This product is not available.

Explore the world empty-handed with the Garmin Foretrex 601 wrist-mounted GPS. Built to military standards, it keeps your bearings with 3 satellite systems and has a 2-day runtime in navigation mode.

Shop similar products

Features

  • 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis compass and a barometric altimeter help you know exactly where you are
  • Allow others to follow your journey (within cellular coverage) when you use the Garmin Connect Mobile app and LiveTrack feature
  • Works with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo satellite systems to provide accurate positioning
  • Receive notification of emails, texts and alerts on the device and upload data to Garmin Connect
  • Tougher than it needs to be, this durable unit is constructed to military standards (MIL-STD-810G) for thermal, shock and water performance
  • NVG mode makes screen compatible with night-vision goggles
  • Sensor compatibility: heart rate strap, speed/cadence sensor, Garmin VIRB action camera, Garmin tempe temperature sensor (all not included)
  • Uses 2 AAA batteries (sold separately); battery life exceeds 48 hrs. in navigation mode, up to 1 week in UltraTrac mode and up to 1 month in watch mode
  • Includes hook-and-loop wrist strap and strap extender; compatible with Garmin QuickFit 26 bands (not included; no tools required to install)

Imported.

View all Garmin GPS Devices

Technical Specs

Best Use

Backpacking

Backcountry Skiing

Hiking

Basemap

Yes

Wireless Communication

Yes

OS Compatibility

Windows / Mac

Display Size

2 inches

Screen Pixels

200 x 128 pixels

Number of Routes

20

Number of Waypoints

500

Compass

Yes

Altimeter

Pressure-based

Battery Type

Alkaline

Batteries

2 AAA (sold separately)

Average Battery Life

Navigation mode: 48 hrs.; UtraTrac battery saver mode: 1 week; watch mode: 1 month

Dimensions

2.9 x 1.7 x 0.9 inches

Water-Resistance Rating

IPX7

Weight

3.1 oz. (with batteries)

Reviews
21 reviews with an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars

Ratings Snapshot

Product Rating

12 out of 18 (67%) reviewers recommend this product

Review this Product

Adding a review will require a valid email for verification

Average Customer Ratings

Energy Efficiency

Short battery lifeExtended battery life

Most Helpful Favorable Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 5.0 out of 5 stars
Improvement over previous generation Garmin 401
marcw911
7 years ago
The display is excellent in both direct sunlight and lowlight. Lowlight is enhanced with backlighting. The operation, programming and menu structure is very similar to the 401. I can tell there is more processing horsepower in the 601. Everything seems faster. Being able to use 3 different satellites constellations for gps means very fast satellite acquisition, around 30 seconds indoors. There is Bluetooth connectivity with the iPhone but you still need to connect to a computer to upload and download track, route and waypoint data. Overall, I'm very happy with the upgrade from the 401.
marcw911
SF Bay Area
36 people found this review helpful

Most Helpful Critical Review

5 reviews with an average rating of 1.0 out of 5 stars
Delayed update of data
Harley
7 years ago
I‘buyed this device as a replacement for my older Foretrex 401, which was and still is a reliable gps device. The 601 compared to the 401 is not at all what has been promised, e.g slow update of display data (speed, direction, etc. ). With the high resolution of te display the lines are to much to small, so it‘s not easy to see them like the 401 was. The battery lifetime is much better, but it looks like they sacrified the speed to gain better battery time. I‘m very disatisfied and hope e future firmware update will fix at least the issues mentioned
Harley
21 people found this review helpful

Customer Images

Overkill
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Awesome! I can’t believe this isn’t more popular!

5 years ago

The pan track in this thing is awesome. It creates a breadcrumb trail as you walk. And of course you can set as many way points as you need. I would map out areas and take different paths each time I would go back to an area. I began to see how that area wove together. This thing has helped me find my way out of places not so well marked more than once. And this thing would get signal anywhere! I have gotten 4 days out of it. I would say after 2 days of continuous use, I would change them out. So awesome and not that expensive.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
marcw911
SF Bay Area
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Improvement over previous generation Garmin 401

7 years ago

The display is excellent in both direct sunlight and lowlight. Lowlight is enhanced with backlighting. The operation, programming and menu structure is very similar to the 401. I can tell there is more processing horsepower in the 601. Everything seems faster. Being able to use 3 different satellites constellations for gps means very fast satellite acquisition, around 30 seconds indoors. There is Bluetooth connectivity with the iPhone but you still need to connect to a computer to upload and download track, route and waypoint data. Overall, I'm very happy with the upgrade from the 401.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Anonymous
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Useless Garman GPS

4 years ago

I bought this GPS device to record the latitudes and longitudes of sites where I made biological sample. It took a very long time (excess of 10 minutes) for it to lock onto satellites, the coordinate readings were unsbable on a scale of seconds by degrees, and the readings disappeared entirely for several minutes from the screen. State regulation required me to record coordinates where I made samples. I was the failure of this device placed me in violation of my Alaska State permit. I returned it without any problems about 10 days after I bought it, but it created a major problem for me. I have had several other Garman devices that worked well, and I have no way of knowing whether this is a bad product or I got a bad one, but I certainly cannot recommend it..

Helpful?
82nd
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars

Good for what it is meant for

5 years ago

Stop complaining. This is meant to put a grid in and get to it, rinse and repeat. You want maps, get a full GPS system built for it. Stop downgrading things because you purchased the wrong item for your task. This works excellent to get from point A to B,C,D....in a hurry. Works excellent.

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Monty
San Diego, CA, United States
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Great for My Uses!

7 years ago

I wear this to both hike, run and out in the field (military). Nice piece of kit and battery life is good. Got the wrist strap for 401 and it fits well with a little wiggle but easy to deal with. Syncing with all three satellites is great. Still working with the software and uploading tracks but so far so good!!

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Bluesky rider
Colorado
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Not so useful

5 years ago

I recieved this as a gift. I wasn't sure how to use it as I have never felt that I needed GPS before. I am super comfortable with map and compass. The reviews were generally good so I decided to keep it. Big mistake. I should have returned it immediately as REI has a very limited return policy on electronics. There is no map feature on this device. You have to down load maps at Garmin's base camp ,then lay down a route, and then transfer it to this device. You will only have the route and waypoints. There is no data about surrounding trails, roads, or terrain. The Gaia app on my phone is way, way more useful than this device. I wish I had returned it for a store credit.

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Peter P
Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars

Best GPS I have ever used!

5 years ago

This GPS is very easy to use because you wear it like a watch. It is highly legible and can sync to your phone for messaging. Three satellite systems and a barometer/altimeter are a plus. Great battery life which can save your life (at least twice as long as other units I have used)!

Yes , I recommend this product
Helpful?
Harley
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Delayed update of data

7 years ago

I‘buyed this device as a replacement for my older Foretrex 401, which was and still is a reliable gps device. The 601 compared to the 401 is not at all what has been promised, e.g slow update of display data (speed, direction, etc. ). With the high resolution of te display the lines are to much to small, so it‘s not easy to see them like the 401 was. The battery lifetime is much better, but it looks like they sacrified the speed to gain better battery time. I‘m very disatisfied and hope e future firmware update will fix at least the issues mentioned

No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
Tahoe
Lake Tahoe
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

I like Garmin products but

5 years ago

I have a garmin 130 garmin Oregon 600 with topo maps a garmin 310xt and a garmin 305 that I brought with me today on a 13 mile wilderness trail run. Until my purchase of the 601 I never had a problem with garmin products This is my second 601 that has poor gps reception. On return back to home gives reading that are off the scale. Will not clear total miles so on return or back to start. The previous miles are added to the current mileage . Cannot clear total miles. I called garmin and there customer service was horrible they wanted $87.00 dollars for a unit purchased on March 22

Age:55–64
No, I do not recommend this product
Helpful?
cbrewer
DC
Rated 1.0 out of 5 stars

Garmin 601

4 years ago

I love Garmin, and I love Foretrex’s. But for some reason this unit refuses to detect ANY satellites. It sat outside for hours with various GPS settings on/off. Nothing. Not even POOR reception. It’s almost like it doesn’t have an antenna. I don’t live on a remote Pacific island. I live in rural Maryland. Gonna have to return it. I’m going to exchange it for another because it deserves a second chance. We’ll see.

No, I do not recommend this product

Energy Efficiency

Short battery lifeExtended battery life
Helpful?
1 - 10 of 21 Reviews

Questions & Answers

Loading Questions...