Top 10 Best GPS For Geocaching [2022 Review And Buying Guide]

Geocaching is an inexpensive and fun activity that is considered by families and friends due to its adventurous nature. It's an activity that tests your navigational skills as you often need to go hunting for hidden treasures. Geocaching does not center on the treasure that’s to be discovered but the means through which you find the treasure. 

Simply put, Geocaching is a treasure hunt that involves individuals searching for hidden treasures with the aid of the best GPS for geocaching. If they find these treasures, they do not keep them but rather replace them with other treasures that are either equal or higher in value.

Usually practiced on an eco-friendly site, Geocachers get to set out with various tools that’’’ aid their course. The caches are then hidden in various strategic locations inside a weatherproof box. Some hints that might guide the geocachers are then posted online for them to follow.

Why should you choose the best GPS for geocaching?

This device is neither the most expensive nor the flashiest. It is one that serves the purpose of navigation with ease. In essence, they are the ones that bring all your adventurous dreams to reality. Furthermore, the best geocaching device is quite easy and convenient to use.

The best GPS does not only guarantee ease of use, but it also brings efficiency to the table. It also packs so much in terms of extensive battery life as well as data accuracy. It is also very sturdy with a high level of sensitivity when being used on the Geocaching field. 

It’s always important that the geocaching instrument can serve the purpose. It should be able to carry out any operation easily.

10 Top Rated GPS For Geocaching Product Reviews

1. Garmin GPSMAP 64st - Editor's Pick

Garmin GPSMAP 64st is on the top of our list. This GPS is one of the best when it comes to high-sensitivity. Many geocachers widely prefer it due to its high durability and sturdy nature. The fact that it also packs so many exciting features also makes it stand out from the crowd. 

The Garmin GPSMAP 64st has a built-in 3-way tilt enhanced electronic compass that shows you your current location and well as the direction where you’re heading. It’s also useful for mountain hikers as it has an inbuilt barometer that helps you follow the changing weather trend.

2. Oregon 650t

Second on our list it Oregon 650t GPS device, which offers efficiency, functionality as well as ease of use. It has a sunlight-readable 3 inches screen with multi-touch capacity. What’s even more intriguing is the possibility of viewing your maps in both portrait and landscape modes.

The device also makes it quite easy to share geocaches, tracks, and photos through its extremely effective Bluetooth unit. The device also makes it quite seamless to take clear photos through the lenses of its 8 megapixels camera. The camera has an LED light as well as autofocus and digital zoom features.

3. Garmin eTrex 30x

This handheld GPS is one of the best when it comes to positional navigation and geocaching. With an enhanced 3-axis and barometric compass, there’s so much to get from this device in terms of precision. It also has big memory storage that lets you store all of your data and caches.

The sturdy and rugged nature of this device also makes it an exciting choice of GPS. It functions well in any environment, whether it’s air, land, or sea. It has a waterproof feature that makes it work effortlessly underwater.

4. Garmin eTrex 10 (Worldwide)

This device is very sophisticated and highly-sensitive that makes it possible to communicate and share stuff with others on social media.

The Garmin eTrex device also has a big screen that makes it possible for one to navigate and view maps on a clear monochrome screen. This device simply makes it possible to have the earth’s navigation system on your palms through the preloaded maps.

5. Garmin Montana 680t

This is one of the most feature-rich GPS units in the market at the moment. The Garmin Montana 680t is quite impressive with its bold look and pinpoint precision. It picks up a signal in almost any condition it is subjected to, and the accuracy of the GPS is mind-blowing.

The Garmin Montana 680t GPS also has an impressive 8-megapixel camera for capturing all of the special moments while geocaching. It also has a 4 GB internal memory as well as an expandable SD card slot that aids in storing images that you have captured.

6. Garmin Foretrex 401 waterproof hiking

This GPS device is built for optimal comfort and easy mobility. The lightweight and ergonomic design ensure it's efficient for outdoor hiking trips. It has very high sensitivity, and this makes it suitable for even the most remote areas.

What's more intriguing about this device is the fact that it has 5 dedicated buttons that guide the user through navigation. It also has a barometric altimeter as well as an electronic compass that goes a long way in enhancing its precision.

7. Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro

This device is a must-have for anyone out on an adventure. It’s a handheld device that performs the role of datalogger and receiver as it's built to connect with other devices like the iPhone and iPad. This device is waterproof, which makes it suitable for underwater geocaching.

A lightweight device with a large LCD screen is what you’ll get when you get the Bad elf 2200 GPS pro. The screen is segmented, and each segment displays a measure of speed, location, altitude as well as GPS lock position. You can always lock your coordinates with a single click of a button at the beginning of your adventure, and the log is transferable to your other devices at the end of the whole trip.

8. Garmin Oregon 700 handheld GPS

This is a very high sensitivity GPS that guarantees great precision and accurate navigation with its offer of GLONASS satellite reception. It also has a barometric altimeter as well as a three-axis compass that helps you determine the most suitable route to take while going on your geocaching adventure.

The Oregon 700 also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features that help you connect with other devices. This feature also makes it possible to download software updates and even upload all of your photos from the adventure.

9. Garmin Foretrex 701

The Garmin Foretrex 701 device is a wrist-mounted GPS that is inbuilt with ballistics computer preloaded in it. It's pretty impressive in terms of features and overall performance as it can customize loads, create multiple profiles, and even take the environmental condition data into its database. 

This device is quite sturdy and durable as it’s built to conform to military standards. It becomes more impressive when you realize it has a 3-axis accelerometer and compass, as well as a barometric altimeter. It conveniently calculates aiming solutions for long-range shooting.

10. Garmin Epix with US T.O.P.O

The Epix is a wrist-based mapping device that packs a variety of exciting features. Weighing about 85g, this device has a military styling that makes it unique. It also has a crystal clear 1.4 inches colored display that brings everything to life. The device is also quite sturdy in build, which makes it extremely good for most conditions. One intriguing feature of the gadget is the preloaded TOPO 100k maps.

Buying Guide

The best geocaching gps come in different shapes and sizes. Also, their functions and capabilities vary in so many ways. Getting one is quite important as it goes a long way in determining how successful your treasure hunt is.

Geocaching GPS devices have massive differences when it comes to precision and accuracy. It is also important to note that while some of them offer geocaching support connectivity and sharing, others don’t. This buying guide will help you to know what to consider when shopping for the best navigator for your next adventure.

1) Screen brightness and readability

For an outdoor activity like geocaching, it’s important to prioritize the brightness level of any GPS device you plan to buy. Often, the adventurous nature of this activity would require you to hunt for treasures in certain locations, and you will need to check coordinates and map locations under the direct rays of the sunlight.

A good device with optimal brightness and readability will ensure you get all of the necessary map details without having to strain your eyes.

2) Map Type

There are two map options used on a GPS device for geocaching; either it’s preloaded or added later. The preloaded geocaching GPS devices have 100k maps that have been installed by the manufacturer. On the other hand, you can decide to upload your downloaded maps form your personal computer. The latter option enables you to use maps that you can easily read.

3) Display Size

The display size on a GPS device is an important factor to consider. For an activity as tasking as hiking and biking, a big display size will enable you to view the necessary information at a glance. However, adventurous activities such as geocaching might not necessarily require a big display size due to continuous changing of location; a small to medium size display should work just fine.

4) Screen Input Type

Like most Smartphones, geocaching GPS devices have started to migrate from the orthodox button input system to the touchscreen input system. These touchscreen geocaching GPS devices are more intuitive and adaptive when being used to navigate a map. Furthermore, touchscreen types offer flexibility as you get to view your maps in either landscape or portrait modes. 

However, some devices still retain the button input type because there seems to be a drawback in regards to touchscreen technology. Some of these drawbacks include the inconsistency of some touchscreen devices in harsh weather conditions. Also, people on gloves find it difficult to operate these touchscreen devices due to its low screen sensitivity.

Away from all the setbacks the touchscreen models might be experiencing, there is a general belief that both display types work perfectly well depending on the conditions. For instance, models with buttons will be quite effective in harsh weather conditions where the user might need to put gloves on while touchscreen devices will do well in situations where there’ll be a constant need for onscreen navigation.

5) Battery Life

For a long while, AA-type batteries have been in use when it comes to geocaching GPS devices. The batteries are cheap, and one can easily replace them when they get drained. However, the use of these AA-type batteries means geocachers have to fill their bags with extra pairs as a backup so that they don’t run out of juice at any time. 

Nowadays, manufacturers of these geocaching devices have resorted to rechargeable battery packs as a viable alternative. These rechargeable packs guarantee a longer duration of usage while on the move, and there's also the option of solar charging when the battery runs low. Nevertheless, AA-type batteries are still in use in several geocaching GPS devices, and the choice of the battery pack to use on your geocaching adventure should greatly influence your final pick.

6) Weight and Dimension

You’ll agree with the opinion that the weight of your GPS device greatly influences the outcome of your adventure. Usually, the screen size of a GPS device is a determinant of the weight and dimension of the device. You must go for a GPS device that is relatively light but still retains its readability. However, the weight might not be significant if you’re looking to mount your GPS device on a vehicle or bike.

7) GPS Receiver Type

Gone are the days when geocaching GPS devices could only connect to GPS satellites for data; the technology has improved drastically. Most of them now connect to the GLONASS satellite system, and this has enhanced the overall performance of these devices in extreme conditions. 

GLONASS is a Russia-based technology that has combined with the GPS network to improve the performance of receivers on these devices greatly. Furthermore, most of the best geocaching GPS devices have a WAAS-enabled receiver that tremendously improves their precision and tracking accuracy. WAAS, which is the abbreviation for Wide Angle Augmentation System, was developed to nullify possible shortfalls in GPS tracking. When both of these features (GLONASS and WAAS) are turned on, the GPS device becomes fully enhanced, and the tracking accuracy is greatly improved.

8) Barometric altimeter and 3-axis compass

While this feature is listed on most top rated geocaching GPS devices, some devices do not still have the feature. The 3-axis compass allows you to read direction irrespective of how the compass is placed. Most orthodox compasses require the bearer to hold the compass in the horizontal direction to get an accurate reading.

The barometric altimeter is also ideal for geocaching activities that might involve heights. It updates you on barometric pressure as you ascend to higher elevations. It's essential to have this feature on your GPS device as it greatly enhances your chances of having a successful outing.