is specifically designed for off-roading so it is made to last. Another great feature that it has is that it is waterproof. We like this product because not only does it serve as a map and GPS but it tracks speed, distance, direction, altitude, temperature, and time. This GPS also has a microSD port that allows you to have as much space as you need to download maps no matter where it is you’ll be going. This product is extremely reliable and easy to use even in extreme temperatures. But because this product is built to last, it comes in at 1 pound, which is a little heavier than the other products on our list.
Pros
- Durable and built for off-roading
- Tracks a number of different variables including speed, temperature, and altitude
Cons
- Small screen but a heavier product
Garmin eTrex 30x Handheld GPS
Description: While the screen on this Garmin GPS may seem small, it does have some other great qualities. The screen is only 2.2 inches but this GPS has a battery life of 25 hours. We like this product because it has 3.7GB of internal storage and a microSD slot so that you can load a variety of different maps for each of your needs without worrying about storage space. Just like the other Garmin products, this GPS has a built-in 3-axis sensor that monitors your altitude. Also, if you are traveling with someone else who has a compatible Garmin device, you are able to share your tracks, routes, geocaches and other waypoints with them wirelessly. This is also the cheapest item on our list.
Pros
- Built-in storage and microSD slot
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Small 2.2 inch screen
Garmin Montana 610
Description: This GPS is great for snowmobiling with its 4-inch glove-friendly screen and 250,000 preloaded worldwide geocaches from Geocatching.com. When you buy this product you’ll also get a one-year subscription to Birdseye Satellite Imagery. This GPS also has the ability to save tracks so you always know where to go. The GPS technology on this device is great for snowmobiling because it is able to see your location even under heavy cover and deep canyons. Small enough to be portable but big enough to see it’s bright 65K color display. That means it’s able to be read in sunlight. Unfortunately, since the screen is larger, the battery life on this product is only 16 hours, but that should be long enough for a day of snowmobiling. We like this Garmin product because it includes the BaseCamp software that allows you to plan your next trip and share it with friends. While they have a number of preloaded maps, they’re not the best, so you may need to consider purchasing a different set of maps depending on your needs.
Pros
- The large screen is able to be seen well in sunlight
- The device has the ability to save routes and share your future route with friends
Cons
- May need to purchase or load higher quality maps onto GPS depending on your needs
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of great features that you can get on your next snowmobiling GPS. We feel that these three GPS options fit a number of different needs. So, after reading these reviews, just consider you’re price point and what you’ll be needing to use your GPS for and we know you won’t make a bad decision. Happy snowmobiling!