Garmin GPSMAP H1

The latest addition to the Garmin line of recreational navigation is their GPSMAP H1 GPS Handheld Navigator, released September 2025. The ‘H’ indicates hybrid functionality, combining both touchscreen operation and physical buttons. The H1 is available in two models. The standard H1 includes Garmin’s most current navigational functionality, while the H1i Plus adds satellite communication and emergency messaging on top of that. Garmin Australia provided Australian Hunter with a GPSMAP H1 GPS Handheld Navigator for review.

The H1 GPS can be paired to your smartphone via the Garmin Explore app. This is a simple and quick procedure. Once paired, the H1 will automatically connect to your phone as soon as it is in range, adding to the versatility of planning and navigation. Rather than simply repeating user-guide information here, I will keep this at an overview level. The user guide for the H1 and H1i is available as an 80-page pdf document on the Garmin website and there are also numerous YouTube videos providing detailed information.

Comparing both H1 models

The H1 represents further refinement of Garmin’s intuitive interface, something users of older models will notice immediately. Screen user features are similar to smartphone controls, with the option to revert to a more classical GPS screen layout if preferred. The control displays are easily customisable to suit individual user preference. I like the chunky, industrial feel of the unit, which lends itself well to rugged outdoor use. I particularly like the combination of buttons and touchscreen. Touchscreens are near universal in modern electronics, but as anyone who has tried to use a touchscreen GPS while bouncing around in an off-road ATV will know, buttons often work better. That is something that Garmin’s desk-bound, Gen-Z techs and designers have done well to remember.

The H1 uses the US GPS satellite system as well as GLONASS and Galileo. This combination ensures rapid satellite acquisition and better location accuracy. The H1 does far more than simply tell you where you are. There is a long list of features, but I will mention just a few that will be of particular interest to hunters. The H1 can be linked to and display hunting-dog GPS collar positions, ideal for keeping track of pig and sambar hunting packs in rugged terrain. There is an expansive and highly detailed applied ballistics section that delivers aiming data for long-range shooters. Garmin Share allows easy sharing of navigation and location data between Garmin GPS units. A siren feature can be activated to generate a penetrating alarm sound, which could be a lifesaver for injured adventurers trying to get the attention of rescuers. For boaties, the H1 provides marine alarms for course deviation, shallow water and drifting at anchor. The unit also comes with a solid selection of pre-loaded maps. Additional topographic maps and satellite imagery are easily downloaded via the Garmin Explore smartphone app with a Wi-Fi connection.

Modern GPS devices are not just for epic wilderness trekking. They can be of great value even when hunting country you know well. I run a string of trail cameras on the properties where I hunt dogs and deer, placing them to be unobtrusive to any passers-by. I have only lost a couple of cameras over many years of doing this, and don’t believe they were stolen – I simply forgot where they were. Putting up half a dozen in a hurry, spread over a kilometre or two on dusk, didn’t help. Now I make a habit of switching on my GPS and recording each location.

Similarly, many of the deer I shoot are harvested right on dusk. The terrain is open, rolling ridge country with deep grass. I quickly break the carcass down and then trek back to fetch the vehicle to drive in for easy recovery. In these situations, recording the location of the kill is well worth the effort. Familiar paddocks look very different at night and a carcass in long grass can be hard to spot, even when standing beside it. Another application, learned the hard way, comes when hunting sunset into the night. At certain times of the year, heavy mists role in after about 9pm. If you have been chasing boars and dogs in the dark with thermal gear, the sudden arrival of mist can make finding your way back to the vehicle a challenge. Once again, using your GPS to mark the vehicle makes for a stress-free return after hours of chasing ferals. There are many other useful applications for GPS use, but these examples are enough. Switching on my GPS before I leave the vehicle is now routine.

Garmin has been a leader in GPS technology for decades, and this new model is another example of steadily refined functionality and ease of use. It will undoubtedly prove to be a popular choice for recreational adventurers. Recommended Australian retail pricing is $1149 for the H1 model and $1749 for the H1i Plus.

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Shared Features of the GPSMAP H1 and GPSMAP H1i Plus

• 3.5″ (89mm) colour touchscreen
• Multi-band GNSS for improved positional accuracy
• Hybrid controls – touchscreen and physical buttons
• MIL-STD 810 for thermal shock, water and vibration resistance
• IP67 rated for water resistance
• Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and ANT+ for device inter-connectivity
• Pair with smartphone via Garmin Explore app
• Direct sharing of information between compatible Garmin devices without the need for Wi-Fi or cabling
• Preloaded TopoActive maps and ability to download high-resolution satellite imagery
• Up to 145 hours in GPS mode, longer with Expedition mode
• Built-in flashlight and siren.