I wander and might get misplaced sometimes. What higher method to hold me on observe than by testing the Garmin GPSMap 66i.
What it’s
With a fast search, you can find countless weblog pages and hours of video on all of the performance of the 66i — far more than we will cowl right here.
In a nutshell, it’s a merger of a GPS navigator with satellite tv for pc communications and works in probably the most distant areas of the province or nation exterior of cell vary. Some premium options require an inReach subscription for satellite tv for pc performance, however many functions can be utilized with out it.
What we like
- Look and really feel: It’s a rugged unit with an enormous, shiny display screen that’s waterproof and constructed for arduous use.
- Battery life: With completely different mode choices, Garmin claims you may get as many as 200 hours. My assessments have been spectacular.
- SOS operate: In case of emergency, you’ll be able to ship an SOS message and site to the Garmin skilled emergency response coordination centre. This might actually be a lifesaver.
- Iridium satellite tv for pc community: Full performance is out there when out of cell vary.
- inReach climate: This offers you the power to get detailed climate forecasts in your location, waypoints, or locations in your route.
- Maps: It comes preloaded with topo maps, with the power to overlay different map choices.
- Two-way messaging and site sharing. What’s to not like about that? And way more…
Reader assessment of the 66i
We gave the unit to OOD reader and avid GPS consumer Doug Bruce to take for a take a look at spin. Here are his impressions:
As an enthusiastic geocacher in Sudbury proudly owning two Garmin handhelds, together with a GPSMAP 64sx, I used to be excited to be taught OOD was planning a assessment of a 66i. I emailed the journal for more information, and after a number of emails with the editorial workforce, they despatched me the unit for my enter.
At $829.99, the Garmin GPSMAP 66i is aimed toward professionals and those that need peace of thoughts when out of cellphone vary. This system operates off the Iridium satellite tv for pc community, permitting you to ship and obtain textual content or e-mail messages wherever on this planet. It has dwell location monitoring, so you’ll be able to share your location progress with family and friends. You can obtain climate forecast updates. The GPSMAP 66i can ship SOS alerts to a Garmin emergency response centre manned 24/7, anytime, globally.
These messaging/SOS options require a subscription by Garmin.com, much like a cellphone plan. You can select a month-to-month plan that may be paused and reactivated as wanted.
The display screen is a bit larger and better decision than on the MAP64 sequence. I discovered the show simple to learn even in shiny solar and snow. Boot up and satellite tv for pc acquisition time was quick. The base map offered can be extra superior than earlier units, in color and factors of curiosity and road names right here in Sudbury have been proven. Navigating by the menus is simple by way of crisp push buttons. I favor these over a touch-screen mannequin. The inside lithium-ion battery is charged by way of a USB wire. Battery life supplies as many as 35 hours or as a lot as 200 hours on expedition mode.
Avid geocaching
As an avid geocacher, I wished to move out cache searching. You can register this system at geocaching.com for ease of downloading caches. I did it manually. In the sphere, pulling up the cache on the system concerned quite a few makes an attempt earlier than I obtained the sequence proper. Accuracy was, as anticipated from a Garmin, glorious. There is sort of the training curve with this system, and the 53-page downloadable proprietor’s handbook is a should learn.
Whether you’re in search of peace of thoughts within the again nation, or just a fan of premium expertise, the GPSMAP 66i is price testing. In telling pals of my take a look at run with this system, probably the most requested questions have been, “Do you get to keep it?”, “Do you have to send it back?” It was enjoyable, however nope, and sure.
Ultra compact possibility
If you have already got a GPS unit and would identical to so as to add the satellite tv for pc performance of inReach, take a look at Garmin’s new and really compact inReach Mini 2 (MSRP: $529.99)
GPSMAP 66i
MSRP: $829.99 Premium function plans begin at $11.95/month, and might be suspended any time.
Originally revealed within the April 2022 situation of Ontario OUT of DOORS