Navigation Tools
The best navigation tools, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on May 22, 2022. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.
Category
- Maps (3)
- Compasses (63)
- GPS Receivers (90)
- Altimeters (12)
- Locator Beacons (13)













































Recent Navigation Tool Reviews

Suunto MC-2G Global
Superb compass. I cannot imagine a better mirror compass. Many small details that make navigation a lot more fun. This mirror compass stands out among other mirror compasses with big names, but lacking the qualities of this superb Finnish product. Some details I like very much: the opening in the mirror with the notch in the middle makes aiming to the target a lot easier. Nearly all other brands have a ridiculously small opening in the mirror, making it very difficult to find that one landmark in… Full review

Garmin GPSMAP 66sr
Good in open landscape, very unreliable in dense forest. Stay away from it if you like hiking in the forest. I have been using this gps in forest in Norway. There its performance is doubtful to say the least. The gpsmap regularly gets confused and does not find in which direction you have to go for your trial. The arrow indicating the direction to go is often fluctuation 75-110 degrees. And so is the compass. If you are often in the forest, stay away from this gps. In two occasions I was completely… Full review

Suunto Clipper
Brand new Suunto Clipper compass leaks. I expected hell of a lot more from a Suunto compass than this. I just received it a couple of days ago and today a bubble suddenly appeared. I am in Florida so no cold weather affected it. Full review

Garmin inReach Explorer+
Used to navigate on land in the High Arctic by gut and no safety net if there was trouble. Then I had kids... I rely heavily on this device for safety since I am camping often in very remote areas with small children. But I also use it for work travelling Nunavik (for after hours on call for medevacs), where I also need this to be dependable. I subscribe to the unlimited messaging, as well as to the insurance policy offered with it. It is our lifeline to home, and our guide when trekking on the… Full review

Garmin Astro 900
For training a hunting dog or just keeping track of a big dog who loves to run free, the Astro 900 coupled with the T-9 collar will allow you to find your best friend even when well out of sight. Without the collar the Astro 900 alone is the one GPS navigation system for just about anywhere you want to go outdoors. Astro 900 handheld GPS with T-9 collar If you are hunting with a dog or just enjoying some off-leash recreation with your four-footed friend there is always the chance that even the… Full review

Garmin inReach Mini
I'd recommend this device for anyone going on an extended wilderness trip where they likely won't have cell service. I used it for a week in the Sierra Nevada mountains and it was very helpful as it allowed my group to stay in contact with our families on the outside to notify them of changes in our itinerary. Definitely a must-have from a safety perspective. Ease of use: I found the device easy to use. There are just enough features to be useful, but not too many to the point of being confusing. Full review

Suunto Core
14 years old and still going! Purchased this watch for a deployment to Afghanistan in 2007 and have been wearing it off and on ever since. This includes 14 years of rough military training. Customer Service from Suunto was great after I failed to seal the battery cover and caused water damage at year two or so. They replaced the computer for $80 then bezel and bands for free. Yes, it was the same watch based on distinctive marks in the casing. So hear I am, fourteen years later, just finding… Full review

Suunto Clipper
A handy compass, easy to read, can be clipped on to backpack shoulder straps, bike packs, whatever. I've had my Clipper since 2009. I bought it from Brunton, where my niece and sister-in-law worked assembling the classic Brunton Pocket Transit, which I used many years ago for surveying along with a plumb bob, surveyor's chain, and of course, topo maps. My niece was the production manager at Brunton, and when they downsized she was the only one assembling the Pocket Transit, in Riverton, Wyoming. Full review

Suunto M-3D Leader
Very good well made compass. Hard to see in dim light. Nice choice for regular long distance navigation use. Unlike old model, new models lack outline box to center southern portion of needle over. I like the older model. Full review