OutdoorGearLab Analyzes and Awards the Best Handheld GPS Models of 2016

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - June 20, 2016 - PRLog -- The reputable gear review website, OutdoorGearLab, has just released results for the top handheld GPS models of 2016. Six models from Garmin, Magellan and DeLorme went head to head in competition for the coveted award titles. A team of reviewers, ranging from novice to expert navigators, tested these products over a two year period while hiking, mountaineering, kayaking, skiing, driving, mountain biking, and more. Hundreds of testing miles were clocked while traveling by foot in Washington, Colorado, Utah and even Alaska. Alongside the field testing, in home objective tests were devised to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive assessment. Satellite reception precision was tested by marking waypoints and navigating back to them, and ease of use was calculated by fiddling relentlessly and comparing software interface and button configurations. By the end of the extensive testing period, all products were scored across the following categories: satellite reception, ease of use, processing speed, display quality, and weight.

The winners are as follows:

Editors' Choice Award - Garmin Oregon 600

The Oregon 600 wins the Editors' Choice award for its likeness to an iPhone in terms of functionality and usability. It's the only model available that boasts a high quality touchscreen display which is durable, sensitive and simple to use, right off the bat. The maps load quickly and it's very accurate, which is why lead tester Amber King says, "We highly recommend this to anyone that does a lot of travel in low visibility conditions or has the cash the push the performance envelope." In addition to its stand-out navigation capabilities, this item also includes an electronic compass, sixteen hours of battery life, 1.6 GB of memory and a Bluetooth chip which allows users to share and track data with nearby receiving devices.

Top Pick - Garmin GPS MAP 64s

The MAP 64s earns the Top Pick award for mountaineering, ski touring, and subzero adventures when the importance of reliability in frigid weather reigns over all other features. The extra large, well-spaced buttons and large, multi-directional pad make this unit easy to use with cold or gloved hands. Featuring a large quad-helix external antenna, it delivers quick and accurate reception and locks in a position once it's found (which is ideal in terrain such as slot canyons, jungle canopies, or white-out mountains). Overall, testers concluded that "With all of its great features, we thought this unit was incredibly versatile, durable and easy to use in all weather conditions."

Best Buy - Garmin eTrex 20x

The eTrex 20x is small, lightweight and almost half the price of the other two award winners, which is why it earned the Best Buy award. Featuring the smallest dimensions of all contenders and weighing in at a mere five ounces, this model is ideal for those looking for a low profile and lightweight device to chuck in their pack or pocket before going into the backcountry for an extended period of time. Tester Amber Kings says, "The simplicity of this winner is what we fell in love with; this device does not support fancy wireless sharing options, an electronic compass, or barometric pressure, but is quite easy to use." For most intended purposes, you can't go wrong with this model which is priced at only $199.

OutdoorGearLab, LLC is based in Cheyenne, Wyoming, and is a free resource designed to help online customers make informed purchasing decisions about outdoor gear. The website, www.outdoorgearlab.com, publishes comparison reviews of outdoor apparel and equipment, with complementary buying advice guides for each category. The test team analyzes gear, rating products against one another in the field, and releases their findings in written essays. Each product is scored across a range of weighted metrics, ranked against competing products, and awards are given to the highest scoring models. Readers can then find the most suitable product with minimal time invested in personal research. These reviews cover categories from camping and hiking, shoes and boots, climbing, men's and women's clothing, to general fitness.