Garmin  GPSMAP 66i

I am a GPS professional and have collected about 5,600 miles of survey data from various long trails. The official routes of the Colorado Trail and Continental Divide Trail are based upon my data. . I recieved a new Garmin 66i last week and I have been rigorously testing it. This new device represents a big step forward as it combines Garmin GPS capabilities with the communication features of the Garmin (formerly Delorme) Inreach. The Inreach has proven itself to be an incredible communication device for checking in or initiating a rescue from areas with no phone service. As a navigation device, however, the Inreach has been a disappointment. It’s navigation capabilities would have have been cutting edge 20 years ago, but are woefully inadequate compared to the abilities of the currently produced GPS devices. It’s maximum capacity of 500 waypoints was a deal breaker for most uers. (Our CDT Bearcreek database consists of nearly 9,000 waypoints) There is no SD card reader as well, so for a long hike the unit requires reprogramming via a internet connected PC every 500 waypoints. Although many are carrying the units for communications, not many use them for navigation. As a point of reference, Garmin units produced nearly 20 years ago had similar or more capabilities. I have always thought that Garmin would have a big success on their hands if they took the communications features of the Inreach and and merged the GPS software from the newer Garmin units. That has become a reality with the 66i. Garmin purchased rights to the Delorme Inreach in 2016. They basically re-branded the Delorme unit at first, then made a few improvements to the screen size and resolutions, but the 500 waypoint limit remained. The development of the mini reduced the size and weight, but still has the waypoint limitations. The 66i breaks with all that. It combines the Inreach features with a state of the art GPS device. It has a waypoint capacity of 10,000 points and will hold the entre CDT waypoint list with room to spare. It also accepts POI files, so the number of waypoints is almost unlimited. And it accepts 24K detailed maps produced by Mapsource or available on Garmin SD cards. The Inreach Explorer weighs 6.9 ounces. At 8.5 ounces, the 66i weighs 1.6 ounces more than the Inreach. It is larger as well. The size and weight might be a deal breaker for some, but if you are carrying an Inreach plus a GPS it makes weight sense to replace both of those with a single device. Most hikers are carrying a smartphone as well, with Guthooks being the most popular navigation program. The interactive nature of the phone apps can’t be duplicated in a stand alone GPS, but It is prudent to have a redundant means of navigation such as printed maps plus compass or a second device in case one runs out of power or stops working. I intend to replace my Inreach with the 66i, but will continue to use my cellphone running Guthook as my go-to device. Garmin was the first company to sell a recreational grade GPS that utilized both the US GPS system and the Russian GLONASS system, a feature that had previously only been seen in high end commercial units. The blending of both systems was somewhat revolutionary as it effectively doubled the number of satellites available making the units perform much better in obstructed environments such as under tree cover or in steep terrain than GPS alone. The time it takes from when the unit is powered up to when it is displaying accurate data is also accelerated. BTW, most smartphones also have the dual US/Russian satellites configured. An interesting and unique feature of the 66i is that Garmin has replaced the Russian GLONAAS system with the European Galileo system. Galileo is the European Union’s global navigation satellite system that became active in 2016. Galileo is a stand alone sub meter accuracy positioning system which eliminated the need for the EU to be dependent upon the U.S. GPS or Russian GLONASS systems which can be disabled or degraded by their respective military commanders. Odds and ends: One issue right now is that in order to send messages with the 66i you need to be connected to your smart phone via a phone book, or carry a printed list of contacts. As of now there is not a built in contacts book like the one in the Inreach. And as near as I can tell the weather function is not fully implemented yet. Garmin’s technical staff say that these issues will be addressed in future software releases. A number of the Inreach units have accidentially sent out SOS messages because the unit was squeezed and the SOS button was pushed. The 66i has a protective cover that has to be opened to access the button, which should correct this issue. As in previous Inteach units, the 66i uses the Iridium satellite phone network which is generally preferred over other providers.

For 500-$600 it’s not great. If you are wanting to navigate land for multiple days on end, it’s ok. If you’re using it as a backup device, it’s good just expensive. Here’s my recommendation if you need a SOS communicator and maps: get GAIA GPS on your phone/iPad ($35 for 5 years) and the InReach Mini (if you can catch a sale especially). Then keep the other $300 you would have spend on 66i. Here’s why. GAIA GPS has infinity better mapping capabilities. If your phone has GLONAS, you have the same connectivity as the 66i. Gaia is faster, there’s more maps, it’s cheaper, more intuitive, more expandable memory capabilities t (max 48gb on 66i). Gaia is far better that the 66i for navigating/exploring. The inReachMini for SOS. The 66i excels if you don’t have any other GPS available, you will not be carrying a cellphone with Gaia, are out for many days on end (more than a phone with a battery bank), if you need a redundant map (great idea), OR if you need to send longer messages to someone (the inReachMini can only do this when connected to a phone) 66i is great if it’s your primary device or a backup for everything (maps and coms) and you need multiple days on end. 66i is not great if you just need SOS and complex maps. Go with inReach mini and GAIA. I had GAIA on my phone and the 66i for 6 days in MT (three days overnight in wilderness, break, followed by two days overnight). I only used the 66i to send messages to loved ones (no SOS was needed) - which the inreach mini can do - I did not use the 66i at all for navigation. Not to mention your $500-600 device requires a $65 per month subscription for weather, messages, SOS. And it needs a $75 upgrade for GPS navigation. All I’m saying is look at GAIA and in reachmini if you need maps and SOS only. If you want a great back up, 66i is great just charges way too much for it. I don’t regret buying it. But I don’t keep my subscription up, and I use Gaia 99.999% of my time outdoors. 66i mainly collects dust in my gear box.