Driving across the country these days without a GPS seems foolish and trying to navigate a route around the world impossible. I’ve been to the other side of the continent and can help you pick out the best device for the job.
What is the best GPS for Overlanding?
For short and long overlanding trips an android tablet paired with maps.me, google maps and gaia gps app is the best GPS setup in any vehicle. With this combination, planning, creating and following a route can be done from 1 device.
In this article we explore what makes GPS device suitable for overlanding, what features make the device good and discuss the top 11 best overlanding navigators. We share our tips for which accessories to get. Last we give a list of the best to worst overlanding navigation apps and show you how to turn any phone into a riders digital dashboard.
Top 10 Overlanding GPS Devices
Marketed as offroad GPS navigation devices
1. Garmin Overlander
2. Hema HX-1 Navigator
3. Magellan TRX7 CS Off-Road and Trail GPS
4. Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 Multifunction Off Road GPS
Tablets and offroad apps
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
6. iPad
Alternative overland GPS devices
7. Garmin Montana 700i
8. Garmin Zumo XT
9. Trail Tech Voyager Pro GPS
10. YAMAHA ADVENTURE PRO
11. Garmin inReach Explorer+
What makes a GPS suitable for offroading?
Why can’t any GPS device be used for overlanding and offroading you might wonder, especially because you still have one lying around in the bottom of a drawer. It’s a valid question, I also asked myself before I got into offroading.
The reason why you can’t use just any GPS device is because of the maps loaded onto the device and the ability to add other map views. Most devices will have a standard road map loaded of the country you purchased it in and maybe the rest of the continent. These contain all the roads, interested points etc that you can reach using paved roads and depending on the country, well maintained gravel roads. As soon as you leave the pavement for a trail you happened to stumble upon you are leaving the map and driving into a flat, green surface.
No information about elevation, rivers or how to find your way back after taking a couple of turns. Not the best way to return to civilisation.
When you download a track from the internet and load it onto any GPS, you will be able to see the line on the map, but it will be a pain in the ass to follow and hardly any more useful than a paper description and a paper map.
The other feature that is essential for any device to be used for offroad exploration is the ability to view maps when offline. Wether that means disconnected from your computer, wifi or cell service one you get to the real outback, you need to have the maps downloaded onto the device for the area that you will be exploring.
How does offroad navigation works?
Before you get any of the devices mentioned in this article, I want to clear up any misconception about what offroad navigation will look like. We are all used to google maps booming through the car with instructions like “turn right at 5th avenue” and you might expect a GPS device to do the same when exploring offroad trails.
It won’t.
Simply because often the trails you are traveling on are not recognised as such by the device or not indexed so it doesn’t know if there is a turn or an exit.
When you load a track onto your gps device it shows a line on the map and your position in the middle of the screen with the map view you chose. It is your job to stay on the line without any audio cues from the device. So no turn by turn instructions when driving offroad. Not with a dedicated device, nor with a tablet and app. It is just not possible right now.
What features make a good overlanding gps?
So what makes a gps device a good one for overlanding? I’ve divided them here in Essential, Should Have and Nice to have however this is my personal categorisation, yours may look different and it is good to make your own list so you can make the right decision for your needs.
Essential
- Topographic maps installed with high detail level
- Ability to add maps
- Durable and resistant to shaking
- Visibility of the screen, especially in sunny conditions, brightness and pixels
- On-road turn by turn navigation
- Enough storage space for offline maps or downloaded extra map layers
Tracking your route
Should have
Rugged / Drop proof
- Easy to use Easy to mount
- Preloaded POI relevant to overlanding
- Blending map layers or easy swapping in between map layers
- No subscription required
- Responsive touchscreen (with gloves for bikers)
- Big screen for good visibility
- Easy web interface for planning and route creation
Easy to transfer created routes and tracks from your computer to the device
Nice to have
Waterproof (although essential for motorcycles and atvs)
- Breadcrumbs trails
- Integrated compass 2 way satellite communication (ability to send messages over a satellite network)
- Pitch and roll gators
- Click and Go, little preinstallation required out of the box
- Integrated dash cam
- Ability to connect rear view cameras
How to choose a GPS device
The advantages of having a dedicated GPS device for navigating, is that you don’t have to fumble around with charging your phone or iPad while driving and that those are always ready to serve their purpose. A dedicated device is usually designed to survive the bumpy roads you are planning to take which can be an issue for tablets and phones. Most importantly, these devices can be waterproof which is important when you ride a bike or an open jeep or atv. Last, the dedicated GPS always has a better visibility in direct sunlight and is better at operating without overheating in direct sunlight then phones and tablets. If this is important to you, then take a look at this list to find out which overlanding gps best suits your needs. You can use my GPS selection sheet to decide which GPS to choose. Download it here.
The TOP 11 Best Devices for Overlanding and Offroading
Marketed as offroad GPS navigation devices
1. Garmin Overlander
US$ 700
€ 699
Heavily marketed as the best gps for overlanding at the hefty price of US$700 with some interesting integrated features. It is up to you to decide if the device is worth it for you.
It definitely ticks some of the right boxes when it comes to a great overlanding GPS device. For starters it has preinstalled topographic maps of either North AND! South America, Europe, Europe, Middle East and Africa or Australia AND New Zealand depending on from which store you buy the device. So it is practically ready to roll for months to come wether you are overlanding in your own state or crossing continents.
CONs
- Downloading maps using the device is terribly cumbersome
- Switching between map views is cumbersome
- Price
PROs
- Ready to go out of the box
- Rugged design
- Best in class on road navigation
- 64 GB of internal storage space
- Pitch and roll gators
2. Hema HX-1 Navigator
US$ 530
AUS$ 699
The Hema HX-1 Navigator is incredibly popular in Australia because it comes with incredibly detailed maps and relevant POIs for that continent. I suspect that Garmin took the Hema Navigator as inspiration and aimed for the US market. The Hema device is specifically designed for offroading which means that switching between map views is really easy and downloading extra maps or POIs is easy and with an extra SD card inserted there will be plenty of space.
It has all the other basics you can expect of a decent GPS device, like adding waypoints, tracking your route and navigation on the road.
There are some very disappointed customers out there who are mentioning overheating, a bad battery life where it expands and breaks the case after a few months of use, bugs where the device doesn’t switch off when turning off the car and it doesn’t have a manual button and the device switching between day an night mode at random or get stuck in a certain mode.
It’s hard for me to verify these claims from the other side of the world, but it is good to know before you buy such an expensive unit with high expectations. You can also download the HEMA app on any tablet or phone and try this out before moving to a dedicated device.
CONs
- Not for sale outside of Australia
- Slower in use then the Garmin
- Need to download maps while on the wifi before heading out
- Price
PROs
- Switching between map views is easy
- Downloading maps using the device is easy
- Decent on road navigation
- Integrated rear facing camera
3. Magellan TRX7 CS Off-Road and Trail GPS
US$ 545
Designed in the USA, but the mother company is based in Taiwan covering other GPS brands like Mio and Navman GPS. The TRX7 CS is a rugged offroad GPS device that will take you off the beaten track into the great outdoors. It comes with thousands of preloaded routes that are crowd sourced from other users which can be found on http://www.trxtrailhead.com/.
Besides the standard GPS features the he TRX7 CS automatically starts bread-crumbing your track which I think is really cool and practical.
There are 5 different versions of the TR(X)7 model, so be sure to triple check which one you are buying and what that includes.
CONs
- Only for sale in the USA
- No on road navigation
- Not all trails are on the preloaded maps
PROs
- Rugged AND waterproof design
- Preloaded trails
- Easy to download trails from the website
- Breadcrumb trails
4. Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 Multifunction Off Road GPS
US$ 549
€ 738,95
The Lowrance Elite-7 Ti2 is originally a fish plotter meant to be used on a boat but in the USA also marketed as an offroad GPS when you switch off the marine functions. This means that this design will be the most rugged out of all of them because the ocean is a harsh place and anything that needs to survive there has to be made from the best materials.
It is not so popular online, so there is not so much information out there on how to use it for offroading. It looks like it has all the basic functionalities you want an offroad GPS to have.
The Lawrence is for sale in Europe as a fish plotter, but I don’t know if you could use it as a offroad GPS device and install European maps on it.
Besides that, I have a feeling it might not be the most intuitive device on the market, but since it’s not a popular choice there are hardly any manuals or videos out there to help you figure out how to best use it for offroading.
CONs
- Only for sale in the USA as an offroad device
- Comes with only US Inland Basemap installed
- No on road navigation
PROs
- Rugged AND waterproof design
- Best quality materials
Tablets and offroad apps
The popularity of using a tablet or phone for navigation is simple. It is cheap. You probably already have a smartphone with a pretty big screen or a tablet lying around you haven’t used in a while. If not, there is a thriving market in second hand devices so there is absolutely no need to pay the full price for a new device. That makes the tablet plus a GPS app the cheapest option out there. Especially if you are new to overlanding, getting all the gear needed can be expensive so it can be a smart move to wait to invest heavily into a brand new GPS and see if the tablet solution works for you.
Another big advantage is that these devices are a lot easier to use and you can choose whichever gps app you like most instead of being stuck with the design of the manufacturer. Also, the maps in the apps are updated automatically without you having to do anything. This can be a lot more complicated on a dedicated device. Another reason why many overlanders are sticking to the tablet solution. Lastly, the screen of a tablet is nice and big, so there is no need to squint your eyes to see if you are still going in the right direction.
Check out my favourite GPS apps further down in the article.
CONs
- Bad visibility in direct sunlight
- Not designed for rugged travel
- Easily overheats in direct sunlight on hot days
- Limited storage capacity (iPad/iPhone only)
PROs
- Cheapest option is you have a tablet or phone lying around
- Multifunctional device
- Easy to use interface
- Choose your favourite navigation app
5. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite 128 GB Wifi + cellular
US$ 392
€ 479
When you plan to buy a new tablet for the job, make sure to get one that has cellular. Those devices have a GPS receiver built in. You don’t need to insert a sim card for the GPS to work, but the wifi only machines don’t have the receiver. You can buy a GPS dongle that you can tether via bluetooth for example if the tablet you have lying around doesn’t have GPS.
The price drops significantly when you decide to get one second hand. Not only is it better for your wallet, but also for the environment you are planning to enjoy.
6. iPad 128GB WIFI+Cellular
US$ 559
€ 628,50
The biggest drawback of the iPad as a navigation device is the storage space. If you have an iPad with a small storage capacity lying around, you’ll find that downloading maps to be used offline is taking up a lot of space. So if you go shopping, make sure to get the 128GB version.
Alternatives marketed differently but could still be a good fit for you
7. Garmin Montana 700i
US$ 599.99
€ 699.99
Do you want an all in one device that will save you but in any situation? That is the Montana 700i. Wether it is used as a handheld device during hiking or mounted in your vehicle, this device will get you out there exploring nature.
It has a 5 inch display, which isn’t the biggest nor the smallest and works well in sunlight conditions and is adjustable to work with or without gloves.
The device is meant for navigation and the unique feature is that is combines this with the 2 way messaging technology from in reach. Meaning you can send sms messages via the satellite wherever you are in the world (requires a subscription to work). None of the other dedicated gps devices can do this. The other Garmin devices can be tethered to a Inreach device (price of the Garmin in reach mini is US$350/€350) but that will cost you an extra device. With this it is already integrated so you are basically getting two products for the price of one.
With a long lasting battery you can take this device straight out of your car and onto a hike without having to bring an extra battery pack.
CONs
- No mount included in the price
- No overlanding POI
PROs
- Rugged design and waterproof
- Two way satellite messaging
- On and offroad navigation capabilities
- Long lasting battery
- Incredibly accurate GPS signal
- Price if you compare to a GPS device + in reach device
8. Garmin Zumo XT
US$ 500
€ 499
The Garmin Zumo XT is a device designed for adv riding known as adventure motorcycle rides. Because it is waterproof and the touchscreen works with gloves it doesn’t mean that is useless in a car. It has many similar fuctionalities as the Garmin Overlander like satellite and topo maps integrated, route tracking and a list of all iOverlander POIs integrated into the device. As well as the ability to connect an inReach satellite communicator for two way messaging when out of reach of any cell tower.
The Zumo XT comes in two sizes and the smaller one saves you another 100 bucks when you are looking for a cheaper version of the Garmin overlander this might be it.
In the box are multiple different mounts included as well as one for in the car. It works, but you have to use a USB cable to charge the device. I would suggest adding a RAM mount so you can use the click and charge port that is meant to be used on the motorcycle.
CONs
- Standard mount not great for use in the car
PROs
- Ready to go out of the box
- Rugged design
- Best in class on road navigation
- Price
- Switching between map views is super easy
9. Trail Tech Voyager Pro GPS
US$599.99
Designed for power sports users the Trail Tech Voyager, besides the standard GPS device skills, has a unique buddy tracking feature that uses radio signals to track up to 20 friends in a group. It can show you the location of those friends so you don’t have to keep each other in sight at all times. However Buddy Tracking is only allowed in the Americas (except Brazil) and Africa. Buddy tracking on the Trail Tech is compatible with the POLARIS RIDECOMMAND GROUP RIDE and integrates seamlessly into Polaris ride groups.
The touchscreen is really small compared to the other devices but it is waterproof and operable with a glove on. It can also show you the temperature and the measures the voltage of your battery.
The device can do a lot more than the standard GPS device and comes with various sensors for your vehicle and it is a bit of a nerdy design. You can get it with a mount for many different vehicles.
CONs
- Clunky user interface
- Small screen
PROs
- Rugged design
- Unique buddy tracking system
- Shows vital vehicle data
10. Yamaha Adventure Pro
US$ 749
Only available in the USA
Designed to be seamlessly integrated on various models of ATVs and UTVs the Yamaha Adventure Pro Powered by Magellan looks like a great device for offroad navigation and I don’t see why it wouldn’t work great in a car either. The screen is big with 7 inches and is waterproof and designed to withstand rough terrain. Besides the standard GPS device tricks it comes with 115,000+ pre-loaded trails and waypoints (USA focussed). Since it is only for sale in the USA it won’t have any worldwide maps on it which makes it less functional for intercontinental travel.
CONs
- Only available in the USA
- Price
- Only North America Maps included
PROs
- Rugged design
- Integratedes seamlessly with ATVs and UTVs
- Shows vital vehicle data
- Wide collection of relevant POIs
11. Garmin inReach Explorer+
US$ 450
€ 500
The Garmin inReach is a 2way satellite communicator by design, meaning you can send and receive sms messages via the Iridium satellite network even in the remotest of areas. Connecting the device to your phone via Bluetooth expands the capabilities and you could use your phone as a navigation with the Garmin App. The Explorer + model includes topo maps on the device making it possible to use that as a navigation device.
However the device doesn’t have any onroad navigation aid but you can upload tracks to the Garmin for you to follow on the map. This won’t be the most intuitive user experience, because that is not what garmin is known for but you will get the most reliable device out there.
It also has a great battery life and is relatively small so you could take it out of your vehicle and on a hike with you for that extra safety net. It does come with an SOS button you can press and the call center will dispatch the local emergency rescue to come to your aid. Great to have as a backup in the outback.
Do realise that for the 2 way messaging you will need to get a subscription to the satellite network.
CONs
- Does not come with a mount
- Requires subscription for satelite messaging
PROs
- Rugged design and waterproof
- Two way satellite messaging
- Small screen
- Compact and easy to take on a hike
Accesories for dedicated GPS devices you need
Sunvisor
Whenever you are driving around in really sunny conditions, like the Australian outback, it is nice to have a sun visor for your device to reduce glare and prevent overheating. Another option would be to lower the GPS device in your car so it’s not in the direct sunlight. Check out the RAM mounts to get it mounted the way you want to.
Sunvisor for the Garmin Zumo XT GPS
Sunshade Visor Screen For Garmin 7'' inch GPS Devices
RAM mount
If the mount that comes with the device is not up to your standards or you find out after one test ride that it doesn’t, make sure to check out the wide collection of RAM mounts available for almost any device. Make sure you get the items from the B-line with the 1" balls, so they all fit together.
RAM Twist-Lock Suction Cup Base with Ball
US$19.49
RAM Mounting plate
US$8.99
RAM MOUNTS Double Socket Arm f/1" Ball
US$ 14.99
Additional Tools for Tablet solutions
RAM Mount for mounting your device the way you want
Mounting your tablet for navigation in your car, it is important that you know it will stay put while traveling though rough terrain. That is where you can trust the RAM mount to take care of your device and stay put wherever you explore. They have a wide variety of products to suit your needs for mounting your device.
RAM X-Grip with RAM Twist-Lock Suction Cup Mount for 7"-8" Tablets
US$ 72.99
RAM Tab-Tite Holder for 9" Tablets with a Heavy Duty Case
US$ 30.49
RAM X-Grip Drill-Down Double Ball Mount for 9"-10" Tablets
US$ 114.49
Rugged Casing
The downside of a tablet or phone is that the design is not meant for the outdoors. A simple slip can easily result in a cracked screen and you are unable to navigate home safely. No mitigate this risk it is advised to use at least some sort of screen protector + case. I highly recommend a Urban Armor Case to protect your tablet.
Full-Body Shockproof Case for Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite
US$ 16.99
iPad 10.2 Shockproof and Waterproof Case
Lifeproof FRĒ SERIES Waterproof Case for iPhone SE
US$ 51.06
GPS device for tablets without cellular
The Dual GPS puck is widely used among overlanders who navigate with a tablet that doesn’t have a GPS receiver integrated. However it is cheaper to get one of these then to upgrade your tablet so it is a popular solution. It works with Android and IOS so it is a great solution for everyone.
Dual Electronics Multipurpose Universal Bluetooth GPS Receiver
US$ 87.05
Best Overlanding Navigation Apps
In order of best to worst, however it really depends on your wants and needs. This list is here to let you know what is out there.
1. Google Maps
free, available worldwide
2. maps.me
free, available worldwide
3. GAIA GPS
free, $19.99/year, $39.99/year Focussed on the USA
4. ExplorerOz Travel
AU$59.99 one off, offline maps AU$49.99, tracking AU$29 per/year Like the name says, focussed on Australia and New Zealand
5. AVENZA Maps;
free, US29.99
6. OsmAnd
free, US$ 4.99 for contour lines plugin, US$ 19.99
7. Hema app 4WD
US$99.99 Focussed on Australia and New Zealand
8. onX Offroad
free, US$29.99/year Focussed on the USA
9. Memory Maps
free, $5 up to $200 or more, depending on the royalties charged by the map publisher.
10. BackCountry Navigator PRO
US14,99 Android only, additional costs for extra map layers in between $3.99 - $24.99 per item
11. Mud Map 3
AUS$ 99 Focussed on Australia and New Zealand
12. Hema Explorer
$16.99 Focussed on Australia and New Zealand, but also has some information for North America (iOS only)
13. Billy Goat Offroad
AUS$ 48/year Focussed on Australia and New Zealand
Turn any phone into a Riding dashboard
I had to mention the this app as a final point, because I find it incredibly brilliant and I can’t wait for it to be more mature. It is an app that turns your phone into a dashboard for driving with relevant apps and information just one click away. (ANDROID ONLY)
It can be combined with a small joystick you mount on your steering wheel or handlebars and it is a handsfree solution for using while moving. Check out the video to see how to use it.
Related questions
What is the Best GPS for Off Road Use?
The best GPS system for offroad use is a cellular tablet with Gaia GPS, Google Maps and the iOverlander app. Mounted in a rugged case with a RAM mount to the windshield. This is the most affordable and flexible way to navigate anywhere. The Garmin Montana 700i is the best dedicated GPS device.
What is the Best 4WD GPS?
The best 4WD GPS device is a cellular tablet with Gaia GPS, Google Maps and the iOverlander app. Mounted in a rugged case with a RAM mount to the windshield. This is the most affordable and flexible way to navigate anywhere. The Garmin Montana 700i is the best dedicated GPS device.
What’s the best 4x4 map app?
The best 4x4 map app is Gaia GPS (USA), ExplorerOz Travel (AUS and NZ) or the Avenza Maps app (WORLD) depending on where you are traveling. The best free app is maps.me which also supports simple topo layers and easy downloadable offline maps.
What is the Best Off Road App for iPhone?
The best off road app for iPhone is Gaia GPS (USA), ExplorerOz Travel (AUS and NZ) or the Avenza Maps app (WORLD) depending on where you are traveling. The best free app is maps.me which also supports simple topo layers and easy downloadable offline maps.
Does Garmin Have Off Road Maps?
Yes, Garmin has topo maps, birdseye maps and hunting maps that include off road trails and tracks which can be downloaded and used on different Garmin devices such as the Garmin Overlander, Garmin Zumo XT or the Garmin Montana 700.
What is the Best GPS for Off Road Riding?
The best dedicated GPS device for offroad motorcycle or atv riding is the Garmin Zumo XT which comes with dedicated topo maps, is waterproof and works with your gloves on. Second best is navigating with a phone and your favourite navigation app. Use the driving dashboard app to turn your phone into the perfect dashboard (Android only).