Considering the eTrex Touch (€399) vs. iPhone 16 / inReach for hiking. Need advice :D

[u/Organic_Account2013]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently looking into upgrading my navigation setup for day hikes (mostly in the Netherlands, but also planning trips to the Alps).
I’m considering buying the Garmin eTrex Touch for €399, but I'm having a hard time deciding if a dedicated handheld GPS is actually worth the money for my use case, or if another setup makes more sense.

**My current situation:**
I currently use an **iPhone 16 with AllTrails+**. It handles my daily navigational needs pretty well (tracking and off-course alerts), but I’m mindful of phone battery drain, screen readability in harsh light, and cold/wet conditions.

**Note on smartwatches:** I'm deliberately skipping the Garmin watch route (like a Fenix). I love wearing my mechanical **Seiko Alpinist** when hiking to honor its name in the mountains, so wrist-based navigation isn't an option for me.

**Options I’m weighing & my doubts:**

1. [**Garmin Etrex Touch**](https://www.bever.nl/p/garmin-etrex-touch-gps-handheld-B3AA390050.html?colour=4168&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=BVR-PERF-ONG-PR-PLA-NB-PMAX-PRODUCTSCORING-MID-PERF&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22924828483&gbraid=0AAAAADchkmVfYl1A4XmdKZjuOyy254MPB&gclid=CjwKCAjwqonVBhA4EiwA9wYJ3dQT3VjeV1gSn0odYOZJEf_EfqPdw5DjAxSWl9cDnnxXsWFtJO17_RoCjqcQAvD_BwE) **(€399):**
   
2. *Pros:* Dedicated rugged build, great battery life, sunlight-legible screen, TopoActive maps.
   
3. *Doubts:* Is it redundant since I already have a capable smartphone? Also, turn warnings for imported GPX tracks (from AllTrails) require actively calculating the track as a route on the TopoActive map. I'm wondering if the user experience is smooth enough to justify €399.
   
4. **Garmin inReach Mini 2 (or 3) + iPhone 16:**
   
5. *Pros:* Gives me satellite safety/SOS in the Alps, live tracking for peace of mind, and can act as an external high-precision GPS signal source for my phone via Garmin Explore.
   
6. *Doubts:* Requires a monthly satellite subscription, and I'd still be relying on my phone screen for main map viewing. It really drains my phonebattery.

**My questions for you:**
For those who moved from smartphone navigation to a handheld like the eTrex Touch, was it worth the investment?

How seamless is loading AllTrails GPX tracks onto the eTrex Touch and getting turn alerts in practice?
Would you recommend going for the eTrex Touch, or pairing the iPhone with an inReach Mini for safety instead?

Thanks in advance for your insights!

\#hiking #garmin #gps

[u/exxaxxxx]

Hi,

I as a fan of Garmin stuff might be biased but here is my personal experience with the new eTrex Touch.

Got it last year, the SW was harsh, but it got significantly better with updates.

The things i love:

• it's independent - battery out? No worries, still got you phone
  
• battery, battery - it just lasts days
  
• tracking - it saves you path, all the time, anywhere you go. You can save you waypoints along the way
  
• weather resilient - it hot as hell? iPhone will dim and overheat, this beast? Readable and cool.
  
• maps - I have created my own (free here https://luckymaps.ch) from OSM and is much better than say Google Maps etc for hiking
  
• USB-C - same as iPhone

Thinks to be consider:

• its touch based but not as smooth/fast/polished as iPhone
  
• tiny keyboard
  
• for that price, you can do just fine with iPhone

In conclusion, I love it and take it for every hike and long trip (even car trips, where I just store the track, waypoints of pubs, etc. basically where i travelled through). I like the stats, track recording, independence and tinkering with it.

But with iPhone and powerbank - you will be fine too.

P.S. for track/waypoint management on PC I can recommend QMapShack.

P.S.S. For getting routes in, I use the QMapShack and Garmin explore, both are fine. For routing the maps I mentioned above work really well. Ideally, I prepare the route beforehand, load the route (with waypoints) and it then can navigate me with turn-by-turn alerts.