Expert opinion

A clear test winner and a conclusion


Expert opinion


In terms of power consumption, our test winner is the other extreme: the Garmin GPSMap 62st runs with batteries over 11 hours, with lithium cells over 19 and without lighting almost 40 hours. The last value is important because the 62st is by far the best display of all test devices. Even in the sun, the cards are perfectly recognizable.


Info: Alternative smartphone?


In addition, the new 62-Garmin glitters with a wide range of topographic maps, which, however, are usually expensive. However, on Garmin devices the already mentioned free OSM cards can be played.


This is not only very easy, they are also available with different application areas such as mountain biking, hiking, horse riding and other activities - all free of charge and legally from the Internet.
is also very impressive

This is by no means antiquated, even if the device with buttons and protruding antenna seems a bit old-fashioned. If you are skiing or in the cooler season often with gloves on the bike is on the road, appreciate it. The only drawback of the tested Garmin GPS is the comparatively small display. With 2.6 inch size it is the smallest of all test models.


The other properties were also positive in our test. In addition, the device without cards with 350 euros is the most favorable. If you are content with the Gratiskarten from the Internet, you even buy a bargain at the same time.


"This should be a current device?", One could at the very first glance to the model GPSMap 62st of Garmin question. Because with the relatively small display, the buttons and the protruding antenna, it reminds a little of devices from a past GPS era. But these externalities can not hide the intrinsic values, especially the superior display and the extremely long battery life.


In addition, the operation is exemplary, once you get used to the buttons: Somewhere I had learned that the device does not react to the iPhone finger strokes over the display. With this device, both the touchscreen devices of the same manufacturer as the Oregon model as well as the devices of the competition fall significantly.


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Smartphones such as the iPhone or Android-based devices are also suitable for orientation outside thanks to an integrated GPS chip and numerous apps including maps. Compared to a pure-bodied outdoor GPS, however, there are two serious drawbacks. On the one hand, the integrated battery of the mobile phones is quickly empty when the GPS is running and can not even be exchanged on the iPhone.


Android Tablets


Secondly, the smartphones are not so robust, are neither waterproof nor suitable for long-term use in rough terrain. This is a pity, because Internet-based services such as Komoot (www.komoot.de) or Naviki (www.naviki.org), which offer an outdoor and bicycle navigation, can hardly be used.