Sometimes old school, tried and true technology is the best. I hope they never discontinue this family of units or reduce the quality. The fact that this is old technology and is not the sleek design of a smartphone is a turnoff for most but not for me. But if you do what I do, you need a separate rock solid unit for navigation. Maybe the iPhone for casual day hikes or a backup unit…but when the sleet begins to fall in the high north and dusk is settling in, you won’t get far without solid gear like a garmin 60 series. - AA batteries are easy to find and switch out. You don’t have to worry about an internal lithium getting permanently worn down especially in extreme cold weather. -last a long time. My old 62 unit is still working after a decade of hard use. -rugged! I’ve dropped these on rocks and the unit just shrugs it off with ease. - water tight…self explanatory - accurate under the worst conditions. I have been in thick spruce and heavy rain with no issues.
Excellent presentation and thank you!!.. From a hunters experience, the 65 S is the way to go when you're hunting in thick cedar swamps with snow and ice hanging off the thick pine trees. Under these situations , it's more about satellite acquisition than accuracy. During the hunt the gps is turned off most of the day. When it's time to head back out of the woods OR mark a POI along the way, the unit is turned back on to set the compass azimuth back to the vehicle. I also prefer the smaller unit with removable AA batteries.
I am getting one of these for Christmas as I am an avid birder and many times I have got myself lost while following birds. In getting one of these I will be able to set up a waypoint to get me back to my car. The main factor for me is being able to get back to my car as where I live it is flat and one tree looks like the last one. No hills to get bearings from. So this could very well be a life saver and my life in that. So thank you for your report on this and I know I will watch this a few time to make sure I understand it as I can be slow on the up take of information. I enjoyed how you talked about this as it was open and not hiding anything. Thanks.
You can accomplish that with a watch like the Instinct or many apps on a smart phone. Or, a compass and knowing the general direction you headed from your car. You only have to head back in the general direction to find the road.
Just got this model for my backcountry canoe trips in northern Ontario can't wait to get it out and see how useful it is I've always used maps but my canoe partner swears by his Garmin so I figured I'll give it a shot
Let's go shopping on this hike.. there it is, let's hike to Marshall's 😂 Love this review. Usually I tent to stray away from longer review videos... I eventually lose interest pretty fast. This video was great though, to the point and also detailed and helpful. Thank you!
Great video! More "geeking" is great! I love learning about the random details that make these instruments work. Love the content - from a field geologist.
I agree on the geocaching with increased accuracy provided the hider has the same equipment to take the cords when placing the cache and using the averaging feature to get more accurate cords. Just curious if you purchased this unit and using it for geocaching? Does the map view allow using "two small data fields" as I want as much of the screen real estate view possible?
@@TeamDiviDivi Yes, you can set up the map so that there is 1-Large; 2-Small, or 4-Small data fields, all above what's left for the map. No, I don't have the 65, I have an older Garmin Map 62ST. I can count on one hand the number of geocachers I know personally that waypoint average co ords in an effort to be as accurate as possible on the cache location. As you well know, waypoint averaging takes time, something most hiders skimp on. Make sure WAAS is activated in your GPS. I have Garmin 24K maps inside my GPS which shows elevation relief lines every 40' instead of every 100' change in elevation.
Ordered one today. As a geocacher who prefers placing new hides I believe this will be helpful. Always a fan of button Garmins. My last handheld was a 60csx which finally suffered water damage. Thanks for the thorough review!
I'm just blown away that anyone would give a good review to this thing. The screen is so tiny that you either have to zoom in so much to see trail names that you loose the overall picture, or zoom out and then there is not enough detail to tell where you are. I was forced to consult a map every time to get an overall idea where I was, defeating the whole purpose of just being able to push a button. I was going to replace my phone GPS with this thing, but after trying it for a while it is obvious that my phone actually has better software on it, and the screen is twice the size. It may be accurate, but the screen is just too small for it to be useful.
There is a definite learning curve to these. Unfortunately it gets a really bad rap from those who want the glitz of an iPhone. But as someone who has used these (and smartphones) extensively, I hold the garmin 60 series in high regard. They last years of rough handling. There is a reason why garmin still sells them.
Thank you for the review, I really like your channel! The GPSMAP 65s looks great but I hope to see software updates where they implement SAT-IQ like on the Enduro 2 / Fenix 7 to optimize battery usage. Too bad the 66 series doesn't have an AA-powered device with both multi-gnss and multi-band. I have both a GPSMAP 66st and 64s and even if the 64 form factor is a tad easier to hold in the hand but with heavier gloves I find the 66 buttons layout a lot more user-friendly and the 66 screen is better too. Maybe we'll get that when Garmin lauches the next gen GPSMAP series.
Great review - helped me select this model over the 64csx. The sun glare on the screen interfered with seeing the whole screen occasionally - no real issue. Thank you.
Thank you.Great review about the 65s. I'm from the UK and was already considering this device vs the 66s but now I'm more inclined to go for the older 66s with the slightly bigger screen and a few additional features than the slightly better accuracy. As I have no inreach satellite comms requirements, it was also the next best thing to your 66i recommendationn
Thank you, glad it was helpful, it sounds like the 66sr might be a good fit, no InReach, multi-GNSS/band, and bigger screen of the 66 - worth checking out
Man, thank you. Alot for that.. i was hoping to do just that very thing.. to help anyone else out who wanted to apply or whis about to start at UPS IR JUST HAD QUESTIONS about how things work there.. Thanks a ton for watching and commenting. That's. 😎 cool. Thanks A million times.
I like all your videos. I am planning a trip to Patagonia and wondered if the 65s would be the gps unit to take with me and also would I need to get a satellite subscription? I am new to gps units but would feel more comfortable with another source if mapping.
I am volunteering for a nonprofit that is looking to collect geospatial data for their trail system on a budget. The extra precision of this device seem like a good fit for this use case (as you suggested in a comment on one of your other great videos)
Thank you very much for your honest review on this one. This might be the unit for me. I got an old Magellan Triton unit witch as seen better days, It's tired now:) so I'm in the market for a new handheld unit like this one. People around me say I should just download an app for my smartphone and use that instead, but I don't like that. I need to have something robust that does't brake when you drop it on the ground when your in the forest. I'm using it to locate borders between land owners, mostly in the forest, so accuracy is important to me. Is this my best go or should I consider other units for my purpose? Cheers from Sweden!
The added accuracy might help when hunting for tracking purposes. Being able to see exactly where you have already searched on a grid is a nice advantage.
Thanks for the review and glad to see you have some urban canyon testing too on your site where the multi-band will really make the difference, the stated "accuracy" is just the theoretical accuracy based on the PDOP (geometry of the satellites in the fix) so doesn't really mean much, case in point, you can have multipath signal in there and a single band GPS won't know any better. These new multi-band systems sort of make me want to get another handheld unit like in the "old days" (started with a Magellan 315 when SA was turned off in 2000 and ended with an Oregon 400 via the GMap 60/60s, eTrex, etc...) but since 2010 I've switched to Locus on Android smartphones, it's just so much easier (route creation, track recording, streamed maps, etc...) vs the good old clumsy Garmin interface. Mind you I don't do extreme hiking where a handheld unit would be a must.
Thanks for the review. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 64S that I use when I place a blood track for my dog in the forest. In practice, this means that I want my device to know exactly where the track was laid. Because of the trees, it is not easy for my device to have contact with the satellites. Anyways - my question is if you have done any tests comparing the 64S to the 65S - accuracy wise in a forest?
Thanks, great help. 👍 will be my go to in the back country with compass system. Like the battery system. I cross state lines in some areas and get close to the boarder between US and Canada. Its nice to know when you getting close. Does it take an SD card?JMHO
You have to be moving with the non-digital compass on these units. It calculates the heading by evaluating two track points. So if you want to get a heading at a stationary position, the digital compass is the way to go. You might also want to inviest in a proper compass that doesn't need to be calibrated like a digital compass does.
Great video I must say! I was wondering if switching on Demo Mode will actually significantly increase battery life, but you still be able to use compass, etc. ?
Thanks for this review. I monitor rare plants in deep woods. They can be small and difficult to find from year to year, and trampling is a risk from too much searching. So a more precise GPS might be very useful. A battery contact in my 60CSx corroded away today, so I will be removing the AA batteries of my 65s whenever not in use if I splurge for one. You should probably mention that as a durability issue of models that accept AA batteries. Another thing I'd like to know is how long I have to wait for the 65s to get 6 ft. accuracy. The 60CSx uses averaging to improve accuracy, and that, and its character entry system is a PITA. Can the bluetooth on the 65s receive text input for waypoints from an iPhone? I tried using my 60CSx as a road GPS in Costa Rica, using a dataset I bought from a Costa Rica source. The maps were fine, but that GPS lead us off the main route every time, down a private driveway, and then the 60CSx crashed. Have you tried road navigation with the 65s in Costa Rica or any other country without street signs? I also like to sail, and had no luck interfacing the external data port on my 65CSx with my Raymarine ST1000 autohelm using Seatalk or NMEA. It's supposed to enable tracking to a line rather than a point. Can I expect better success from the 65s?
Great video and love learning all this stuff. I'm trying to figure out which Garmin GPSMAP model to go for. I haven't had one before but would enjoy having one of these on my hike in the UK. I know I'm a novice but at the same time, I know these are expensive pieces of kit. However, on the other hand, I don't want to choose the wrong one. To me, it's all a little confusing with all these different models
Yea, I understand, there are a lot of options. If you just need something basic thats built for the outdoors and you want to save money, try the eTrex 22x > amzn.to/3aWJNHg - that will have everything you need in a package that you can get wet, drop, etc.
Thanks from Downunder (Australia). Like your channel. I'm in the market for a new handheld set. Do lots of horseback riding on outback trails. I was born too early to be computer savvy; so simple and easy to work set required. Please - which Garmin system do you recommend for my application; should have Topo maps (Aus/NZ)
Will this unit be a good fit for Horseback riding in the back country? I have access to an older Garmin 60CSx. What is the difference? I'm a newbie to GPS technology. Thank you very much! 💕
This is basically the same thing as the 60 but more accurate / reliable and probably a little quicker. If you have a 60 and it works okay for you, probably not a need to upgrade. But if it's showing its age, the 65s is a great upgrade.
Enjoyed your GPSMap 66sr review, very useful. Have you tested it or the GPSMap 65s under dense forest canopy at all? I do a lot of mapping in the Pacific Northwest in forests and wondered if the MultiBand feature would be more accurate, as it should be. Currently I use a Garmin Oregon 700 and my iphone 12 Pro with the Gaiagps app.
It worked great during about 16 hours of hiking in Hoh rainforest and prob 20 hours in dense pine here in SoCal when I had it. I didn't do an in depth comparison of my time in canopy vs not - but nothing odd jumped out. It all looked solid.
Thanks. I was at a geochache with one-side hills. So the iphone gps was unable to locate with 10 meter precision on a place every meter climbing was risky.
hi, thanks for your comments on GPSMAP 65s. I am particularly interested in the aspect you investigate in the first minutes of the video (satellite reception). I would buy an unit for trekking and outdoor adventures. but I'm not sure which one is best for me (trying to save the possible $$) what I see in the features is that between the 65s and the 64sx the important thing that changes is the additional support of the 65s QZSS satellite system compared to the 64sx which only has GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO. do you think the QZSS is worth the roughly $ 85 price difference? because otherwise they are very similar in characteristics. Thank you!
This might help you decide > hikingguy.com/how-to-hike/how-does-gps-work-gps-for-dummies/ - if you're trying to save money and don't care about 6ft of accuracy versus 16 feet then just go with the 64, it's a great unit.
Great informative video. Now 2 years later I’m thinking about getting the 66s. Do you know if it’s basically the same but newer? My old yellow eTrex is about DONE! Lol
Nice video! Can you tell me if you can select two small data fields to display on the map screen like on the MAP 62 or 64 units? I just returned a MAP66 because it does not allow this customization and allows 4 small data fields not 2 small data fields. We use for geocaching and having only two small data fields allows for more map viewing real estate. Don't care about the dashboards. Thanks for your detailed review.
Can you help me out by showing me your personal trip computer data fields? I’m new to the gpsmap 65s and it’s a little overwhelming on all the options.
This may seem silly to ask but anyways.. I’m a deer hunter mainly and the only hiking I do is when I’m scouting for deer sign and where to hunt. I’m tossed between the 65s, 66sr and the new Etrex SE. I love the birdseye imagery but seems to be a nuisance to have to download areas of it on the 66sr but you can buy the huntview plus sd card for the 65s and not have to worry about downloading areas. Sorry for rambling just need expert advice on this to decide. Also the new Etrex SE seems bare bones and I would definitely consider buying it but it doesn’t come with a sd card slot for extra memory or for me to use the huntview plus card.. so after all of that rambling I just gave what’s your thoughts in my situation?
With the more precise accuracy would you suggest this for Geocaching ? Or is it over kill ? If so which unit would you suggest ? I still like to hike and camp but not a lot of extreme backwoods ..yet.
If you already have a good GPS for geocaching, I'd stick with that. But if you're in the market for a new one, I'd go with this since the accuracy would prob help a bit.
Thanks for great review. Is it possible to import directly gpx route from garmin connect to gpsmap 65s or it needs the garmin explorer? Also, when you finish an activity can it sync with garmin connect? or not?
You need to go from Explore > 66sr - but when you save an activity it will sync back to Garmin Connect (and Explore). I know, it's confusing and not the greatest setup... hopefully it gets a little more intuitive in the future.
Yes, it can receive the (overall better) new bands which have a better effective signal. This will be helpful > hikingguy.com/how-to-hike/how-does-gps-work-gps-for-dummies/
Do you have any recommendation or advice about buying the Garmin TOPO US 24 series either as a download or MicroSD? (I had an old 60CSx - which I loved till the buttons malfunctioned and currently own an Oregon 600. The DVD based Garmin maps I had for those are not compatible with the 65s.) Thanks!
There’s quite a few people who care about as much accuracy as possible in a unit and the tinier 6 foot bubble while hiking is great. Makes a huge difference when retracing trails and if I decide to map them as well.
I create trail guides and detailed GPX files (hundreds on my channel) and for me 3 feet doesn't seem to make a huge difference when in the field and trying to decide where the trail is or isn't.
I wish Garmin would send me units to test (and then I send back), but I have to pay for everything out of my pocket, and unfortunately now I just am not able to get a 64x...
So InReach (Iridium) and GLONASS are really close in frequency, so that's why you don't see them together. I think transmitted InReach from a unit would fry / overwhelm the GNSS receiver. The 66i can actually receive GLONASS but it's turned off in the firmware (confirmed from Garmin tech). So I guess until they can solve that problem, no dice. And in terms of alternatives to Garmin, you can get a rugged smartphone + big battery, but you still have the problems with touchscreens in the rain.
I want to transfer kmz files(map)to garmin internal memory.if i buy type c to mini usb cable or adaptor do you think that will work?with windows emulator on my android phone?will android read internal memory because over there in a special folder i want to transfer kmz files. I want to do that without computer.also i want to say that kmz files inside memory card garmin can not read them.thank you.
You can, but there is a little switch in the center of the battery compartment which must be depressed to enable the charging mode. Just add something suitable below the batteries (cardboard, folded paper, plastic scrap etc.), that will do the job. Garmin also sells a battery pack which includes this plastic strip, but that’s a waste of money because there are better batteries on the market.
@@hollernathan I mesed up and answered that before I drank coffee, IT DOES NOT HAVE WIFI, you have to update using Garmin Express. Thought I was on the 66 video... sorry about that... sorry to hear about the 66sr - usually the first firmware releases from Garmin are bad, they shouldn't be, but they are, but I noticed the 66sr has had some firmware updates lately, including some addressing power-off issues > www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=15447
great review - thanks for your efforts! I will use your links when I'm ready to buy. I am just looking for a reliable unit that I can use while hiking, hunting and fishing (Shore, lake, river and inland). I would like Cookie crumbs and trail maps but I'm still not sure which unit to get. I'll take a further look at your guides and see if I can find a suitable unit. thanks again - very useful information.
Thank you, glad the guides were helpful. If you want to just get something decent and affordable, the GPSMAP 64 units are still great and often on sale. If I was buying one new and wanted the accuracy, this 65s is about as good as you can get without a professional instrument
@@Hikingguy Just an FYI - got the 64sx through your amazon link and so far so good. I had a little trouble understanding how to use the compass and tried using Garmin support. What a waste of time. Just an FYI the support chat tech said the compass didn't need calibration since it was calibrated at the factory and I shouldn't recalibrate it. Garmin sent a support survey and that was almost as bad as the support I got. Just a smiley face or sad face. One other time I called (or had them call me) and this the support was great - accurate, friendly and very informative. A great experience. I guess support is dependent on who you get. It made me feel a lot better about Garmin in general. All in all a good product and great advice from you.- thanks again.
@@senseidadproductions Nice, glad it all worked out, and yea, the support can be hit or miss. If I get a bad response I usually call back until I get someone good. You can also email them at: product.support@garmin.com
Hi, Thx. for your reviews , I have the 66S, and mainly for getting waypoints. Looking at the Average Waypoint function, it says, in the manual, to wait 90 Minutes between samples !. Can this be true from your experience ?
I looked into the accuracy a while ago and I think for most folks, just doing the immediate averaging is okay. If it's critical to get max accuracy, they say wait 90 mins so that different satellites are above, and you can get a different fix. This article is interesting > www.seahorsecorral.org/gps-study.html - I'd say if you need high precision, you might be better off with a surveying unit like this guy - bad-elf.com/pages/flex
Unfortunately when new Garmin units come out these days they're more buggy than they should be, but Garmin is good at updating the firmware and even improving the feature set. I've used the eTrex 32x and didn't experience the resetting, so not sure what that is, but I'd just say make sure the firmware is up to date. Otherwise might be a hardware issue.
Would you recommend this gps verses other options? Obviously this one uses the many different satellite systems. But I'm not looking for EXACT accuracy. What about the older garmin gps's? I want simething with a good map, that let's me put a pin where I start, and tells me where I am. Any suggestions?
Most GPS units will get you within 16 feet in most situations. So unless you're hiking in deep canyons all the time, just get one that's cheap and works for you. If you can afford this one, it's probably going to perform the best for you. Otherwise you can probably get a 64 on sale which is still a solid unit.
@@Hikingguy thanks for the info. Think I am going to get this one though. It is expensive, but I does seem like a nice buy. Is the top map it comes with any good?
Hopefully someone will see this question! I know it's ben a few years since this video was posted. Can I add Gaia maps to this device? If I added an external SD card, can I ad either Gaia of Trailforks maps?
how this compare to 64 models in terms of accuracy etc and does this mirrors screen to let say your smartphone or tablet? is there any option for rechargeable lion or lipo batteries for this (adapter or whatever)?
At 16:30 the arrow is pointing to the left 9 o'clock position but your walking in the 12:00 position. This doesn't make any sense. Why are you not walking in the direction of the arrow???
Glad you differentiated GNSS from multi band most people don't have a clue when they review units good job and don't forget the L5 constellation is not a complete one yet
Can you not use the wifi to text a message for help from your phone. Can I use my phone through this system to look at my maps.see I ride off road motorcycle so I could have gps on me for safety and have my phone on the bike and it would be easier to see the maps. Thanks.
You can get phone notifications but you can't text through the 65s. It works as a GPS "remote" if you use the Garmin Explore app, so you could look at the phone if they were connected with Bluetooth.
@@Hikingguy this bug /That said, I am curious if you have added any custom maps yet? I currently have a ticket open with garmin because it seems the 65s does not give an option to disable maps in the custom maps folder. This is a pretty big issue and is definitely different than the 64 series.
@@frankgordonsmith4795 Ah, yea, the map toggle, no I don't think it's been fixed yet but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be addressed by the next firmware update. The 66i had some pretty bad bugs when it first came out and now it's rock solid. I'd say if you can deal with not having it for the next couple of months, my bet would be that it's going to be addressed. You can see the firmware updates for the 65 here: www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=15515
Hi its me again 🙄... I now have the 65s but I am struggling.... Imagine I want to walk seven days in a row and record each day separately... Then upload the data to a map on my phone and be able to view the distance, time and all stats etc.... How?!... I though this would be simple but I am lost I will. Eventually need this for a trek that lasts over 4 years and I'll be living outdoors the whole time so being able to transfer data on a daily basis to a phone was an absaloute essential 😔
At the end of your day, go to Track Manager > Current Track, then save it. Sync with the Garmin Explore app to transfer the tracks to your computer. I would walk through the manual > www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-EA40F185-39D1-4C3B-B512-7AA823FA3DB5/EN-US/GUID-01F384A4-5DA3-4822-8101-647111F7F516-homepage.html
@@HikingguyI think I have it figured out but I seem to get more information going to the explore website than the app... But I can't say I'm impressed with any of it so far but maybe I'm missing something... Just doesn't seem to be a lot of statistics for the saved route And really not a user friendly experience
How long does the battery last when recording your hike to later upload to the Garmin app? Another question if I may... What would you recommend for primarily and accurately recording hikes.. Navigation not needed but accurate recording is... I would need to upload the data to a phone in some way and then represent the data on a map for others to view along with other data such a terrain and ascents etc .. I'm going to be hiking for many years on a fundraiser and recording it is essential for me so appreciate your help
@@Hikingguy thank you again.... This will be my second attempt as the first attempt failed to raise adaquate funds for charities ... It still. Reached approximately £7,000 but this was over nearly three years of trekking And simultaneously living outdoors which was great sacrifice to my health and mind etc... This second attempt will hopefully be much more successful and recording the data is really important to me... And likely come in useful to others in the future... The 65s seems the best for my budget and again thanks for the help 😊
All you need is the Garmin watch like the Instinct. It will connect to Garmin Connect app on phone which can send it to Strava. Strava can correct your gps elevation data to topographic data. And, it keeps long term map and data you can share. It touches all your bases. Accuracy is within a few feet on anything out there, and quite adequate. None are truly at 2 meters, and it's irrelevant.
Great job. Do you know anyplace on the web where you can get cool secret not so known gps coordinates? So I can load into gpsmap 66sr and explore? Thank you
Thanks for the review, I think you have one of the first on youtube for the 65s. I bought this a few weeks ago and agree on it's accuracy, it's very good. That said, I am curious if you have added any custom maps yet? I currently have a ticket open with garmin because it seems the 65s does not give an option to disable maps in the custom maps folder. This is a pretty big issue and is definitely different than the 64 series. Have you tried adding custom .kmz's on the 65s and disabling them? I cannot disable them on mine and I think it is a bug on garmin's part? Let me know your thoughts.
Just checked, having the same issue and emailed Garmin support. Good catch. Yea, I loaded mine in and saw it, but didn't try to disable it at all. It's kind of mind boggling that something like this gets through when the operating system has been basically the same for the last 8 years or so. Thanks for the callout and fingers crossed that the next firmware will address...
@@Hikingguy thanks for checking on that. My ticket has kind of stalled out but hopefully yours will get some traction. ...I've been watching some of your other vids and really enjoy them.
@@ebswv8 Thank you and yea, fingers crossed on the support ticket. My guess is that there will be a firmware update in the next month or two. Usually they don't leave a unit on the initial release firmware too long.
Sometimes old school, tried and true technology is the best. I hope they never discontinue this family of units or reduce the quality. The fact that this is old technology and is not the sleek design of a smartphone is a turnoff for most but not for me. But if you do what I do, you need a separate rock solid unit for navigation. Maybe the iPhone for casual day hikes or a backup unit…but when the sleet begins to fall in the high north and dusk is settling in, you won’t get far without solid gear like a garmin 60 series.
- AA batteries are easy to find and switch out. You don’t have to worry about an internal lithium getting permanently worn down especially in extreme cold weather.
-last a long time. My old 62 unit is still working after a decade of hard use.
-rugged! I’ve dropped these on rocks and the unit just shrugs it off with ease.
- water tight…self explanatory
- accurate under the worst conditions. I have been in thick spruce and heavy rain with no issues.
Excellent presentation and thank you!!.. From a hunters experience, the 65 S is the way to go when you're hunting in thick cedar swamps with snow and ice hanging off the thick pine trees. Under these situations , it's more about satellite acquisition than accuracy. During the hunt the gps is turned off most of the day. When it's time to head back out of the woods OR mark a POI along the way, the unit is turned back on to set the compass azimuth back to the vehicle. I also prefer the smaller unit with removable AA batteries.
This is your best bet - you have multi-GNSS and multi-band, so better acquisition overall.
Great video. Don't be embarrassed to be knowledgeable. I work in tech and it's nice to learn the details of things. Cheers.
I am getting one of these for Christmas as I am an avid birder and many times I have got myself lost while following birds.
In getting one of these I will be able to set up a waypoint to get me back to my car. The main factor for me is being able to get back to my car as where I live it is flat and one tree looks like the last one. No hills to get bearings from. So this could very well be a life saver and my life in that. So thank you for your report on this and I know I will watch this a few time to make sure I understand it as I can be slow on the up take of information. I enjoyed how you talked about this as it was open and not hiding anything. Thanks.
Yup, you can set a waypoint at the car, and you can also navigate back on a track (called "tracback") - glad the review came in handy 👍
You can accomplish that with a watch like the Instinct or many apps on a smart phone. Or, a compass and knowing the general direction you headed from your car. You only have to head back in the general direction to find the road.
Just got this model for my backcountry canoe trips in northern Ontario can't wait to get it out and see how useful it is I've always used maps but my canoe partner swears by his Garmin so I figured I'll give it a shot
This is still a great unit and a great value for the price.
Thanks for your insight in to this device.I will mostly use mine for work and hiking trails here in South Africa 🇿🇦.
Planning to use this for work related survey, so the precision is essential
Let's go shopping on this hike.. there it is, let's hike to Marshall's 😂 Love this review. Usually I tent to stray away from longer review videos... I eventually lose interest pretty fast. This video was great though, to the point and also detailed and helpful. Thank you!
Thanks! Excellent review!
Great video! More "geeking" is great! I love learning about the random details that make these instruments work. Love the content - from a field geologist.
Awesome,, thank you 🙏👍 - check out the link in the description too, I do a deeper geek dive in the article...
The added accuracy from 8' down to 6' could help when I'm looking for geocaches if the geocache coords are accurate & that's a big IF.
True... I guess you have to assume the person leaving the cache was also accurate though.
Precision is also essential for field geology! That's the information I needed from this video and I got it! Thanks again!
I agree on the geocaching with increased accuracy provided the hider has the same equipment to take the cords when placing the cache and using the averaging feature to get more accurate cords. Just curious if you purchased this unit and using it for geocaching? Does the map view allow using "two small data fields" as I want as much of the screen real estate view possible?
@@TeamDiviDivi Yes, you can set up the map so that there is 1-Large; 2-Small, or 4-Small data fields, all above what's left for the map. No, I don't have the 65, I have an older Garmin Map 62ST. I can count on one hand the number of geocachers I know personally that waypoint average co ords in an effort to be as accurate as possible on the cache location. As you well know, waypoint averaging takes time, something most hiders skimp on.
Make sure WAAS is activated in your GPS. I have Garmin 24K maps inside my GPS which shows elevation relief lines every 40' instead of every 100' change in elevation.
Ordered one today. As a geocacher who prefers placing new hides I believe this will be helpful. Always a fan of button Garmins. My last handheld was a 60csx which finally suffered water damage. Thanks for the thorough review!
I'm just blown away that anyone would give a good review to this thing. The screen is so tiny that you either have to zoom in so much to see trail names that you loose the overall picture, or zoom out and then there is not enough detail to tell where you are. I was forced to consult a map every time to get an overall idea where I was, defeating the whole purpose of just being able to push a button. I was going to replace my phone GPS with this thing, but after trying it for a while it is obvious that my phone actually has better software on it, and the screen is twice the size. It may be accurate, but the screen is just too small for it to be useful.
There is a definite learning curve to these. Unfortunately it gets a really bad rap from those who want the glitz of an iPhone. But as someone who has used these (and smartphones) extensively, I hold the garmin 60 series in high regard. They last years of rough handling. There is a reason why garmin still sells them.
Thank you HG, great description of this model and how to use its features and very well spoken.
Thanks 🙏
Thank you for the review, I really like your channel! The GPSMAP 65s looks great but I hope to see software updates where they implement SAT-IQ like on the Enduro 2 / Fenix 7 to optimize battery usage. Too bad the 66 series doesn't have an AA-powered device with both multi-gnss and multi-band. I have both a GPSMAP 66st and 64s and even if the 64 form factor is a tad easier to hold in the hand but with heavier gloves I find the 66 buttons layout a lot more user-friendly and the 66 screen is better too. Maybe we'll get that when Garmin lauches the next gen GPSMAP series.
Great review - helped me select this model over the 64csx. The sun glare on the screen interfered with seeing the whole screen occasionally - no real issue. Thank you.
Great detailed information on the 65s. I just ordered mine and hope it works well for me in the Australian high country
Thank you and enjoy it, it's a great unit!
Thank you.Great review about the 65s. I'm from the UK and was already considering this device vs the 66s but now I'm more inclined to go for the older 66s with the slightly bigger screen and a few additional features than the slightly better accuracy. As I have no inreach satellite comms requirements, it was also the next best thing to your 66i recommendationn
Thank you, glad it was helpful, it sounds like the 66sr might be a good fit, no InReach, multi-GNSS/band, and bigger screen of the 66 - worth checking out
Excellent video. It answered my questions.
Man, thank you. Alot for that.. i was hoping to do just that very thing.. to help anyone else out who wanted to apply or whis about to start at UPS IR JUST HAD QUESTIONS about how things work there..
Thanks a ton for watching and commenting. That's. 😎 cool. Thanks
A million times.
I like all your videos. I am planning a trip to Patagonia and wondered if the 65s would be the gps unit to take with me and also would I need to get a satellite subscription? I am new to gps units but would feel more comfortable with another source if mapping.
Nice review ,I used Garmin 60CSX for air navigation
When you're hunting precision is key. Can wait to try mine in the woods. Great video 👍
Thank you, have fun with it, it's a great unit. I'm testing the 66sr now which also has multi-band and overall very stable and precise like the 65s
Precision is very nice for mushroom chaser !!!!! some kind are coming back every year at the same place !!!
My 60c is still going strong. Not sure when I'll ever upgrade. These units last for years and years!
these newer units are not user friendly. The 60 series are superior in usability.
I am volunteering for a nonprofit that is looking to collect geospatial data for their trail system on a budget. The extra precision of this device seem like a good fit for this use case (as you suggested in a comment on one of your other great videos)
Thank you very much for your honest review on this one.
This might be the unit for me. I got an old Magellan Triton unit witch as seen better days, It's tired now:) so I'm in the market for a new handheld unit like this one.
People around me say I should just download an app for my smartphone and use that instead, but I don't like that. I need to have something robust that does't brake when you drop it on the ground when your in the forest. I'm using it to locate borders between land owners, mostly in the forest, so accuracy is important to me. Is this my best go or should I consider other units for my purpose?
Cheers from Sweden!
This is still a great unit. If you are okay with an internal battery, the 67 performs better (at a cost).
@@Hikingguy Ok, I'll have a look at that one too. Thanks for your reply.
The added accuracy might help when hunting for tracking purposes. Being able to see exactly where you have already searched on a grid is a nice advantage.
Thanks for the review and glad to see you have some urban canyon testing too on your site where the multi-band will really make the difference, the stated "accuracy" is just the theoretical accuracy based on the PDOP (geometry of the satellites in the fix) so doesn't really mean much, case in point, you can have multipath signal in there and a single band GPS won't know any better.
These new multi-band systems sort of make me want to get another handheld unit like in the "old days" (started with a Magellan 315 when SA was turned off in 2000 and ended with an Oregon 400 via the GMap 60/60s, eTrex, etc...) but since 2010 I've switched to Locus on Android smartphones, it's just so much easier (route creation, track recording, streamed maps, etc...) vs the good old clumsy Garmin interface. Mind you I don't do extreme hiking where a handheld unit would be a must.
Thanks for the review. I have a Garmin GPSMAP 64S that I use when I place a blood track for my dog in the forest. In practice, this means that I want my device to know exactly where the track was laid. Because of the trees, it is not easy for my device to have contact with the satellites.
Anyways - my question is if you have done any tests comparing the 64S to the 65S - accuracy wise in a forest?
I have not but I'd guess that the 65s will be more consistent given it has more signals to choose from.
Thanks, great help. 👍 will be my go to in the back country with compass system. Like the battery system. I cross state lines in some areas and get close to the boarder between US and Canada. Its nice to know when you getting close. Does it take an SD card?JMHO
yup 32 GB max microSD
I will use your affiliate link to Amazon when I shop from now on. SUBSCRIBED!
Thank you!!!!
Great video. I'd be using the unit to install equipment facing a specific azmuth. How much extra accuracy could be obtained with the digital conpass?
You have to be moving with the non-digital compass on these units. It calculates the heading by evaluating two track points. So if you want to get a heading at a stationary position, the digital compass is the way to go. You might also want to inviest in a proper compass that doesn't need to be calibrated like a digital compass does.
Great video I must say! I was wondering if switching on Demo Mode will actually significantly increase battery life, but you still be able to use compass, etc. ?
I believe demo mode shuts off the GPS entirely
Hi, are you in favor of putting on a silicone case on the unit or no? Thank you
I've never had the need and never broke one, but it might improve the grip
Thanks for this review. I monitor rare plants in deep woods. They can be small and difficult to find from year to year, and trampling is a risk from too much searching. So a more precise GPS might be very useful.
A battery contact in my 60CSx corroded away today, so I will be removing the AA batteries of my 65s whenever not in use if I splurge for one. You should probably mention that as a durability issue of models that accept AA batteries. Another thing I'd like to know is how long I have to wait for the 65s to get 6 ft. accuracy. The 60CSx uses averaging to improve accuracy, and that, and its character entry system is a PITA. Can the bluetooth on the 65s receive text input for waypoints from an iPhone?
I tried using my 60CSx as a road GPS in Costa Rica, using a dataset I bought from a Costa Rica source. The maps were fine, but that GPS lead us off the main route every time, down a private driveway, and then the 60CSx crashed. Have you tried road navigation with the 65s in Costa Rica or any other country without street signs?
I also like to sail, and had no luck interfacing the external data port on my 65CSx with my Raymarine ST1000 autohelm using Seatalk or NMEA. It's supposed to enable tracking to a line rather than a point. Can I expect better success from the 65s?
Great video and love learning all this stuff. I'm trying to figure out which Garmin GPSMAP model to go for. I haven't had one before but would enjoy having one of these on my hike in the UK. I know I'm a novice but at the same time, I know these are expensive pieces of kit. However, on the other hand, I don't want to choose the wrong one.
To me, it's all a little confusing with all these different models
Yea, I understand, there are a lot of options. If you just need something basic thats built for the outdoors and you want to save money, try the eTrex 22x > amzn.to/3aWJNHg - that will have everything you need in a package that you can get wet, drop, etc.
Thanks Mate will get one fot my next hiking season. For SOTA cheers vk5cz..
Thanks from Downunder (Australia). Like your channel. I'm in the market for a new handheld set. Do lots of horseback riding on outback trails. I was born too early to be computer savvy; so simple and easy to work set required. Please - which Garmin system do you recommend for my application; should have Topo maps (Aus/NZ)
This model (the 65s) will work great for you
@@Hikingguy Thanks greatly appreciate.
Does this device have Canada and U.S maps preinstalled on it?.... great Video
yup!
Will this unit be a good fit for Horseback riding in the back country?
I have access to an older Garmin 60CSx.
What is the difference?
I'm a newbie to GPS technology.
Thank you very much! 💕
This is basically the same thing as the 60 but more accurate / reliable and probably a little quicker. If you have a 60 and it works okay for you, probably not a need to upgrade. But if it's showing its age, the 65s is a great upgrade.
Thanks for the information
My pleasure 👍
Does it has a Topo map in it, or has to be bought separate?
Used your link to buy one. Thanks for all the good info.
Thank you! 🙏
Enjoyed your GPSMap 66sr review, very useful. Have you tested it or the GPSMap 65s under dense forest canopy at all? I do a lot of mapping in the Pacific Northwest in forests and wondered if the MultiBand feature would be more accurate, as it should be. Currently I use a Garmin Oregon 700 and my iphone 12 Pro with the Gaiagps app.
It worked great during about 16 hours of hiking in Hoh rainforest and prob 20 hours in dense pine here in SoCal when I had it. I didn't do an in depth comparison of my time in canopy vs not - but nothing odd jumped out. It all looked solid.
Thank you very much❤
I'm looking to by a handheld gps for a trekking trip in Asia and Africa (incl. EBC trek and Kilimanjaro). Would this work for these treks?
yup
Thanks. I was at a geochache with one-side hills. So the iphone gps was unable to locate with 10 meter precision on a place every meter climbing was risky.
hi, thanks for your comments on GPSMAP 65s.
I am particularly interested in the aspect you investigate in the first minutes of the video (satellite reception).
I would buy an unit for trekking and outdoor adventures.
but I'm not sure which one is best for me (trying to save the possible $$)
what I see in the features is that between the 65s and the 64sx the important thing that changes is the additional support of the 65s QZSS satellite system compared to the 64sx which only has GPS, GLONASS and GALILEO.
do you think the QZSS is worth the roughly $ 85 price difference? because otherwise they are very similar in characteristics.
Thank you!
This might help you decide > hikingguy.com/how-to-hike/how-does-gps-work-gps-for-dummies/ - if you're trying to save money and don't care about 6ft of accuracy versus 16 feet then just go with the 64, it's a great unit.
Great informative video. Now 2 years later I’m thinking about getting the 66s. Do you know if it’s basically the same but newer? My old yellow eTrex is about DONE! Lol
66s has internal battery / a bit bigger - this is smaller & AA
Great video. If you record a route can you, or someone else, with this gps follow it again, even if the trail is not listed?
Yup, you just save the track as a GPX and you can share it with anyone else who has a GPS
Nice video! Can you tell me if you can select two small data fields to display on the map screen like on the MAP 62 or 64 units? I just returned a MAP66 because it does not allow this customization and allows 4 small data fields not 2 small data fields. We use for geocaching and having only two small data fields allows for more map viewing real estate. Don't care about the dashboards. Thanks for your detailed review.
Did you ever settle on a gps for geocaching that you like after your return of the 66?
Great unit...
Can you help me out by showing me your personal trip computer data fields? I’m new to the gpsmap 65s and it’s a little overwhelming on all the options.
I generally have distance, timer, elevation, and total ascent as a base, and then things like time of day, sunset, etc.
This may seem silly to ask but anyways.. I’m a deer hunter mainly and the only hiking I do is when I’m scouting for deer sign and where to hunt. I’m tossed between the 65s, 66sr and the new Etrex SE. I love the birdseye imagery but seems to be a nuisance to have to download areas of it on the 66sr but you can buy the huntview plus sd card for the 65s and not have to worry about downloading areas. Sorry for rambling just need expert advice on this to decide. Also the new Etrex SE seems bare bones and I would definitely consider buying it but it doesn’t come with a sd card slot for extra memory or for me to use the huntview plus card.. so after all of that rambling I just gave what’s your thoughts in my situation?
I'd go with the 66sr, it's a great unit, long battery life, and has a big screen.
Hi can you type in the coordinates with this
Yes
With the more precise accuracy would you suggest this for Geocaching ? Or is it over kill ? If so which unit would you suggest ? I still like to hike and camp but not a lot of extreme backwoods ..yet.
If you already have a good GPS for geocaching, I'd stick with that. But if you're in the market for a new one, I'd go with this since the accuracy would prob help a bit.
Thank you
Thanks for great review. Is it possible to import directly gpx route from garmin connect to gpsmap 65s or it needs the garmin explorer? Also, when you finish an activity can it sync with garmin connect? or not?
You need to go from Explore > 66sr - but when you save an activity it will sync back to Garmin Connect (and Explore). I know, it's confusing and not the greatest setup... hopefully it gets a little more intuitive in the future.
If the weather is too bad or you are in a area that signals are weak, does it differ from other GPS in receiving signal?
Yes, it can receive the (overall better) new bands which have a better effective signal. This will be helpful > hikingguy.com/how-to-hike/how-does-gps-work-gps-for-dummies/
good review
Do you have any recommendation or advice about buying the Garmin TOPO US 24 series either as a download or MicroSD? (I had an old 60CSx - which I loved till the buttons malfunctioned and currently own an Oregon 600. The DVD based Garmin maps I had for those are not compatible with the 65s.) Thanks!
I'd try free OSM maps first and see if they work for you. If not, drop the $ on the Topo24
Is it possible to use it as a external GPS-baro module for smartphone Nav Apps? (just like the Garmin GLO2, that would be awesome if it had baro).
It works with the Explore map as an external, but didn't work as an external for me on GaiaGPS.
how does one go to battery strength page?
There’s quite a few people who care about as much accuracy as possible in a unit and the tinier 6 foot bubble while hiking is great. Makes a huge difference when retracing trails and if I decide to map them as well.
I create trail guides and detailed GPX files (hundreds on my channel) and for me 3 feet doesn't seem to make a huge difference when in the field and trying to decide where the trail is or isn't.
You think you can do a review on the Garmin Gpsmap 64x ?
I wish Garmin would send me units to test (and then I send back), but I have to pay for everything out of my pocket, and unfortunately now I just am not able to get a 64x...
I think it might be time to upgrade from my Oregon 450, to the 65s....? Good idea? The 65s price has dropped.
Yea 65s is a great unit
When do you think garmin will offer multi-band-gnss + inreach in the same package? Are there alternatives to garmin? Thanks!
So InReach (Iridium) and GLONASS are really close in frequency, so that's why you don't see them together. I think transmitted InReach from a unit would fry / overwhelm the GNSS receiver. The 66i can actually receive GLONASS but it's turned off in the firmware (confirmed from Garmin tech). So I guess until they can solve that problem, no dice. And in terms of alternatives to Garmin, you can get a rugged smartphone + big battery, but you still have the problems with touchscreens in the rain.
@@Hikingguy Thank you. Do you think a GPSMAP 66sr, say, should be turned off before using an inReach Mini, if someone is carrying both?
@@patricknash9575 no I think it's only when the chips are right next to each other
I want to transfer kmz files(map)to garmin internal memory.if i buy type c to mini usb cable or adaptor do you think that will work?with windows emulator on my android phone?will android read internal memory because over there in a special folder i want to transfer kmz files. I want to do that without computer.also i want to say that kmz files inside memory card garmin can not read them.thank you.
Can you charge rechargable batteries without taking the batteries out from the Garmin 65s?
You can, but they have to be the Garmin ones (as far as I know) - haven't tried charging 3rd party batteries in there - amzn.to/3zLvPCh
You can, but there is a little switch in the center of the battery compartment which must be depressed to enable the charging mode. Just add something suitable below the batteries (cardboard, folded paper, plastic scrap etc.), that will do the job. Garmin also sells a battery pack which includes this plastic strip, but that’s a waste of money because there are better batteries on the market.
Hi, can I get software updates with this gps through Garmin connect wirelessly?
It happens when it's connected to WiFi. I just connect it to my home WiFi and it does map and firmware updates when in range.
@@Hikingguy Awesome! I didn’t know the 65s had WiFi. Had to return the 66sr because of constant shut downs and battery charging issues.
@@hollernathan I mesed up and answered that before I drank coffee, IT DOES NOT HAVE WIFI, you have to update using Garmin Express. Thought I was on the 66 video... sorry about that... sorry to hear about the 66sr - usually the first firmware releases from Garmin are bad, they shouldn't be, but they are, but I noticed the 66sr has had some firmware updates lately, including some addressing power-off issues > www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=15447
When changing batteries do you lose info, and have to reset
It's all saved on the device memory, so changing batteries doesn't erase anything.
I believe the only thing you have to do is recalibrate the compass.
Should i get the 65s or the 64sx for hiking?
I'd say the 65s is a better unit, but the 64sx is prob cheaper and still does a decent job.
Well done.
Does the 64sx have the birds eye imagery setting?
great review - thanks for your efforts! I will use your links when I'm ready to buy. I am just looking for a reliable unit that I can use while hiking, hunting and fishing (Shore, lake, river and inland). I would like Cookie crumbs and trail maps but I'm still not sure which unit to get. I'll take a further look at your guides and see if I can find a suitable unit. thanks again - very useful information.
Thank you, glad the guides were helpful. If you want to just get something decent and affordable, the GPSMAP 64 units are still great and often on sale. If I was buying one new and wanted the accuracy, this 65s is about as good as you can get without a professional instrument
@@Hikingguy thanks! I appreciate the advice!
@@Hikingguy Just an FYI - got the 64sx through your amazon link and so far so good. I had a little trouble understanding how to use the compass and tried using Garmin support. What a waste of time. Just an FYI the support chat tech said the compass didn't need calibration since it was calibrated at the factory and I shouldn't recalibrate it. Garmin sent a support survey and that was almost as bad as the support I got. Just a smiley face or sad face. One other time I called (or had them call me) and this the support was great - accurate, friendly and very informative. A great experience. I guess support is dependent on who you get. It made me feel a lot better about Garmin in general. All in all a good product and great advice from you.- thanks again.
@@senseidadproductions Nice, glad it all worked out, and yea, the support can be hit or miss. If I get a bad response I usually call back until I get someone good. You can also email them at: product.support@garmin.com
Is it possible to use Google maps images on this device? Or to use it combined with a smartphone and Google maps app or similar?
Unfortunately no to both
does this come with some SOS functionality?
Nope, you'll need a 66i or similar
Hi, Thx. for your reviews , I have the 66S, and mainly for getting waypoints. Looking at the Average Waypoint function, it says, in the manual, to wait 90 Minutes between samples !. Can this be true from your experience ?
I looked into the accuracy a while ago and I think for most folks, just doing the immediate averaging is okay. If it's critical to get max accuracy, they say wait 90 mins so that different satellites are above, and you can get a different fix. This article is interesting > www.seahorsecorral.org/gps-study.html - I'd say if you need high precision, you might be better off with a surveying unit like this guy - bad-elf.com/pages/flex
I am using it to map plants in a botanical garden and the 6 feet is more important than a unit that only gets me to 8 feet
You'd probably be best served by a RTK GNSS like Trimble which will give you centimeter level precision
Have you ever had problems with this unit like: bugs/resets? I tested Etrex32x and I had a lot of bugs when I checked the map (unit resets itself).
Unfortunately when new Garmin units come out these days they're more buggy than they should be, but Garmin is good at updating the firmware and even improving the feature set. I've used the eTrex 32x and didn't experience the resetting, so not sure what that is, but I'd just say make sure the firmware is up to date. Otherwise might be a hardware issue.
Would this be a good unit for Appalachian trail ?
Yup, it would work great for the AT, but you might want to consider just using your phone with Guthook, which a lot of folks do successfully.
Would you recommend this gps verses other options? Obviously this one uses the many different satellite systems. But I'm not looking for EXACT accuracy. What about the older garmin gps's? I want simething with a good map, that let's me put a pin where I start, and tells me where I am. Any suggestions?
Most GPS units will get you within 16 feet in most situations. So unless you're hiking in deep canyons all the time, just get one that's cheap and works for you. If you can afford this one, it's probably going to perform the best for you. Otherwise you can probably get a 64 on sale which is still a solid unit.
@@Hikingguy thanks for the info. Think I am going to get this one though. It is expensive, but I does seem like a nice buy. Is the top map it comes with any good?
@@Thecaptain1898 Yup, the loaded maps are good and you can also put free OSM maps on it too for another option - see the guide on my site
@@Hikingguy hey thanks for the info! Didn't one of your videos say buying thru a link will supported you?
@@Thecaptain1898 yup just use the links in the description of the video and I get a small commission, thank you! 🙏
Ciao,mi dai una informazione? Io ho un gpsmap 62, il 65 ha lo stesso processore o è più veloce? Grazie
Hi buddy I’ve just bought a Garmin rhino 750 and wanting to add maps of Australia not sure which to add topo vs birdseye.
I don't have a Rino so not sure, but the Topo should give you all you need to know
Hopefully someone will see this question! I know it's ben a few years since this video was posted. Can I add Gaia maps to this device? If I added an external SD card, can I ad either Gaia of Trailforks maps?
Nope, you can only use Gaia or Trailforks on their apps
I figured as much, thank you!@@Hikingguy
how this compare to 64 models in terms of accuracy etc and does this mirrors screen to let say your smartphone or tablet? is there any option for rechargeable lion or lipo batteries for this (adapter or whatever)?
More accurate than 64
No screen mirror
You can get rechargeable batteries - please see the article
At 16:30 the arrow is pointing to the left 9 o'clock position but your walking in the 12:00 position. This doesn't make any sense. Why are you not walking in the direction of the arrow???
Would this be okay to use as a gps for car road trips?
You can get a Citynavigator map chip but there are def much better options (like a phone)
Does this model come loaded with U.S. Topo or any maps at all?
Yes
Hi, can I export a planned route from the Gaia gps app to the Garmin explore app? Thank you
Yes just export as GPX from Gaia and then import the GPX to Garmin Explore
Looks exactly similar to 64s. Wonder what's the reason to upgrade to this?
multi-band
Glad you differentiated GNSS from multi band most people don't have a clue when they review units good job and don't forget the L5 constellation is not a complete one yet
Thank you! And yes, it's always a balance on these videos to keep it insightful yet understandable by most folks.
Can you not use the wifi to text a message for help from your phone. Can I use my phone through this system to look at my maps.see I ride off road motorcycle so I could have gps on me for safety and have my phone on the bike and it would be easier to see the maps. Thanks.
You can get phone notifications but you can't text through the 65s. It works as a GPS "remote" if you use the Garmin Explore app, so you could look at the phone if they were connected with Bluetooth.
Can i use the 24K chip of the Western U,S. from my Map 64 in this unit?
Yes you can use 24k Garmin cards or load via software on the computer
you know how the 65 has the odd bug, should i just get the 64 with less precision
which bug? I'd get a 65s unless you're trying to save some cash, in which case the 64 is still a solid choice.
@@Hikingguy this bug /That said, I am curious if you have added any custom maps yet? I currently have a ticket open with garmin because it seems the 65s does not give an option to disable maps in the custom maps folder. This is a pretty big issue and is definitely different than the 64 series.
@@frankgordonsmith4795 Ah, yea, the map toggle, no I don't think it's been fixed yet but I can't imagine that it wouldn't be addressed by the next firmware update. The 66i had some pretty bad bugs when it first came out and now it's rock solid. I'd say if you can deal with not having it for the next couple of months, my bet would be that it's going to be addressed. You can see the firmware updates for the 65 here: www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=15515
Hi its me again 🙄...
I now have the 65s but I am struggling.... Imagine I want to walk seven days in a row and record each day separately... Then upload the data to a map on my phone and be able to view the distance, time and all stats etc....
How?!... I though this would be simple but I am lost
I will. Eventually need this for a trek that lasts over 4 years and I'll be living outdoors the whole time so being able to transfer data on a daily basis to a phone was an absaloute essential 😔
At the end of your day, go to Track Manager > Current Track, then save it. Sync with the Garmin Explore app to transfer the tracks to your computer. I would walk through the manual > www8.garmin.com/manuals/webhelp/GUID-EA40F185-39D1-4C3B-B512-7AA823FA3DB5/EN-US/GUID-01F384A4-5DA3-4822-8101-647111F7F516-homepage.html
@@HikingguyI think I have it figured out but I seem to get more information going to the explore website than the app... But I can't say I'm impressed with any of it so far but maybe I'm missing something... Just doesn't seem to be a lot of statistics for the saved route
And really not a user friendly experience
Does anyone know if this GPS can send and receive text messages while beyond cellular range like the InReach does?
No this is just a GPS, not an inReach
How long does the battery last when recording your hike to later upload to the Garmin app?
Another question if I may... What would you recommend for primarily and accurately recording hikes.. Navigation not needed but accurate recording is... I would need to upload the data to a phone in some way and then represent the data on a map for others to view along with other data such a terrain and ascents etc ..
I'm going to be hiking for many years on a fundraiser and recording it is essential for me so appreciate your help
If you want the most accurate unit get this or the GPSMAP 66sr, or another unit with multi-GNSS and multi-band.
@@Hikingguy thank you again.... This will be my second attempt as the first attempt failed to raise adaquate funds for charities
... It still. Reached approximately £7,000 but this was over nearly three years of trekking And simultaneously living outdoors which was great sacrifice to my health and mind etc... This second attempt will hopefully be much more successful and recording the data is really important to me... And likely come in useful to others in the future... The 65s seems the best for my budget and again thanks for the help 😊
@@AUTUMN-DARK good luck with everything and enjoy the 65s!
All you need is the Garmin watch like the Instinct. It will connect to Garmin Connect app on phone which can send it to Strava. Strava can correct your gps elevation data to topographic data. And, it keeps long term map and data you can share. It touches all your bases. Accuracy is within a few feet on anything out there, and quite adequate. None are truly at 2 meters, and it's irrelevant.
Great job. Do you know anyplace on the web where you can get cool secret not so known gps coordinates? So I can load into gpsmap 66sr and explore? Thank you
Thank you - and maybe check out geocaching.com?
What button are you pressing with "hit go"?
@@Hikingguy Really? I have the 65, i see the button and if will move the cursor on it, it disapears...
@@bertalandozsa6670 It should be selected by default (green) so you don't need to move the cursor, just hit enter
Thanks for the review, I think you have one of the first on youtube for the 65s. I bought this a few weeks ago and agree on it's accuracy, it's very good. That said, I am curious if you have added any custom maps yet? I currently have a ticket open with garmin because it seems the 65s does not give an option to disable maps in the custom maps folder. This is a pretty big issue and is definitely different than the 64 series.
Have you tried adding custom .kmz's on the 65s and disabling them? I cannot disable them on mine and I think it is a bug on garmin's part? Let me know your thoughts.
Just checked, having the same issue and emailed Garmin support. Good catch. Yea, I loaded mine in and saw it, but didn't try to disable it at all. It's kind of mind boggling that something like this gets through when the operating system has been basically the same for the last 8 years or so. Thanks for the callout and fingers crossed that the next firmware will address...
@@Hikingguy thanks for checking on that. My ticket has kind of stalled out but hopefully yours will get some traction. ...I've been watching some of your other vids and really enjoy them.
@@ebswv8 Thank you and yea, fingers crossed on the support ticket. My guess is that there will be a firmware update in the next month or two. Usually they don't leave a unit on the initial release firmware too long.