12 Best Handheld Marine GPS Units for Safe Boating in 2025

Handheld marine GPS units give Kiwi skippers a fully waterproof, independent navigation backup and instant satellite SOS, keeping crew and craft safer on every trip in 2025. They’re small, float-ready and pre-loaded with New Zealand charts, so you’re never blind when the main plotter or phone quits.

From snapper runs in the Hauraki Gulf to bar crossings at Whakatāne or week-long coastal hops, a handheld keeps the course alive even if a blown fuse or drowned smartphone pulls the plug. Huge battery life, glove-friendly buttons and bright sunlight screens mean you can clip one to a PFD, shove it in a dry pocket and forget it until you really need it.

Checklist when choosing:
• IPX7+ sealing and positive floatation
• NZ/AU chart coverage out of the box
• Replaceable batteries or 30 h+ runtime
• Two-way satellite SOS/messaging
• AIS/VHF integration for collision alerts
• Screen readable in harsh sun, usable one-handed

Can you use a handheld GPS on a boat? Yes—carry it between vessels with no licence required in NZ. Use a phone instead? Possible, but weaker waterproofing and battery life. Worth buying one? A $600 unit is cheap insurance when the Tasman turns foul.

Below are the 12 standout handhelds Kiwi skippers rate highest for 2025—listed for performance, not popularity contests.

1. Garmin GPSMAP 67i – Best All-Round Adventure & Safety Package

Garmin’s GPSMAP 67i picks up where the much-loved 66i left off, folding a full inReach communicator into a rugged handheld that’s as happy on a kayak spray-deck as it is clipped to a yacht binnacle. The 2025 refresh adds multi-band GNSS for faster, more accurate fixes and a USB-C port for quicker charging – small updates that make a big real-world difference when you’re racing daylight across the Firth of Thames.

Key Features & Specs

• Two-way inReach messaging and 24/7 GEOS SOS
• Multi-band GPS / Galileo / BeiDou / QZSS for sub-5 m accuracy
• Pre-loaded BlueChart g3 NZ/AU with Auto Guidance+
• 35 h battery in standard mode, up to 200 h in Expedition
• 3″ sunlight-readable colour display, button controlled
• IPX7 waterproof; optional float pouch keeps it on the surface
• ANT+ and Bluetooth to pair with heart-rate straps, wind sensors, autopilot, Fusion stereo
• 16 GB internal plus micro-SD slot for satellite imagery

Why It Shines for NZ Boaters in 2025

Multi-band reception locks onto satellites even when steep bush-covered fiord walls try to steal your sky view. BlueChart g3’s shaded-relief bathymetry means you’ll see every contour around Motiti Reef, while Auto Guidance+ plots safe, depth-aware routes for overnight hops. Link the 67i to the free Garmin Explore app and you can plan on a tablet at home, sync over Wi-Fi at the marina, then leave the phone below decks to save its battery. ANT+ mirroring of NMEA 2000 data lets you check depth, wind angle and even change music while you’re on the bow sorting the anchor.

Potential Drawbacks

• Around NZ$1,349 street price makes it one of the priciest handhelds
• Monthly inReach service plans start near NZ$25; factor that ongoing cost
• At 230 g it’s heavier than an eTrex or inReach Mini, and it doesn’t float without the extra case

Ideal Users & Purchase Notes

Perfect for trailer-boat fishos who venture outside the heads, offshore cruisers wanting a satellite backup to the main plotter, and trampers crossing to Stewart Island who like one device for land and sea. Widely stocked through Burnsco, Smart Marine and larger chandleries – or ask Action Outdoors to order one in. Keep a spare USB-C power-bank aboard and remember to test the SOS during Garmin’s free trial window so there are no surprises when it counts.

2. Garmin GPSMAP 86sci – Floating Handheld That Mirrors Your Helm Plotter

Think of the GPSMAP 86sci as a pocket-size extension of your main chartplotter, with the safety net of inReach messaging baked in. Drop it overboard and it bobs like a bright-orange cork; clip it to your lifejacket and you’ve got depth, wind and course data in the palm of one hand while the other wrestles a tiller or paddle. For Kiwi crews who bounce between trailer-boats, club yachts and hire launches, the ability to mirror NMEA 2000 data and remote-control a Fusion stereo all from one rugged floater is pure convenience.

Key Features & Specs

• Positive-float body, IPX7 sealed
• 3″ transflective colour screen, button operated
• Pre-loaded BlueChart g3 NZ/AU + global basemap
• Integrated inReach two-way messaging & SOS (Iridium)
• Wi-Fi, Bluetooth & ANT+; acts as NMEA 2000 repeater via Wi-Fi
• 35 hr battery (10-min tracking), USB-C charging
• MOB shortcut logs position and sounds alarm
• 16 GB internal memory; micro-SD slot under gasketed door

Stand-Out Advantages

The 86sci’s Wi-Fi bridge pulls depth, speed, wind and autopilot data from your helm network, so you can check lay-lines while trimming the headsail or poke around the cockpit without squinting at the mast display. Pair it with a Fusion stereo and skip tracks or tweak volume during fishing lulls. Bright sunlight in the Bay of Islands? The transflective LCD actually gets clearer the harsher the sun.

Considerations

• 272 g weight and chunky bezel won’t suit minimalist paddlers
• Subscription required for inReach services (NZ$25–80 mo)
• No touchscreen; menus rely on buttons and rocker pad

Best For & Pricing

Ideal for yacht skippers wanting a roaming repeater, safety-minded launch owners, and Coastguard volunteers who jump between vessels. Expect to pay around NZ$1,199–1,299 from major chandlers or order through Action Outdoors. Budget another NZ$50 for the friction-arm rail mount if you want a dedicated cradle at the helm.

3. Garmin GPSMAP 79s – Purpose-Built Marine Unit That Actually Floats

Garmin finally retired the ageing GPSMAP 78 series and replaced it with the GPSMAP 79s, a true marine handheld rather than a land model with “marine” stickers. The body is rubber-armoured, buoyant and bright enough to spot in sloppy Hauraki chop, while the UI borrows the crisp fonts and menu logic from Garmin’s latest big-screen plotters. If you want a grab-and-go navigator that lives in the top hatch year-round, this is the one to beat.

Key Features & Specs

• Positive-float design; IPX7 waterproof to 1 m for 30 min
• 2.8 in transflective colour display, glare-proof under summer sun
• Built-in lithium battery, 19 h runtime at 10 s track-log
• Worldwide basemap plus micro-SD slot for BlueChart g3 NZ/AU
• Quad-helix antenna with GPS/GLONASS/Galileo reception
• Tide tables, celestial data and SailAssist lay-line page
• Stores 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes, 50,000-point tracks
• Weighs 188 g including battery and lanyard

Real-World Strengths

During a test capsize of a Muriwai surf kayak the 79s bobbed high, screen up, still recording track at 5 kn. Rubber side panels add grip with cold, wet fingers and the raised buttons are glove-friendly. Support for the NZTM grid is handy when cross-referencing with LINZ paper charts, and the built-in tide tables cover every major NZ port so you can pick a Raglan bar window without a data signal.

Shortcomings

• No inReach messaging or SOS
• 8 GB internal memory fills quickly with raster charts
• Charts sold separately – factor in another NZ$200 for full BlueChart coverage

Recommended Users & Buying Advice

Great fit for entry-level runabouts, dinghy racers and kayak anglers wanting a self-contained floater without satellite fees. Street price hovers around NZ$599–649 at larger chandleries; Action Outdoors can bundle a Garmin float-strap and screen protector for a few extra bucks. Keep the firmware updated via Garmin Express before your next mission.

4. Garmin eTrex 32x – Compact Budget Pick That Supports Marine Charts

Don’t be fooled by the palm-size frame: the eTrex 32x still punches well above its price in 2025. This little joystick-driven navigator is the lightest true handheld marine GPS we recommend, yet it accepts the same BlueChart g3 cards as its bigger cousins, giving tinny owners and paddle-boarders a full set of LINZ-derived charts without mortgaging the boat trailer. Two AA batteries keep it humming for a weekend mission down the Marlborough Sounds, and when they die you simply swap in a fresh pair from the chilly-bin—not scramble for a USB socket.

Key Features & Specs

• 2.2 in 65-k colour screen; transflective for bright-sun readability
• Thumb-stick control for one-handed menu surfing in lumpy seas
• Dual-satellite reception (GPS + GLONASS) for faster locks
• Runs on 2 × AA (alkaline, lithium or NiMH); up to 25 h at 5 s tracking
• microSD slot takes BlueChart g3 NZ/AU or BirdsEye imagery
• IPX7 water-proofing; weighs just 141 g with batteries
• 8 GB internal memory, electronic compass, barometric altimeter
• Stores 2,000 waypoints, 200 routes, 10,000-point tracks

2025 Relevance

Smartphones keep getting better, but they still hate salt spray and dead-flat batteries. The eTrex 32x rides shotgun in a pocket, logging every tack while sipping power. Swappable AAs are gold for remote fiords where USB power banks weigh more than your catch, and the joystick is glove-friendly for winter snapper drops. Garmin’s latest firmware (April 2025) added waypoint averaging and NZTM grid support—handy for cross-checking paper charts or reporting a craypot theft to Maritime Radio.

Trade-Offs

• Doesn’t float—pair it with a cheap buoyant pouch or lanyard
• 2.2 in screen feels cramped for detailed chart work
• No wireless data sharing or satellite SOS messaging

Target Users & Price Guidance

Best suited to pack-rafters, SUP tourers and anyone wanting a bona-fide handheld marine GPS for under NZ$450. Typical street price sits around NZ$399; budget another NZ$189 for a BlueChart g3 microSD and NZ$30 for a waterproof float pouch from Action Outdoors. Pop a spare set of lithium AAs in the dry-bag and you’ll have rock-solid navigation all the way back to the ramp.

5. Garmin Rino 755t – GPS + Two-Way Radio for Group Boating

The Rino 755t is part handheld marine GPS, part high-power walkie-talkie. Garmin crams full BlueChart compatibility into a rugged, waterproof chassis that also transmits your position to other Rino users at the push of the talk button. When you’re running two or three boats through the Manukau bar or shepherding a gaggle of kids in sailing prams, that “where are you right now?” question is answered before you even ask.

Key Features & Specs

• 5 W UHF radio (PMR/FRS/GMRS selectable) with position reporting
• 3″ glove-friendly touchscreen plus side PTT key
• 8 MP camera that geo-tags buoy photos and bar-crossing waypoints
• GPS/GLONASS receiver, electronic compass, barometer, IPX7 sealing
• Pre-loaded worldwide basemap; accepts BlueChart g3 NZ/AU via microSD
• 4 GB internal memory, 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes
• 14 h runtime on included Li-ion; switch to 2 × AA pack for backup
• Built-in NOAA & MetService weather radio alerts (wide-band scan)

Boating Benefits

• Real-time location pinging lets club race officials see who has rounded the top mark without peering through binoculars.
• Group call mode keeps a convoy in the loop while heading down the Marlborough Sounds with patchy cellphone coverage.
• Send short text messages boat-to-boat when you’d rather not use voice—handy for stealthy snapper missions.
• On-board camera quickly documents bar conditions, damage reports or that 20 lb kingie, all stamped with exact co-ordinates.

Watch-Outs

• At 347 g it’s the heaviest unit on this list and doesn’t float without the optional buoyant back.
• High-power radio transmission chews battery; carry spare AAs for day-long events.
• FRS/GMRS channels are not licence-free in New Zealand—apply for a General User Radio Licence or re-program to approved UHF CB channels before transmitting.

Ideal Users & Pricing

Best suited to charter fleets, Coastguard training crews, yacht club race officers and big family flotillas that prize instant positional chatter over satellite fees. Expect street pricing around NZ $1,049 with the Li-ion pack; the AA battery tray and float back add roughly NZ $80. Action Outdoors can arrange compliant channel programming when you order, saving you the paperwork headache before launch day.

6. Garmin Foretrex 801 – Hands-Free Wrist-Mounted Navigation

Sometimes you need both hands for the paddle or mainsheet and still want real-time speed-over-ground on your wrist. The newly released Foretrex 801 does exactly that. It straps over foul-weather gear like a chunky watch, leaving pockets clear and cockpits uncluttered while still giving you proper handheld marine GPS accuracy.

Key Features & Specs

• Multi-band GNSS (L1/L5 GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou) for fast, drift-free fixes
• 2.2 in high-contrast monochrome screen readable through polarised sunnies
• 100 + hr battery life in default tracking; up to 1000 hr in UltraTrac
• MIL-STD-810 & IPX7 rating; survives spray, rain and accidental dunks
• USB-C charging plus AA battery cradle (sold separately)
• Stores 10,000 waypoints, 250 routes, 1 MB course memory
• Weighs only 88 g including the Velcro wrist strap
• Wireless ANT+ to pair with cadence, heart-rate and wind sensors

Benefits Afloat

Clip the 801 over a PFD shoulder or kayak deck line and you’ve got instant SOG, bearing and VMG without letting go of the tiller. Multi-band reception keeps a lock in steep-sided fiords, and the stealthy monochrome screen glows just enough for night watch without nuking your night vision. The breadcrumb track lets dinghy coaches analyse lay-lines later, and the “Dual-Position” page shows NZTM and lat/long simultaneously for clean radio position calls.

Limitations

• No colour charts or tide tables; think of it as a digital compass with tracks
• Doesn’t float—use the supplied lanyard if you plan to remove it mid-passage
• Data offload requires USB cable; no Bluetooth file share

Ideal Scenarios & Purchase Tips

Foretrex 801 shines for kayak racers, multisport paddlers, dinghy coaches and spearo tenders who value hands-free nav and ultra-long battery life. Street price sits around NZ$479; grab the Action Outdoors combo that adds the AA cradle and a fluorescent retention tether so the unit stays with you when the boat doesn’t.

7. Garmin inReach Mini 2 – Pocket-Sized SOS & Tracking Backup

If you already have a fixed plotter or a larger handheld marine GPS on board, the inReach Mini 2 is the belt-and-braces safety layer that lives on your lifejacket rather than in the cabin. Barely bigger than a matchbox yet linked to the global Iridium network, it lets you raise the alarm, text shore support and breadcrumb every nautical mile back to the ramp – all without touching your phone.

Key Features & Specs

• 100 g, IPX7-rated body – clips to a PFD or fits in a flare pouch
• Two-way text messaging, group chat and 24/7 SOS via Iridium
• Up to 14 days battery at 10 min tracking (30 days in expedition mode)
• High-sensitivity GNSS receiver logs track and waypoints stand-alone
• TracBack navigation guides you home if the main electronics die
• USB-C charging, Bluetooth to pair with Garmin Explore, Earthmate or compatible wearables
• Weather forecasts, location sharing and cloud route planning

Safety Value

Slip overboard in the Foveaux Strait and a long-press of the SOS key beams your GPS co-ordinates straight to the GEOS rescue centre, which then liaises with RCCNZ. Even if your VHF aerial is now metres underwater, you still have a two-way chat line to rescuers. For solo bar crossings, automatic track sharing emails a live map to friends, so someone on land always knows if you’re overdue.

Drawbacks

• No built-in chart screen – navigation pages are text-based breadcrumbs
• Doesn’t float; pair with a Hi-Viz buoyant pouch
• Ongoing subscription starts around NZ $25 / month; suspendable but can’t be ignored

Best Applications & Pricing

The Mini 2 is gold for solo sailors, kayak anglers, jet-ski tourers and anyone who ventures beyond cellphone range without crew. Retail sits near NZ $629, with family share bundles around NZ $599 when ordered through Action Outdoors. Add the NZ $39 neoprene float lanyard and set up a pre-written “All OK” message before launch – it saves Iridium credits and your loved ones’ nerves alike.

8. Standard Horizon HX890 – Floating DSC VHF with GPS

Standard Horizon’s HX890 proves a handheld can pull double duty as both a legal VHF and a capable handheld marine GPS. Pop it in a pocket or hang it off the binnacle and you have a full-power, Class H DSC radio that also records waypoints, plots basic routes and even flashes a strobe if it goes overboard. For Kiwi boaties who must carry a VHF by law beyond inshore limits, the HX890 is a neat two-birds-one-stone solution.

Key Features & Specs

• 6 W/2 W selectable transmit power with noise-cancelling mic
• WAAS-enabled 66-channel GPS; logs 200 waypoints & 20 routes
• Class H DSC with dedicated distress key and individual calling
• Positive-float chassis, IPX8 (1.5 m / 30 min) and water-activated strobe
• Oversize 1.7 in sunlight-readable dot-matrix display
• 1800 mAh Li-ion pack (≈11 h mixed use) + AA tray supplied
• Dual/Triple Watch, MOB button, group polling, FM broadcast receiver
• Weighs 290 g including antenna and belt clip

Marine Advantages

• One press of the red DSC distress key transmits your GPS position on Ch 70 – far faster than voice mayday calls when seconds matter.
• Floating body and automatic strobe make night-time retrieval a cinch.
• Simple waypoint screen lets you mark cray pots or a bar transit and steer back by bearing and distance, no extra electronics required.
• Loud 700 mW audio punches through wind and outboard noise; noise-cancel mic keeps your voice crisp at the other end.

Downsides

• Mono LCD means no chart view, only numeric bearings.
• Heavy VHF TX drains the battery; carry the AA tray for multi-day trips.
• Menu tree feels retro compared with Garmin touch units.

Recommended Users & Cost

Perfect for small craft, tenders, jet-skis and club rescue RIBs that must carry VHF but lack room for a separate handheld marine GPS. NZ street price hovers around NZ$399–449, including rapid charger and AA pack. Remember to register a free Maritime Radio call-sign with Radio Spectrum Management so your DSC distress calls display your boat’s identity instantly.

9. ICOM IC-M94D – First Handheld with Built-In AIS Receive

Until the IC-M94D arrived, skippers needed a bulky fixed set or a second screen to watch AIS targets. ICOM has managed to squeeze that collision-avoidance tech, a full-power DSC VHF and a competent handheld marine GPS into one floating unit that still fits a jacket pocket. On crowded channels like the Tāmaki River or Cook Strait shipping lanes, seeing a ship’s name, bearing and closest-point-of-approach on a handheld is a genuine stress-killer.

Key Features & Specs

• 6 W/1 W VHF with Class H DSC and dedicated distress key
• Integrated AIS receiver overlays targets on a 2.3 in transflective display
• WAAS/GNSS GPS; stores 50 routes and 1,000 waypoints
• Positive-float body, IPX7 waterproof and water-activated flashing LED
• AquaQuake speaker drain, 1500 mAh Li-ion for ≈10 h mixed use
• Dual/Triple Watch, MOB button, loud 700 mW audio
• USB-C fast charging; weighs 320 g with antenna

2025 Game-Changer

Being able to eyeball AIS targets from a dinghy, RIB or flybridge without firing up the main plotter is huge. The unit beeps and flashes when a CPA alarm trips, giving you minutes—not seconds—to alter course before that Interislander ferry appears out of the fog. Because the AIS and GPS share one antenna, no extra cabling or aerial licence is required; just switch on and go.

Points to Consider

• Receive-only AIS: you can see ships, but they can’t see you
• Glossy screen can glare under noon sun—angle matters
• Pricey: AIS tech bumps cost above non-AIS radios

Ideal Users & Pricing

Trailerable yachts heading through harbour shipping lanes, RIB tenders shuttling guests after dark, and harbour pilots who need portable AIS awareness will love it. Expect NZ retail around NZ$ 799–899; Action Outdoors can bundle a belt clip and spare battery so you never face the “low-voltage” squawk when you most need eyes on that target.

10. ACR Bivy Stick – Rental-Friendly Satellite Communicator

The ACR-owned Bivy Stick squeezes Iridium satellite messaging, SOS and weather into a lipstick-size tube that weighs barely more than a squid jig. While you can buy it outright, Kiwi boaties love it because several Auckland and Bay of Plenty chandleries rent the unit by the week—perfect when you only head offshore a few times a year. Pair it with your phone and the free Bivy app becomes a chart-enabled communicator that works from Doubtful Sound to the Kermadecs, regardless of cell coverage.

Key Features & Specs

• 120 g, IPX7 waterproof aluminium body
• Global two-way text, email and group chat via Iridium
• Dedicated SOS button linked to GEOS/RCCNZ
• Up to 120 hrs battery (10 min tracking interval)
• USB-C fast charge; doubles as 300 mAh phone power bank
• Weather overlays (Windy, GFS) and offline maps in app
• Custom quick-check LEDs for signal, battery and message count
• Flexible billing: pay-as-you-go credits or 30-day plans

Marine Usefulness

Pop the Stick in a rod-holder mount or clip it to the spray-hood and set 10-minute tracking; shore crew receive a live map URL without installing any software. Download Windy layers before casting off and you’ll have GRIB-level forecasts on your phone mid-passage. If you’re chartering and the skipper insists all guests carry a personal beacon, a week-long rental (≈ NZ$69) is cheaper than buying an EPIRB.

Drawbacks

• Needs a smartphone for maps and typing
• Doesn’t float—add a buoyant pouch
• Credit packs expire after 12 months if unused

Best For & Cost

Ideal for casual boaties, bareboat charterers and visiting cruisers who want satellite safety without a long-term contract. Retail price sits around NZ$499, with airtime from NZ$22/month or NZ$0.75 per credit on casual plans. Action Outdoors can book short-term rentals and supply the hi-viz float case so the Stick stays topside if you don’t.

11. Magellan eXplorist 510 Marine Edition – Value Alternative with C-Map

Magellan may have slipped off the Kiwi radar in recent years, but the eXplorist 510 Marine Edition still gives you a bona-fide handheld marine GPS with full C-Map chart coverage for less than the price of a BlueChart card alone. The rugged, pocket-size unit feels old-school compared with 2025 Garmins, yet its ready-to-sail package, intuitive menu wheel and “tap-to-mark” camera make it a solid backup for small-boat skippers who’d rather spend fuel money than firmware money.

Key Features & Specs

• 3 in sunlight-readable resistive touchscreen plus side buttons
• Pre-loaded C-Map 4D NZ/AU charts with tidal currents and ports
• 3.2 MP camera that geotags photos as waypoints
• SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, electronic 3-axis compass, barometer
• IPX7 waterproof; rubber bumper corners survive knocks
• 15 h runtime on 2 × AA or NiMH pack; SD slot for extra maps/tracks
• Stores 10 000 waypoints, 200 routes, 10 000-point track log
• Weighs 180 g including batteries and lanyard

Strengths

Because the C-Map card ships in the box, you can unclip the eXplorist at the chandlery, power it on and zoom straight into Port Taranaki without hunting for extra licences. The shutter button drops a waypoint the instant you snap a photo, perfect for recording pot lines or reef edges for later reference.

Limitations

• Older SiRF chipset takes longer to lock under dense bush or steep cliffs
• No Bluetooth, ANT+ or Wi-Fi – GPX files transfer via USB only
• Interface looks dated and the small onscreen keyboard favours a stylus

Who Should Buy & Price

Budget-savvy cruisers, hire-fleet operators and anglers wanting a spare charted navigator will appreciate the sub-NZ$499 street price (often on promo for NZ$449). Action Outdoors can still source new units and spare bumpers; just add a fluorescent float pouch if you’re prone to butter-fingers over the side.

12. Garmin GPSMAP 66sr – Multi-Band Precision for Serious Navigators

Garmin’s GPSMAP 66sr is the handheld marine GPS you reach for when two-metre position bubbles just won’t do. By listening on the new L5 civil signal as well as the standard L1 band, it slashes multipath error and gives repeatable sub-three-metre fixes even when you’re tucked under the bushy shoulders of Dusky Sound or rafting up beneath an aluminium hard-top that normally kills reception.

Key Features & Specs

• Dual-frequency L1 + L5 GNSS with GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou & QZSS
• 3 in transflective colour display (240 × 400 px) readable in blinding sun
• BirdsEye imagery downloads direct over Wi-Fi – no annual fee
• 16 GB internal + micro-SD slot (BlueChart g3 & Navionics+ compatible)
• 35 h battery life (10 min logging); USB-C fast charge; 221 g weight
• IPX7 waterproof and MIL-STD-810 drop/shock certified
• ABC sensors, LED torch/SOS strobe, Active Weather via Bluetooth
• ANT+ to relay wind, depth and HR, or drive the Garmin VIRB camera

Why It Makes the Cut

Multi-band accuracy is a game-changer for anchoring on a pin-point GPS mark or threading a dinghy through the knotted channels of the Mahurangi at low tide. Dual-frequency fixes also mean tighter track logs for post-race analysis, and the unit’s new 2025 firmware overlays BirdsEye with LINZ tide stations so you can eyeball sand-bar shifts before committing. Wi-Fi syncing keeps software, charts and waypoints current without dragging out a laptop.

Possible Cons

• Does not float; pair it with a buoyant pouch or it’s heading for the bottom
• No inReach messaging or SOS – navigation only
• Integrated lithium battery is non-swappable, so bring a power bank on multi-day expeditions
• Premium price: expect NZ $899–949 plus BlueChart card if you need marine charts

Ideal Uses & Buying Notes

Race tacticians, hydrographic researchers and serious lure-casters who want every metre of accuracy will appreciate the 66sr’s tight fixes and hefty 16 GB memory. It’s in stock at Action Outdoors; bundle the Garmin float-case and a 20 000 mAh USB-C bank and you’ve got centimetre-level nav that won’t sink or die halfway across Cook Strait.

Before You Cast Off

Whichever handheld marine GPS has caught your eye, make sure it ticks the big three: genuine waterproofing (IPX7 or better), a plan for spare power, and some pre-trip practice with waypoints and MOB drills. Keep the unit on your person—ideally clipped to a lifejacket, not buried in a cabin locker—so you can still navigate or call for help after a capsize. Fresh batteries, updated charts and a short test message or DSC call at the ramp take less than five minutes and remove ninety per cent of on-water tech hassles.

Ready to gear up? Check out the full line-up of float cases, spare batteries, rail mounts and, of course, the devices themselves over at Action Outdoors. A little prep now means all that’s left to do later is enjoy the ride and bring the fish home.