Garmin GPSMAP H1/ H1 Plus vs GPSMAP 67/ 67i – should you upgrade?
Garmin's GPSMAP 67 and 67i have been our go-to handhelds for the past couple of years. Rugged, reliable, superb battery life and global multi-GNSS support. With the launch of the Garmin GPSMAP H1 and Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus in September 2025, plenty of customers have been asking whether it is time to move on from their trusty 67.
An update since we wrote this. The GPSMAP 67 (the navigation-only model) has now been discontinued by Garmin. The 67i, with inReach satellite messaging, is still very much available and remains one of our best sellers. So if you are weighing these units up today, the honest choice is between the 67i, the H1 and the H1i Plus. Everything below still applies if you own a 67 and are wondering whether to upgrade.
Below we break down what is new, and give our honest view on whether the upgrade is worth it for different types of walker.
Bigger display and hybrid controls
The first thing you notice is the size difference. The 67 and 67i have a 3 inch transflective screen operated entirely by physical buttons. That old-school interface is bomb-proof in wet and cold conditions and helps preserve battery life. The new H1 and H1i Plus have a 3.5 inch colour touchscreen paired with physical buttons. You can tap and swipe like a smartphone, or fall back to the buttons when you are wearing gloves. The hybrid controls make menu navigation faster and more intuitive, though the larger screen and touch panel do add a few grams - the H1 units weigh about 276g against 230g for the 67 series.
We like the bigger display for map detail and general ease of use, particularly when zooming in on satellite imagery. But if you prefer the tactile certainty of buttons and can live with a smaller screen, the 67i is still an excellent unit.
Navigation and mapping enhancements
Under the bonnet, all of these models offer multi-band GNSS (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, QZSS, BeiDou and IRNSS) for precise positioning even under dense canopy or in steep valleys. Both generations come pre-loaded with TopoActive maps and let you download high-resolution satellite imagery over Wi-Fi. A subscription to Garmin's Outdoor Maps+ service unlocks extra topographic layers and fresh water features.
Where the H1 units pull ahead is memory. They have 64GB of internal storage against 16GB on the 67 series, and they accept micro-SD cards up to 1TB (the 67 series tops out at 32GB). More memory means you can carry detailed mapping and satellite imagery without juggling data.
Garmin has also added some quality-of-life features on the H1, such as ascent planning, which shows upcoming climbs on your route, and tighter integration with the Garmin Explore app for trip planning.
Communication and safety - what is the difference?
The biggest reason to consider an upgrade is communication. Here is how the current models stack up.
GPSMAP 67i - Adds inReach satellite messaging to the classic 67 platform. You can send and receive two-way text messages, share your live location and trigger an SOS via the Iridium network. Battery life is around 165 hours in 10-minute tracking mode, which is still remarkable. The 67i remains one of the best all-round handheld GPS and messaging devices on the market, and it is one of our best-selling units.
GPSMAP H1 - A navigation-only unit. There is no messaging, but you get far more memory, a larger screen, hybrid controls and some genuinely useful safety tools: a bright LED flashlight and a loud siren built into the device. Those can matter if you become separated from your group or need to signal for help.
GPSMAP H1i Plus - This introduces inReach Plus. It does everything the 67i does, and more. Thanks to an integrated camera and microphone you can send photos and voice memos alongside text messages from deep in the hills. It also supports voice control, so you can set waypoints or request weather updates hands-free, and off-grid weather forecasts come in by satellite. Battery life is rated at about 145 hours in GPS mode - respectable, though shorter than the 67 series.
For reference, the now-discontinued GPSMAP 67 was the pure navigator of the range: mapping, waypoints and track recording, but no satellite messaging. If that is what you own, the H1 is its natural successor.
Our view on communications
If all you need is two-way texting and an emergency SOS, the 67i remains the sweet spot. It is lighter, lasts longer and costs a good deal less than the H1i Plus. The H1i Plus is aimed at expedition leaders and professionals who genuinely need to send visual or audio information from the field. For most walkers and climbers, those extras are nice to have rather than essential.
Battery life and performance
Long battery life is one of the reasons many walkers still prefer a standalone GPS over a phone. The 67 series shines here: the 67i manages around 165 hours in 10-minute tracking mode and 425 hours in expedition mode with messaging enabled.
The H1 and H1i Plus are more power-hungry, thanks to the larger touchscreen and faster processor. Garmin rates them at 145 hours in GPS mode. That is still plenty for multi-day trips, especially if you carry a power bank, but it is worth thinking about if you routinely head off-grid for weeks at a time.
Which one should you choose?
For UK hillwalkers and general outdoor use: The GPSMAP 67i is still a superb choice. It is tough, light, has outstanding battery life, and the inReach messaging gives you a backup channel when your phone has no signal. If you often walk solo, that peace of mind is worth a great deal.
Below - a walk and talk with the GPSMAP 67 series. The 67i is the same unit shown here, with inReach satellite messaging added.
For those wanting the latest tech without messaging: The GPSMAP H1 gives you a bigger screen, far more storage, and handy extras like the siren and flashlight. A good fit if you value ease of use and modern mapping but do not need satellite messaging. It is the natural upgrade from a 67.
For professionals and serious adventurers: If you guide groups, work in remote places or need to share images and audio with colleagues, the GPSMAP H1i Plus is a genuine step forward. The camera, voice memos and voice control can save time and carry crucial information in an emergency. Just be prepared to pay for it, and to carry a spare power bank.
Still torn?
Let me tell you which one I would choose for you
These are all excellent units, and the right answer depends entirely on how and where you walk, whether you need Ordnance Survey mapping, and whether satellite messaging genuinely matters for the kind of trips you do. Tell me a little about your walking and I will come back to you personally with the one unit I would pick, and a walk and talk video of it out on the hill. Free, and no hard sell - if the cheaper option is the right one for you, I will say so.
Get my free GPS recommendation →Takes about a minute. I will come back to you personally.
Final thoughts
The H1 series shows there is still real innovation to be found in handheld GPS. The larger display, hybrid controls and improved memory make navigation more pleasurable, while the H1i Plus pushes the boundaries of off-grid communication. That said, the 67i is far from obsolete. Its robust build, outstanding battery life and reliable inReach messaging mean it still deserves a place in your kit bag, and it remains one of the units we sell most of.
In the end, your choice should reflect the walking you actually do. For a great many UK walkers, the 67i will continue to serve admirably. If you want the cutting edge of mapping and communication, and do not mind the higher price, the H1i Plus is waiting for you.
Below - Garmin's in-depth walk-through of the GPSMAP H1 and H1i Plus.
Upgrading from a 67?
If you are moving to one of the new units, you can get an instant trade-in value for your old unit here.
More info