Garmin GPSMAP 67 Rugged GPS Handheld, Multi-Band GNSS, Topo Mapping, Satellite Imagery, Color Display (Renewed)
Features
| Screen Size | 3 inches |
| Additional Features | Bluetooth |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth, USB |
| Map Types | North America |
| Battery Average Life | 182 hours |
| Mounting Type | Wrist Mount, found in image |
| Resolution | 480 x 272 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
| Touch Screen Type | Capacitive |
| Display Type | color display |
| Human-Interface Input | Buttons |
| Supported Satellite Navigation System | BeiDou, GLONASS, GPS, Galileo |
| Item Weight | 8.1 ounces |
| Brand | Garmin |
| Model Name | Garmin GPSMAP 67 series |
| Built-In Media | GPSMAP 67 or GPSMAP 67i handheld device, type-A to type-C USB cable, carabiner clip, documentation |
| Model Year | 2024 |
| UPC | 657768918148 |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Mfr Part Number | 010-02813-00-cr |
| Warranty Description | 90 days limited warranty |
| ASIN | B0CS6YZRG4 |
- Large 3” sunlight-readable color display for easy viewing
- Expanded GNSS and multi-band technology allow you to get enhanced accuracy in challenging locations, including steep country, urban canyons and forests with dense trees
- Powered by internal Li-ion rechargeable battery, with up to 182 hours of battery life in standard mode and up to 840 hours in expedition mode
- Go-anywhere navigation with 3-axis compass and barometric altimeter
- Expanded wireless connectivity supports active weather for up-to-date forecasts and animated weather radar plus Geocaching Live for mobile syncing and updates when paired with your compatible smartphone
- Use with the Garmin Explore website or app on your compatible smartphone to help you plan trips and more
- Get access to a wide variety of premium mapping content with an Outdoor Maps+ subscription
Garmin eTrex® Solar, Rugged & Easy-to-Use GPS Handheld
Features
| Compatible with Vehicle Type | Boat |
| Screen Size | 2.2 inches |
| Additional Features | Bluetooth |
| Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
| Map Types | North America |
| Audio Output Mode | Digital |
| Battery Average Life | 200 hours |
| Mounting Type | Handheld |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 28 MB |
| Touch Screen Type | Capacitive |
| Display Type | LCD |
| Human-Interface Input | Buttons |
| Compatible Devices | Smartphone |
| Control Method | Touch |
| Supported Satellite Navigation System | GPS |
| Connectivity Protocol | Bluetooth |
| Sport Type | Camping & Hiking, Outdoor Lifestyle |
| Brand | Garmin |
| Model Name | eTrex Solar |
| Built-In Media | eTrex Solar handheld device, Type-C to Type-C USB cable, documentation |
| Model Year | 2023 |
| UPC | 753759329075 |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00753759329075 |
| Manufacturer | Garmin |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Item Type Name | Handheld GPS |
| Model Number | 010-02782-00 |
| Mfr Part Number | 010-02782-00 |
| Warranty Description | 1 year limited warranty |
| ASIN | B0CL7N15WM |
- The 2.2” high-contrast display is easy to read, even in bright sunlight
- Get unlimited battery life when used in sunny conditions (75,000 lux) or up to 200 hours with no solar charging
- Multi-band GPS gives you access to multiple frequencies sent by navigation satellites to provide superior positional accuracy
- Pair with the Garmin Explore app on your compatible smartphone for wireless software updates, trip planning, weather, smart notifications and additional mapping
- Get cache updates from Geocaching Live, including descriptions, logs and hints when paired to the Garmin Explore app on your compatible smartphone
- Plot your bearing with the digital compass, which provides an accurate heading even when stationary
- Hike in any weather with the water-resistant design (rated to IPX7)
In hard weather, navigation is less about convenience than keeping the next decision unmistakable.
Rain has flattened the trail, cloud has erased the ridge line, and the phone’s map is spinning on a weak signal. In that moment, a saved waypoint is not a nice extra: it may be the only clear reference between the last known junction and the intended exit.
The GPSMAP 67 brings a larger, more capable navigation platform, including multi-band positioning and a more involved interface—useful when tree cover, steep ground, or poor visibility complicate the fix. That capability comes with more device to carry and more settings to manage. The eTrex Solar trades that depth for a smaller, simpler unit whose solar-assisted endurance suits long days away from outlets. The meaningful choice is not screen size alone, but how much navigation detail and power independence the route genuinely demands.
- Multi-band GNSS can improve position consistency where signals reflect or weaken, such as forested gullies and rocky terrain.
- A physical-button handheld remains operable with wet gloves when a touchscreen phone becomes awkward.
Choose by route consequence, not features
What reliability means in sustained rain
An IP rating describes laboratory resistance to water and dust ingress. However, it does not reveal if a navigator remains easy to operate when the screen is wet. Gloves or rapid decisions can worsen usability.
Button spacing, tactile feedback, screen contrast, and a secure grip matter as much as the seal for handheld GPS.
For routes, reliability includes satellite reception under wet canopies or steep terrain, and readability in flat light for handheld GPS.
Additionally, the GPSMAP 67’s larger display and multi-band GNSS favor detailed map work and demanding reception conditions.
The eTrex Solar trades that depth for a smaller, simpler interface and solar-assisted endurance.
Power is part of navigation resilience. Battery format, realistic run time with backlight and tracking enabled, track recording, waypoint handling, and route recalculation all determine how long a device remains useful. Communications capability matters separately: GPSMAP 67 can pair with compatible inReach satellite communicators; neither handheld substitutes for one.
A sealed device can still be slow in rain if touch controls misread droplets, labels disappear in glare, or buttons cannot be distinguished through gloves.
GPSMAP 67 for complex terrain decisions
Best for challenging routes and extended remote trips
The GPSMAP 67 is a full-featured handheld navigator for routes where the line on the map matters as much as the next turn: sprawling trail networks, off-trail transitions, drainage crossings, and poorly signed junctions. Its larger color screen and Garmin’s deeper mapping ecosystem make it the more natural fit when navigation involves repeatedly inspecting terrain, contours, and a dense set of saved points rather than simply following a track.
It is a more deliberate tool than the eTrex Solar. That suits expeditions and technical backcountry planning, but asks for familiarity with menus, map layers, and power management. Satellite messaging is not built in; the GPSMAP 67 can pair with a compatible inReach device, which remains a separate device and subscription arrangement.
- Larger color map view supports contour and junction checks
- Multi-band GNSS can improve position confidence under canopy and in steep-sided terrain
- Handles dense waypoints, tracks, routes, and added mapping more comfortably
- Rechargeable battery has long stated operating modes
- Bulkier than the eTrex Solar for pocket carry
- Deeper menus reward practice before a consequential trip
- Internal battery needs a recharging plan
- inReach messaging requires a separate compatible device and service
Garmin eTrex Solar: confirmation without map overload
Best for sunny routes and budget-conscious hikers
The eTrex Solar is built around the essentials: record a track, mark a water source or exit, confirm position, and navigate back along a known line. Its compact body is easier to keep handy on wet traverses than a larger mapping handheld, while multi-band reception and a standstill-capable electronic compass add useful confidence at junctions and in broken terrain.
Solar assistance is especially attractive on exposed, sunny days, extending GPS runtime without dependence on a wall outlet. Its power system is rechargeable rather than AA-based, however, so field resilience comes from long runtime and solar exposure—not a quick standard-cell swap. It fits routes where a GPX track and carefully named waypoints carry most of the navigation load; it is less persuasive when detailed map interpretation drives every decision.
| Display | 2.2 in |
| Resolution | 240 × 320 |
| Satellite reception | Multi-band |
| GPS runtime | Up to 200 hr |
| Charging | Solar-assisted |
| Water rating | IPX7 |
| Orientation | Digital compass |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
- Compact, pocket-friendly format
- Long solar-assisted GPS runtime
- Multi-band positioning support
- Simple waypoint and track workflow
- Compass works while stationary
- Small screen limits map context
- No standard-cell battery swap
- Modest on-device map experience
- Complex GPX planning is less comfortable
| Map-heavy terrain Garmin GPSMAP 67 Rugged Multi-Band Navigator | VS | Simple navigation Garmin eTrex Solar Rugged GPS Handheld |
|---|---|---|
Multi-band GNSS | GNSS reception |
Multi-band GPS |
Strong situational aid | Dense canopy |
Useful position check |
May separate signals better | Canyon reflections |
May improve consistency |
Detailed map display | Position context |
Waypoint and track focus |
| Compare | Compare |
Multi-band reception can improve confidence where branches, cliff walls, or nearby rock reflect and obstruct satellite signals. In forest, narrow valleys, and urban-like canyons, the GPSMAP 67’s larger map view also makes a questionable fix easier to compare with terrain and track shape. The eTrex Solar can still provide valuable confirmation, but its simpler display offers less spatial context.
Neither device makes accuracy automatic. Satellite geometry, time under open sky, and multipath can move a reported position. More consequentially, a waypoint can be displaced dramatically when its datum or coordinate format differs from the paper map, route plan, or another person’s device. Confirm the same datum—commonly WGS 84—and the same handheld GPS coordinate format before sharing or entering coordinates.
Power plans after the forecast fails
GPSMAP 67’s large internal rechargeable battery can cover long GPS use, making it well suited to multi-day legs that start fully charged. Its trade-off is USB dependence: a power bank, cable, and charging port must stay dry. For remote-hiking navigation gear, a short, protected charging session in a tent or dry bag is more realistic than charging in rain.
Solar is a supplement, not a rescue plan
eTrex Solar can stretch its internal battery when it receives sustained daylight, especially on exposed routes or during breaks. Storm clouds, dense conifers, a pocket, and a pack-mounted position all sharply reduce that contribution. It does not accept replaceable AA cells, so solar does not eliminate the need for a protected USB power plan.
In cold weather, keep the handheld and reserve power bank insulated from wind and wet layers. Carry a dry cable and port cover; never rely on an exposed connector to restore navigation power.
Treat quoted runtime as a planning ceiling. Screen brightness, frequent map use, cold, and weak satellite conditions can reduce it.
When AA swaps matter more than solar
AA cells simplify resupply: spares can be split among a group, bought in small towns, and swapped without exposing a charge port. That advantage can justify looking beyond both featured units.
The GPSMAP 65/65s is the closest alternative for demanding navigation. It combines AA power with multi-band GNSS. However, its interface and mapping generation are older.
The eTrex SE suits waypoint and track travel with exceptional battery flexibility. Yet it lacks the map-led decision support of the handheld GPS.
For a broader comparison, see other AA-powered handheld GPS options.
AA logistics also require discipline: carry lithium primary cells for cold, dry backups.
Additionally, keep cells paired by age and brand for handheld GPS devices.
Rain changes navigation
Waterproofing is not wet usability.
For handheld GPS users, however, the GPSMAP 67 favors gloved marks, metrics, and night maps.
eTrex Solar essentials
Global Gear Watch introduces eTrex Solar’s hiking-focused solar navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between GPSMAP 67 and eTrex Solar?
The GPSMAP 67 emphasizes detailed map navigation with a larger color screen and multi-band GNSS, suited for complex terrain and off-trail routes. The eTrex Solar focuses on simplicity and solar-assisted endurance, better for track-following and waypoint-based navigation on sunny days.
Can you swap batteries in the field?
The GPSMAP 67 has an internal rechargeable battery; field swaps are not possible. The eTrex Solar is also rechargeable but cannot accept standard AA cells. For truly field-replaceable power, consider older AA-based models like the GPSMAP 65 or eTrex SE.
How does multi-band GNSS improve navigation?
Multi-band GNSS can receive signals across multiple frequency bands, which can improve position consistency in challenging reception areas like dense forest, deep canyons, or steep terrain where reflections and signal obstruction are common.
Is an IP rating enough for wet weather reliability?
An IP rating describes laboratory resistance to water ingress, but does not guarantee usability in rain. Screen contrast under wet conditions, button tactile feedback with gloves, and grip security matter equally. Both units prioritize these factors, but GPSMAP 67’s larger screen helps in flat light and gloved operation.
Can these handhelds send satellite messages?
Neither handheld has built-in messaging. The GPSMAP 67 can pair with a compatible inReach satellite communicator for messaging and tracking, but that requires a separate device and service subscription.
Choose for the Failure That Matters
- A backup is only independent when it does not rely on the same battery, map file, or communication link.
- For separated parties, a prearranged rendezvous and check-in window matter as much as a shared location pin.
The GPSMAP 67 is the more defensible choice when a navigation mistake could compound: intricate trail networks, poor visibility, steep terrain, or routes requiring frequent map interpretation. The eTrex Solar fits lighter trips where the task is mainly confirming position and following a simple line, and where daylight can meaningfully extend runtime.
Before departure, update maps and firmware, confirm datum and coordinate format, inspect the loaded route and critical waypoints, and test power accessories in the rain cover or dry bag. Split groups need an agreed method for sharing location from the trail, plus a rendezvous point if devices or messaging fail. Carry an independent paper map and compass, and consider a separately powered phone or satellite communicator rather than treating the handheld as the only way out.
5 Comments
The phrase “choose for the failure that matters” is the whole article in one sentence. People keep comparing screen size like they’re shopping for a phone, while I’m asking what happens if we miss the only safe exit from a flooded valley.
For that sort of route I’d take the 67, bring a printed overview and spare battery bank, and keep an inReach separately. No single gadget gets to be the hero.
I own the 67 and borrowed an eTrex Solar for a four-day canoe trip. In open water the solar model was perfectly adequate and noticeably nicer to carry. Once we got into narrow, wooded tributaries, I wanted the 67 back because I could actually see the track, shoreline shape, and the next couple of bends without constant zooming.
My gripe with the 67 is still USB charging. I can protect a power bank and cable, sure, but an AA swap is a very comforting kind of boring. Which one did you end up choosing for your own remote trips?
For map-heavy hiking and route research on the move, I would choose the GPSMAP 67. For lighter trips built around following a single known track, the eTrex Solar is the one I would carry. But for a trip where resupply is uncertain and I cannot reliably recharge, I would seriously consider the AA-powered GPSMAP 65/65s instead of treating solar as an equivalent replacement.
Same conclusion here. Solar was great at slowing the battery drain, not magic “never charge again” power. On a gray, rainy trip it was basically just a compact GPS with a very good battery.
A little skeptical of solar being presented as a power plan for wet routes. In November in the Pacific Northwest, “daylight” is mostly a rumor. It seems useful as endurance assistance, but not something I would depend on instead of a charging plan.