Electronics
Staying safe is a priority, so our experts tested the best in electronics from Anker, Garmin, Coros, and more.
Small, portable, and plenty capable as a back-up just in case you get lost, the eTrex 10 is perfect for alpine climbing.
Credit: Aaron Rice
Outdoor adventures sometimes require tech for safety or convenience. It isn’t all fun and games. But who are we kidding, gadgets are fun too! Our outdoor enthusiasts bought and tested the electric goods to keep you on the path or send an SOS if you lose your way. With hours of exhaustive testing of GPS and altimeter watches, we keep things going with solar chargers and panels. For real-life electronics analysis, unbeholden to any manufacturer, we have the reviews you need.
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Best Picks in Electronics
Best Handheld GPS
Looking to improve your backcountry navigation? We bought and tested 7 of the best GPS units on the market to help you find the right one for your next dream trip.
Best GPS Watch of 2022
Looking for the perfect GPS watch? Our experts spent hours looking over options before choosing 12 of the most popular and high-tech to test side-by-side. We tested them while running...
Best Altimeter Watch of 2022
To help you find the best altimeter watch for your needs, we researched over 40 and bought the best to test side-by-side while summiting mountains, hiking through canyons, and climbing...
Best Portable Solar Charger of 2022
Are you in the market for a new solar setup? Perhaps the hundreds of options available online are a bit overwhelming? Look no further! We've reviewed over 65 solar panels before purchasing...
Best Satellite Messengers of 2022
We've got the most wilderness-savvy tech testers you have heard of. We look at satellite messengers first from the perspective of wilderness travelers and professionals, but also have a...
Best Walkie Talkies
We put 9 radios to a head to head test after scouring all of the top models on the market. After 150+ hours of testing in the field and lab, we have found the best walkie talkies and...Recent Gear Reviews in Electronics
Best Buy
Coros Pace 2 Review
This watch boasts exceptional performance for a fraction of the cost of most high-end GPS watches. Featuring 30-hour GPS battery life, high-end sensors, and a plethora of activity modes...
Best Buy
Coros Apex Pro Review
We tested this watch during ultra distance events, on training runs, and hiking through the mountains of Colorado. It continually wowed us with its extensive feature set at such a good...
Editors' Choice
Garmin inReach Mini 2 Review
How to make the best better? Give the venerated inReach Mini better battery life and a better user interface, without taking anything away. This device, of any iteration, is the best...
Best Buy
Somewear Global Hotspot Review
This device is compact and relatively affordable, especially considering that it uses the same technology employed by the top scorers. It is only a little heavier than the best but can be...
Best Buy
Garmin eTrex 32x Review
The addition of an electronic compass and barometric altimeter place this device well-above other price-point options. Small, lightweight, and impressively accurate, no longer does size...
Editors' Choice
BigBlue 3 Review
It functions well on every level; it charges quickly, has a large capacity, weighs less than many less-powerful panels, and doesn't put a dent in your bank account.Electronics Learning Center
How to Choose a Personal Locator Beacon
What device should you buy and for what application? Below we break it down. Once finished, however, do read our complete Personal Locator Beacon Review to find out how each device scored...
How to Choose a Solar Charger or Mini Solar Panel
Today, most outdoor enthusiasts expect to have their electronic devices on them while they recreate. From climbing to backpacking to fishing to biking, our electronic gadgets have now...
How to Choose a GPS Watch
Thinking of purchasing a GPS watch but you're not sure where to begin? The market is full of different options ranging from a simple tracker to a mini smartphone that lives on your wrist...
How to Choose a Handheld GPS
Tracking and Navigating Your Outdoor Activity In the "information age" and the era of the "quantified self", outdoor enthusiasts and athletes are looking to better track and monitor their...
How to Choose an Altimeter Watch
Whether you're a climber, skier, paraglider, pilot, backpacker, or hiker, an altimeter watch can provide many helpful functions to aid in any adventure. In addition to having the snazziest...
How to Choose a Walkie Talkie
Separation is going to happen in the backcountry - either by accident or on purpose. Do you have a way to communicate changes in plans when that separation does happen? A good set of...Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by Testing.
GearLab is founded on the principle of honest, objective, reviews. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison.
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