10 Best Kayak GPS To Buy In 2024

Which Waterproof GPS Should You Get?

Exploring through kayaking is an appreciable way to experience nature, however, the thrill from exploring could be abruptly stopped at the sight and realization of an unknown environment.

Kayaking allows you to spread your wings and fly, however, chances are your journey through ecstasy could be cut short when you sail beyond normal and lose track of your location. Kayaking GPS guarantees that you find your way out of the water.

Kayaking GPS offers more than your smartphone ever would, as there could be a deficient cellphone tower in the water. Kayaking is a fun activity involving movement through the water in a kayak with the help of a double-bladed paddle.

It is a fun-filled activity, the thoughts of several bays, coastlines, islands, and crossing to be explored could be overwhelming. It is very easy to lose sight of where you are and be confused about how to go back.

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite navigating system used to determine the position of an object. Kayaking revolves around exploring nature, it involves moving through the water with the aid of a kayak.

A kayak is a narrow canoe like a boat, the paddlers sit facing forward, legs outward, and make use of a double-bladed paddle. Kayaking is associated with several risks which are minimized by the use of GPS tracking on kayaks

What Is The Importance Of A Kayaking GPS?

Evaluating paddling: A GPS helps you realize your regular paddling pace and the effect of several climatic factors on your journey. The type of paddle used and paddling techniques are also noted. This helps you understand yourself and your paddling and also helps you with decision-making when on the water with or without your GPS.

Trip Planning: Your GPS helps you manually enter waypoints for your proposed destination. This is important when you get lost in a fog and lose sight of your location, the GPS helps to tell the interval to the next waypoint and gives off an estimated time per your present speed.

Chart Coordination: When in doubt of your current location, a GPS becomes invaluable in helping you attest to your position on the chart through the use of a map display or latitude and longitude check.

Indicating Waypoint: Special sites to be remembered during kayaking can be marked. It would help you find your way back to those spots whenever you pass through that route.

Data on speed and distance: GPS provides you with invaluable information such as the speed you are currently paddling, and the moving average which provides data on your kayak’s subsequent speed over time excluding stops and trips odometer since you last reset your GPS.

This data are valuable as unforeseen circumstances such as current or headwind could affect your estimated time of arrival to your destination, it helps you note your challenges and profound a solution to them.

Things To Look Out For When Getting A Kayaking GPS

The importance of a GPS during kayaking can never be overemphasized, it is therefore important that adequate measures are considered before purchasing a GPS. These conditions include:

GPS type: There are 4 major types of GPS known, the STANDALONE GPS, also known as the chart plotter shows nautical chart data and navigates large terrain.

The standalone GPS also possesses the fish-finding attribute through GPS and sonar. The FIXED MOUNT GPS has a large screen and is placed permanently on your kayak. The PORTABLE GPS is a very flexible system that can both be mounted and held. 

Finally, the HANDHELD GPS is a closely packed device that fits firmly in the hand and is very easy to handle, although, it prevents paddling with both hands.

GPS display: GPS devices with a large screen and clear directions are a must when considering your GPS of choice. Thoughts about bright sunlight climate, and backlit GPS with a nice and bright screen to handle such conditions should also be noted.

Furthermore, the zoom function of a GPS device should be checked as it helps you read data on your device better.

Durability and waterproofing feature: Your desired GPS should be tough and able to handle some bangs and bumps since you would be journeying with it on water. It is also essential that your GPS is equipped with features to survive water.

Hence, your desired GPS device should be strong, durable, and with a water-resisting feature of at least IPX7. In conclusion, your kayaking GPS should be strong enough to withstand the change in climate so it can pull through no matter where you find yourself.

Battery and Power Life: Generally, kayaking GPS Devices last for a long while as long as their brightness is reduced to low when not in use. NiMH and AA battery packs have a minimum battery life of about 16 hours, which should cover about three days kayaking journey effortlessly. 

Exploring nature could be magical, however going too far when you venture into the unknown is easy, it is, therefore, safe and advisable for all paddlers to invest in the best kayak GPS.

Our Top Picks For GPS For Kayakers 

1. Garmin eTrex 30x Waterproof GPS

Garmin eTrex 30x is an improved version of the well-known eTrex 30, it has an amplified screen resolution with a better readable display and an enlarged internal memory to give space for more maps.

You can use this when you go on your next fishing trip, don’t hesitate to check out our top 23 picks for the best kayaks under 1000. It is easy to use, affordable, and durable.

The Garmin eTrex 30x is a portable GPS device, that can be placed on your kayak to enable easy paddling, it could also be handheld to facilitate easy usage. It has excellent mapping and mounts to journey you wherever you might want to sojourn.

The Garmin eTrex 30x has a highly sensitive GPS receiver that is WAAS-enabled and has a HotFIX satellite prediction, this helps with the quick and precise location of position it also maintains GPS location at all times.

It is supportive of geocaching GPX files to download data and geocaches to your unit. To geocache your adventure, visit geocaching.com.

Garmin eTrex30x comprises a GPS, GLONASS, and GPS COMPASS. It has a great resolution with 240×320 display pixels for enhanced readability. It is highly sensitive with a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver.

It has a 2.2-inch color display, which gives a vivid and crystal clear image, and a 65k color sunlight-readable display. eTrex 30x has a special feature of storing and displaying important information varying from location, hints, terrain, description, and difficulty.

It has a reliable battery life of 25 hours, it also possesses a micro SD card slot plus an internal memory of 3.7GB.  eTrex 30x is pocket-friendly, durable, and water-friendly. Furthermore, it is wirelessly connected to a variety of compatible Garmin devices such as VIRB® action cameras and ANT+® sensors.

SPECIFICATION

• Physical Dimensions: 2.1 × 4.0 × 1.3 inches
• Display size: 1.4 × 1.7 inches; 2.2 inches diagonal
• Display Resolution: 240 × 320 pixels
• Weight: 5 oz with batteries
• Battery life: 25 hours
• Water rating: IPX7
• Memory: 3.7 GB

Pros

• It has a pocket-friendly price
• It is water resistance
• It is a portable device that gives chances for options to users

2. Garmin Oregon 650t 3 Inches Handheld GPS

Garmin Oregon 650t is a 3-inch sunlight-readable touchscreen display device, it is double-oriented with highly sensitive GPS and GLONASS satellite tracking and preloaded TOPO U.S 1OOK maps. You can count on the device for quality geotagged images that allow easy navigation back to the site where the images were taken during the subsequent journey.

Garmin Oregon 650t works with a dual battery system allowing the option of making use of the internally rechargeable NiMH pack or the conventional AA batteries. Garmin Oregon 650t is manufactured with built-in topographic data for the United States and a worldwide base map.

The map is embodied with details such as the national state, forests, and parks as well as the terrains, rivers, lakes, and other points of interest.

It also has an IN-BUILT ELECTRONIC COMPASS with an accelerometer which shows the direction you are heading, a BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER helps you track pressure change to point out your exact altitude and monitor changes in weather conditions.

It works with a dual bond GPS using standard GPS alongside GLONASS technology. The Garmin Oregon 650t has an excellent add maps feature that works with ease. This device allows.

It also adds satellite images to your TOPO U.S. 24K maps with BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, although a subscription is required to access the BirdsEye Satellite Imagery.

Garmin Oregon 650t is a waterproof system. It is one of the best Garmin GPS used in kayaking. This Garmin system has excellent satellite coverage, with a great screen resolution.

You could trackback your car with its wonderful trackback system. It is lightweight and handy to have. It comes with an additional Bluetooth technology feature, which further allows users to customize maps and share geocache.

As icing on the cake, the Garmin Oregon 650t 3-inch handheld GPS is easy to set up, quick to update, and user-friendly.

SPECIFICATION

• Physical Dimension: 2.4 × 4.5 × 1.3 inches
• Weight: 209.8grams
• Display Resolution: 240 × 400 pixels
• Battery Life: 16 hours
• Water Rating: IPX7
• Memory: 4GB
• Sensors: GPS, GLONASS, BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER, COMPASS, GPS COMPASS
• Camera: 8 megapixel with autofocus

Pros

• It is portable and lightweight
• Its waterproof nature helps you go kayaking without fear
• It makes use of external light to increase brightness and viewing
• Can view data and maps both in landscape and portrait mode

3. Garmin Montana 680t Touchscreen Hiking Handheld GPS

The Garmin Montana 680 is a rugged GPS characterized by a dual-orientation, glove-friendly color touchscreen with a 1-year BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription. It is a handheld device that comprises a barometric altimeter, a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, and access to GLONASS and GPS satellites to give better positioning and a fast fix.

The Garmin Montana 680 comes with a compatible mount designed for use on your kayak. You could make use of the auto mount with City Navigator® NT map which gives turn-by-turn oral directions for your kayak.

It allows the add map feature just by downloading TOPO U.S. 24K maps, you could also include satellite images to your maps with its BirdEye Satellite Imagery (which comes with a 1-year bird’s-eye satellite imagery subscription), a subsequent subscription needs to be made to enjoy this feature.

Garmin Montana 680 allows you to share your route, geocaches, and other data with friends and family using a compatible Garmin GPS wirelessly by simply pressing the send button.

Its 3-axis compensated electronic compass shows you the direction you are heading regardless of whether you are not holding it level or on the move. The barometric altimeter takes note of a change in weather conditions. Garmin Montana keeps key data such as hints, routes, and descriptions automatically.

Garmin Montana 680 is a wonderful GPS that covers almost all terrain during kayaking. It is made of an 8-megapixel autofocus camera. It saves you the worry of removing gloves with its glove-friendly touchscreen display.

Its touchscreen also helps you spend more time exploring and less time searching for information. The Garmin Montana 680 has a dual battery system, allowing you to choose between the traditional AA battery which lasts for about 22 hours, or the rechargeable lithium-ion pack which lasts up to 16 hours.

SPECIFICATION

• Physical Dimensions: 2.9 × 5.7 × 1.4 inches
• Touchscreen: present
• Display Resolution: 272 × 480 pixels
• Display Size: 2 inches width; 3.5 inches height; 4 inches diagonal
• Weight: 10.2 oz with a lithium-ion battery pack included; 11.7 oz with 3AA batteries
• Battery life: 16 hours with lithium-ion; 22 hours with AA batteries
• Water rating: IPX7
• Memory: 4GB    _­­

Pros

• Pinpoints location fast and accurately
• It has a very readable screen
• It has a double-based battery system

4. Humminbird 410210-1 HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G2 Fish Finder

Kayaking in different areas and the terrain is made easy by the use of Hummingbird Helix 5 Chirp. It can be mounted easily on a kayak. The system makes use of a 2D Chirp sonar.

The Hummingbird Helix 5 chirp is a kayak fish finder GPS that also provides accurate information on the user’s location. It also helps note the water’s current and further trace the user’s path. Below are some of the amazing features that give it an edge over other GPS devices

• Dual Beam Plus Sonar: the combination of two beams helps you get a substantial area coverage with excellent details that note structures and contours.
• Built-in base map: this provides a clear image of the underwater environments, this feature helps you fish and navigate with confidence as it notes hazards, contours, buoys, and much more. Its base may include a coastal coverage of the U.S. and charts of over 10,000 lakes.
• Navionics compatibility: with Navionics compatibility, you can add more maps to the already built-in map. It is a good option for sailing, fishing, and cruising.

SPECIFICATION

• Display size: 5 diagonal inches
• Display pixel matrix: 800H × 480V
• Display resolution: 7.55 × 4.64 × 3.3 inches
• Screen snapshot: present
• Mount standard: Gimbal

Pros

• Helps in fish finding
• Its GPS works with WAAS

5. Garmin GPSMAP 64x Handheld GPS

Garmin GPSMAP 64x is a handheld device that comes with a TopoActive map preloaded in it, consisting of a moveable route to encourage a smooth journey of your grid. Helps you get familiar with your surroundings and note with ease several points of interest.

It helps you locate your position swiftly and accurately in challenging environments with its high-sensitivity receiver, quad-helix antenna, and multiple navigation system support, the navigation system support is GPS GLONASS and Galileo.

The Garmin GPSMAP 64x series features BirdEye Satellite Imagery that helps integrate satellite images into your map, although a subscription is required to activate this feature.

It also allows paperless geocaching that allows you to upload GPX files directly to your system, this aids reading of vital information such as location and hints from geocaching.com. It features a fantastic battery life of up to 16 hours in GPS mode.

The Garmin GPSMAP 64x series keeps you up to date with text, alerts, and emails from connected devices, saving you the stress of digging into your bags for your mobile devices.

Images from your outing can be captured with the 8-megapixel autofocus camera, allowing you to save moments that can further automatically be geotagged with the location of where the picture was taken to allow easy navigation to those spots in future trips.

SPECIFICATION

• Physical dimension: 2.4 × 6.3 × 1.4 inches
• Display size: 1.43 × 2.15 inches; 2.6 diagonal inches
• Display resolution: 160 × 240 pixels
• Weight: 7.7 oz with batteries
• Battery type: 2 AA batteries
• Battery life: 16 hours
• Water rating: IPX7
• Memory: 8GB

Pros

• Can connect wirelessly with other devices
• The system is water-resistant.
• Comes with a preloaded map
• Has a large internal memory of 8GB

6. Garmin Fenix 5 GPS watch

Garmin Fenix 5 GPS watch is designed with stainless steel finishes, and QuickFit ® watch band combinations that give you the look, performance, and lightweight comfort. It features a dual navigation network system of GPS and GLONASS satellites to aid tracking in difficult environments.

This Garmin kayak watch GPS has an excellent readability function in all ambient conditions, it is designed with a bright, high-resolution, full-color Chroma Display ™ with LED backlighting. Under fierce sunlight, its transflective technology transmits and reflects light simultaneously to allow the watch face to become easily readable.

It is suitable for sports as it has varying sections of QuickFit bands of leather, metal, or silicon, which makes it easy to mix and match styles with sporting activity. It doesn’t require the use of tools, just swap, click and you are all set to go.

Garmin Fenix 5 GPS series comes with a full-scaled tracking and navigation guide, detailing the use of GPS, altimeter, barometer, and compass sensors. The altimeter provides information that helps to precisely monitor ascent and descent.

The barometer forecasts changes in weather conditions, and the compass maintains your bearing regardless of whether you are moving or not. It also has an internal gyroscope that improves accurate positioning and battery life in its Ultra Trac mode.

The Garmin Fenix 5 GPS watch sure got you covered all through your outing with a long-lasting battery life of about 20 hours. It is of a portable size, and as such can be worn without worry, it also possesses optical heart rate sensors that work at all times. It can be relied on for accurate reading.

There is no cause for alarm when considering getting a Garmin Fenix 5 GPS watch as it is super easy to set up, all it takes to get a Fenix GPS watch started is to charge it, download the app on your phone, and follow the instructions in the app.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Strap material: silicone or steel
• Physical size: 47 × 47 × 15.5 mm
• Color display: present
• Display size: 1.2 diameter inches
• Display resolution: 240 × 240 pixel
• Weight: 85g
• Battery life: varies with the mode
  • Smartwatch mode: about 2 weeks
  • GPS mode: about 24 hours
  • UltraTrac mode: about 60 hours excluding wrist heart rate
• Water rating: 10 ATM
• Memory: 64MB

Pros

• Gives quick accurate information
• Very easy to set up
• Monitors heart rate while on the motion.

7. Garmin eTrex 32x Rugged Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin eTrex 32x is a device built with an improved 65k color, a 2.2-inch, sunlight-readable display, it is a very rugged device built to hold out against several elements, with its enhanced interface and legendary doggedness to withstand dirt and dust.

It features a built-in electronic compass that shows your direction regardless of whether you are standing still or holding it level, and a barometric altimeter that helps you note changes in weather conditions.

The Garmin eTrex 32x tracks both GPS and GLONASS satellites together. The GLONASS satellite is about 20 percent faster than using just GPS, and when used alongside GPS, you could lock on 24 more satellites than using just GPS.

Garmin eTrex 32x supports the BirsEye Satellite Imagery that helps download and add satellite imagery to your map, it also supports geocaching that helps upload GPX files to the system to view information from geocaching.com

The Garmin eTrex32x is an improved version of the eTrex22x. It is solid, reliable, and rugged, it doesn’t have to be handled with so much care, unlike the smartphone. Its screen can be read easily in sunlight.

It has an internal memory of 8GB preloaded with information in Topomap, plus an additional micro SD card. It is made up of a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, and ANT + connection.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Display resolution: 240 × 320 pixels
• Display size: 1.4 × 1.7 inches; 2.2 diagonal inches
• Physical dimensions: 2.1 × 4.0 × 1.3 inches
• Weight: 141.7 g
• Battery type: 2 AA batteries
• Battery life: 25 hours
• Water rating: IPX7
• Memory: 8 GB
• Interface: mini USB
• Sensors:
  • GPS
  • GLONASS
  • BAROMETRIC ALTIMETER
  • COMPASS

Pros

• Has a large memory space of about 8 GB
• It features the BirdEye satellite imagery
• It is quite an affordable device

8. Garmin GPS 73

The Garmin GPS 73 features a variety of features, among which are the high-sensitivity GPS, the Garmin SailAssist, and the built-in backlight. It is a handheld device perfect for kayaks without a Chartplotter. It also functions as an emergency navigation backup. This device can be used on land as well as water.

The Garmin GPS 73 SailAssists aids sailing by giving you information on the ideal time to track based on your boat getting headed or lifted when compared to the boat’s optimal tacking angle. It possesses an instinctive interface with a back-it button that makes operation quick and easy.

Garmin GPS 73 is compatible with NMEA0183. It also features built-in celestial data that includes sunrise/sunset times, fishing and hunting calendar, alongside proposed arrival time and other vital marine data for hunters, fishermen, and even explorers.

The Garmin GPS 73 is known for its high sensitivity, it marks and stores up to 1000 waypoints and 100 tracks, this helps you navigate easily back to those tracks, by swiftly locking onto GPS signals to track your location in a challenging situation.

It floats on water and as such can be used independently on water and land. It can be relied on to track your location even in different locations like a deep canyon or under a heavy tree cover. Data can be transferred to other devices by connecting it to your computer using a USB.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Display Resolution: I28 × 160 Pixel
• Battery Life: Above 18 Hours
• Display Type: 4 Levels Gray LCD
• Physical Dimension: 2.6 × 6.0 × 1.2 Inches
• Display Size: 1.4 × 2.1 Inches; 2.6 Diagonal Inches
• Weight: 7.2 Oz; 203.1g
• Battery Type: 2 Aa Batteries
• Water Rating: Ipx7
• High Sensitivity Reciever: Present
• Interface: Serial And USB

Pros

• It Has An Excellent Battery Life Of About 18 Hours
• It is lightweight, which makes Handling Easy
• Connection To Other Devices Is Easy
• It Is A Highly-Sensitive GPS Device

9. Polar M200 GPS Watch

The Polar M 200 GPS watch is a kayak watch GPS with an advanced wristband having integrated GPS such as GLONASS, Galileo, GPS, and QZSS. It tracks your heart rate and measures the rate with which you recover from your daily demands at night with its advanced wrist-based heart rate and nightly recharge feature.

Polar M 200 GPS watch navigate through your playlist and also gives you data on the change in weather condition. It also connects you to your smartphone, giving you access to incoming calls, messages, emails, and more all through your journey.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Measurement: 46 × 46 × 12.5 mm
• Weight: 45.5 g with a wristband, 28.5 g without a wristband
• Materials: stainless steel bezel, glass fiber reinforced case
• Display Type: color display; PMMA laminated lens
• Display resolution: 240 × 240 pixel
• Battery type: 230 mAh Li-pol battery
• Battery life:
  • 40 hours in training mode
  • 7 days in watch mode plus consistent heart rate tracking
• Sensor: integrated GPS and GLONASS
• Interface: USB cable and Bluetooth
• Water rating: waterproof (WR30)

Pros

• It is waterproof
• It is lightweight and be worn
• It connects to your smartphone and keeps you updated all through your journey.

10. Bad Elf 2200 GPS PRO

The Bad Elf 2200 GPS Pro is a rugged, splash-proof device that works with all location-based apps allowing you to survive your journey and share clips of your trip with friends and family. It is simple to use and easy to enjoy, void of complicated setup processes.

It has the following features; the jet pilot feature which allows the share of data from one GPS to another. The general aviation pilot allows your phone as a backup for charts without reconnecting. The Bad ELF 2200 GPS pro possesses an LCD screen with a backlight that ensures proper visibility at all times.

It also helps you note your location, direction, and speed at one glance. It also has an extra-long battery life and a GPS reporting rate of 10 times per second.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Physical Dimensions: 3 × 2.4 × 0.7 inches
• Display resolution: 128 × 96 dot LCD screen
• Weight: 3.2 oz; 90 g
• Constellations: GPS + SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS)
• Water rating: IPX4
• Battery life:
  • About 16 hours when connected to other devices via Bluetooth and supporting a GPS rating mode 10 times per second
  • About 32 hours when in GPS Pro in standalone data logger mode.

Pros

• Easy connection to other devices
• Good sensors

Other Worthy Mentions

1. Garmin GPSMAP 78sc Waterproof Marine GPS

The Garmin GPSMAP 78sc is designed with an in-built 3-axis compensated electronic compass that accurately shows you direction, it also has a barometric altimeter that changes tracks to accurately pinpoint the altitude and note changes in weather conditions.

It is a rugged water-resistant device having a preloaded U.S. chart, a high-sensitivity receiver even a micro SD card slot for additional maps. A built-in BlueChart g2 coastal chart perfect for outdoor activities comes with the Garmin GPSMAP 78sc device.

It further allows the sharing of routes, geocaches, tracks, and the like to compatible devices all at the click of the “send” button.

The device gives an opportunity to add maps with its array of detailed marine and road maps available on the micro SD card placed inside the water-resistant battery compartment to avoid it being soiled by water.

Garmin GPSMAP 78sc supports BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, which allows downloading of Satellite images to be integrated with your map, although a subscription is required to access this feature.

For analyzing and storing your activities, connection to your computer and the internet is the only requirement to get a complete analysis of your activity.

The track can be sent to your outdoor device through Garmin Connect. You can also explore routes uploaded by other Garmin Connect users. It also supports geocaching.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Physical Dimension: 2.6 × 6.0 × 1.2 inches
• Display size: 1.43 × 2.15 inches; 2.6 diagonal inches
• Display resolution: 160 × 240
• Weight: 7.7 oz; 218.3 g with battery
• Battery type: 2 AA battery
• Display Type: transflective, 65-k color
• Battery life:
  • About 35 hours at 10 minutes tracking
  • About 200 hours in power-saving mode
• Water rating: IPX7
• High sensitivity receiver: present
• Memory: 1.7 GB

Pros

• Gives you access to other Garmin user’s map
• It is rugged and waterproof.
• It is quite affordable.

2. Garmin Foretrex 701

Garmin Foretrex 701 is a rugged, wrist-mounted device with compatible night vision goggles. To ensure precise positioning and proper tracking in more challenging environments than GPS, the device works with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems.

For guidance’s sake, Garmin Foretrex 701 gives off detailed tracking through GPS plus altimeter, barometer, and compass. This device keeps you connected at all times, delivering your emails, texts, alerts, etc from your mobile device to your GPS device.

To get other people within cellular coverage to follow your trip, the use of the Garmin Connect™ Mobile app to start the LiveTrack feature was designed.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Physical dimension: 2.9 × 1.7 × 0.9 inches
• Display size: 2.0 diagonal inches
• Display resolution: 200 × 128 pixel
• Display Type: high-resolution 4-color gray
• Weight: 3.1 oz with batteries
• Battery type: 2 AAA batteries
• Battery life:
  • 48 hours in GPS mode
  • 1 week in UltraTrac mode
  • 1 month in watch mode
• Water rating: IPX7
• Interface: micro USB

Pros

• It has a long-lasting battery life
• It can be worn on the wrist saving you the worry of carrying it about
• It is built to withstand elements
• It is a very rugged design

You can rely on any of the above-stated GPS for a smooth and enjoyable journey on the water. Their outstanding features give it an edge over other GPS and are important when considering kayaking.

The world of an explorer has been made easy, stress-free, and smooth with these GPS. All you need to do is get a suitable GPS, plan your journey, and sail your kayak through ecstasy.