Uploaded March 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Garmin eTrex Touch review after months of testing: battery life, accuracy, and whether it can replace a phone.
*Gear I'm Using Now:*
* inReach: hkgy.co/inreach
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* Watch: hkgy.co/watch
* Shoes: hkgy.co/shoes
* Pack: hkgy.co/backpack
* Rescue Insurance: hkgy.co/insurance
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hikingguy.com/gear
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I bought the Garmin eTrex Touch with my own money to see if a sub-$200 handheld GPS could handle what I normally do with a phone and inReach. After months of trail use, the answer depends on what you need. Battery life hits around 100 hours in SatIQ mode during active tracking, less than Garmin's 130-hour claim but still solid for multi-day trips. Multi-band GPS mode improves accuracy in tough terrain but drains faster. No touchscreen, no fancy maps, but it tracks reliably and pairs with the Garmin Explore app for route planning. If you want breadcrumb navigation and basic tracking without burning phone battery, it works. If you need messaging, SOS, or full topo routing, step up to a GPSMAP 67.
00:00 eTrex Touch or Phone?
00:30 Battery Life
01:45 Accuracy
02:12 Software
03:25 Touchscreen
04:03 Maps & Navigation
05:00 Recommendations
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*Disclaimer:*
Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.
Garmin eTrex Touch review after months of testing: battery life, accuracy, and whether it can replace a phone.
*Gear I'm Using Now:*
* inReach: hkgy.co/inreach
* Hiking App: hkgy.co/app
* Watch: hkgy.co/watch
* Shoes: hkgy.co/shoes
* Pack: hkgy.co/backpack
* Rescue Insurance: hkgy.co/insurance
*Full Hiking Gear List (What I Use Now - Tested & Not Sponsored):*
hikingguy.com/gear
*More Hiking Content*
* Website: hikingguy.com
* Patreon: patreon.com/c/hikingguy
* Monthly Hiking News (free): patreon.com/c/hikingguy
* Subscribe: youtube.com/c/Hikingguy
I bought the Garmin eTrex Touch with my own money to see if a sub-$200 handheld GPS could handle what I normally do with a phone and inReach. After months of trail use, the answer depends on what you need. Battery life hits around 100 hours in SatIQ mode during active tracking, less than Garmin's 130-hour claim but still solid for multi-day trips. Multi-band GPS mode improves accuracy in tough terrain but drains faster. No touchscreen, no fancy maps, but it tracks reliably and pairs with the Garmin Explore app for route planning. If you want breadcrumb navigation and basic tracking without burning phone battery, it works. If you need messaging, SOS, or full topo routing, step up to a GPSMAP 67.
00:00 eTrex Touch or Phone?
00:30 Battery Life
01:45 Accuracy
02:12 Software
03:25 Touchscreen
04:03 Maps & Navigation
05:00 Recommendations
---
*Disclaimer:*
Some of these links are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you. I only recommend gear I actually use and trust.
