Pint-Sized Powerhouse

The Garmin GPSMap 86 family is a powerhouse of communication and connectivity. With a dizzying array of technology inside, this handheld provides two-way satellite messaging, GPS chart plotting and integrations with many onboard electronics, all in a compact, weather-resistant, buoyant device.

Handheld GPS units haven’t changed a whole lot since the mid-90s, when features included location display, a basic trip computer and perhaps a low-res map view. Garmin’s GPSMap 86 series improves on these old features by introducing two-way satellite messaging, high-res Garmin G3 charts and a toolbox full of other functions. The GPSMap 86 series replaces a few products in Garmin’s product line, serving as the update to both the venerable GPSMap 78 and the inReach Explorer+.

The $650 GPSMap 86sci is the first full-featured marine GPS handheld with inReach capabilities built with Garmin’s G3