The table below compares the latest Garmin marine handheld GPS models available to buy from ActiveGPS including the Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus, Garmin GPSMAP 86i, Garmin GPSMAP 79s, Garmin GPSMAP 67i, Garmin GPS 73, Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus, Garmin inReach Mini 3, Garmin inReach Mini 2 and Garmin inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle.
The comparison table below highlights the main comparison features e.g. screen size, satellite messaging, battery life, number of waypoints, whether the unit has a built-in compass and altimeter, etc to enable you to identify and see the difference between the Garmin marine handheld models.
Want to compare the Garmin marine handheld range alongside other Garmin marine devices? Please see the full marine GPS comparison table.
Garmin marine handheld product features comparison
| Model | Screen | Touchscreen | Satellite Messaging | Battery Life | Compass and Altimeter | NMEA 0183 Compatible | Preloaded Mapping | Paperless Geocaching | Waypoints / Routes | Built-in Memory | Floats on Water | Weight | From | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus |
3.5-inch | Yes | Yes (inReach) | Up to 48 hours (inReach mode) / up to 840 hours (Expedition mode) | Yes | Yes | Worldwide Basemap | Yes | Unlimited | 64GB | No | 290g | £849.99 | Flagship touchscreen handheld with cameras and longest battery life for serious multi-day expedition and marine use |
 Garmin GPSMAP 86i |
3-inch | No | Yes (inReach) | Up to 35 hours (LiveTrack mode) | Yes | Yes | Worldwide Basemap | Not confirmed | 10,000 / 250 | 16GB | Yes | 272g | £499.99 | Dual land and marine use, with autopilot/FUSION remote control |
 Garmin GPSMAP 79s |
3-inch | No | No | Up to 19 hours (2 AA batteries) | Yes | Yes | Worldwide Basemap | Yes | 10,000 / 250 | 8GB | Yes | 282g | £299.99 | Affordable floating handheld with long-life AA battery power for boaters who do not need satellite messaging |
 Garmin GPSMAP 67i |
3-inch | No | Yes (inReach) | Up to 165 hours (tracking mode) / up to 425 hours (expedition mode) | Yes | Yes | TopoActive Europe (no water-depth data) | Yes | 10,000 / 250 | 16GB | No | 230g | £499.99 | Longest GPSMAP battery life plus inReach messaging for multi-day trips ashore and afloat |
 Garmin GPS 73 |
2.6-inch | No | No | Up to 18 hours (2 AA batteries) | No | Yes | None | Not confirmed | 1,000 / 50 | None | Yes | 203.1g | £159.99 | Entry-level, budget marine handheld with SailAssist |
 Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus |
1.9-inch colour touchscreen | Yes | Yes (inReach) | Up to 350 hours (low power messaging, 10 minute tracking) / up to 1 year (turned off) | Yes | Not stated | None | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | 123g | £439.99 | Ultra-compact satellite communicator with colour touchscreen plus voice and photo messaging |
 Garmin inReach Mini 3 |
1.9-inch colour touchscreen | Yes | Yes (inReach) | Up to 350 hours (10 minute tracking) / up to 1 year (turned off) | Yes | Not stated | None | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | 122g | £389.99 | Ultra-compact satellite communicator with colour touchscreen, built-in compass and altimeter |
 Garmin inReach Mini 2 |
0.9-inch monochrome | No | Yes (inReach) | Up to 14 days (tracking mode) / up to 30 days (power saving mode) | No | No | None | No | Not stated | Not stated | No | 100g | £249.99 | Ultra-compact satellite communicator for backup safety and messaging, not a full navigation unit |
 Garmin inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle |
0.9-inch monochrome | No | Yes (inReach) | Up to 14 days (tracking mode) / up to 30 days (power saving mode) | No | No | None | No | Not stated | Not stated | No (floatation lanyard included) | 100g | £319.99 | inReach Mini 2 pre-bundled with marine mount, 12V power cable and floatation lanyard for boat installation |
Optional Garmin maps by model
The GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 79s and GPSMAP 67i all accept optional Garmin maps on microSD/SD card, in addition to their preloaded worldwide basemap. The GPS 73, inReach Mini 3 Plus, inReach Mini 3, inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle do not accept additional Garmin maps.
| Model | Optional Garmin maps |
|---|---|
| Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus | GB Discoverer, TOPO, City Navigator, BlueChart |
| Garmin GPSMAP 86i | GB Discoverer, TOPO, City Navigator, BlueChart |
| Garmin GPSMAP 79s | GB Discoverer, TOPO, City Navigator, BlueChart |
| Garmin GPSMAP 67i | GB Discoverer, TOPO, City Navigator, BlueChart |
| Garmin GPS 73 | None |
| Garmin inReach Mini 3 Plus | None |
| Garmin inReach Mini 3 | None |
| Garmin inReach Mini 2 | None |
| Garmin inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle | None |
Want to compare other Garmin marine ranges?
The above table only features the Garmin marine handheld models that you can buy from ActiveGPS. If you would like to compare marine models from a different Garmin range e.g. marine chartplotters, please click on the relevant link below to compare models:
‣Chartplotter comparison table
‣Fishfinder comparison table
Want to compare the Garmin marine handheld range alongside other Garmin marine ranges e.g. GPSMAP chartplotters? Please see the full marine GPS comparison table.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is the difference between these Garmin marine handheld GPS models?
A. The range spans from the flagship GPSMAP H1i Plus, a 3.5-inch touchscreen handheld with built-in inReach messaging and the longest battery life, down to the GPSMAP 86i, 79s and 67i button-controlled handhelds, the budget GPS 73, and the compact inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle satellite communicators. Screen size, satellite messaging, battery life, mapping and price all vary considerably across the range, so the best choice depends on whether you need a full mapping GPS or a lightweight safety companion.
Q. Which of these models have inReach satellite messaging?
A. The Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 86i, GPSMAP 67i, inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle all include built-in inReach satellite messaging, giving two-way messaging and SOS coverage via the Iridium satellite network with no mobile signal required. The Garmin GPSMAP 79s and Garmin GPS 73 do not include inReach or any satellite messaging.
Q. How long does the battery last on each model?
A. Battery life varies significantly by model and depends on which power mode is used. The GPSMAP H1i Plus offers up to 48 hours with inReach enabled and up to 840 hours in Expedition mode alone, the GPSMAP 67i offers up to 165 hours in tracking mode and up to 425 hours in expedition mode, and the GPSMAP 86i offers up to 35 hours in LiveTrack mode. The GPSMAP 79s and GPS 73 run on 2 AA batteries for up to 19 and 18 hours respectively, while the inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle last up to 14 days in tracking mode or up to 30 days in power saving mode. These figures are not directly comparable as each is measured under different conditions - check the individual product page for details on the mode used.
Q. Which of these models float on water?
A. The Garmin GPSMAP 86i and GPSMAP 79s both float on water, making them suitable for use around lakes, rivers or at sea where there is a risk of dropping the device overboard. The GPSMAP H1i Plus, GPSMAP 67i, inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle do not float on their own, though the inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle includes a floatation lanyard as part of the bundle.
Q. Should I choose a GPSMAP handheld or an inReach Mini 2 for marine use?
A. The GPSMAP H1i Plus, 86i, 79s and 67i are full mapping handhelds with larger screens and preloaded worldwide basemaps, designed to be used as your primary navigation device. The inReach Mini 2 and inReach Mini 2 Marine Bundle are ultra-compact satellite communicators with a small monochrome display, best used as a backup safety and messaging device alongside a chartplotter or another primary GPS, rather than as a standalone navigation unit.
Garmin Authorised Internet Retailer
We are official Internet Retailers of Garmin products and we sell genuine Garmin accessories and maps. We purchase from the Garmin UK distributor. We do not buy on the grey market and we do not sell counterfeit products. You can rest assured that by purchasing from ActiveGPS.co.uk you will receive the full support of Garmin.
This page was last updated on: 16th September 2026
