The Best GPS Devices for 2024 (2024)

FAQs

What is the best GPS for 2024? ›

The Garmin GPSMAP 66st is at the top of its class in terms of accuracy and reliability, earning it our top honors. It boasts a powerful quad-helix antenna and reliably connects to more satellite networks with greater accuracy than most other models.

Quantum navigation is being trialled in boats, planes and underground trains to see if it can replace – or be a back-up for – satellite-based navigation systems like GPS. GPS and its like are susceptible to accidental and deliberate outages, whereas quantum navigation is 'unjammable', say experts.

GPS III Space Vehicles 7–10 are in storage and available for launch. The next generation of GPS satellites continues development. The October 2022 contract award for GPS III Follow-On (GPS IIIF) satellites will onboard additional capabilities.

Galileo: Europe's High Precision System

Galileo, the European Union's flagship global navigation satellite system, represents the pinnacle of GNSS technology with a focus on precision and reliability.

Unfortunately, no GPS tracker without monthly fee seems to meet all the requirements. Some lack either real-time tracking or unlimited distance tracking, thus they do not fully ensure the safety of your loved ones.

Number of Satellites and Accuracy

GPS currently has 31 operational satellites in its network, while GLONASS has 24, Galileo has 30, BeiDou has 35, and QZSS has 7. Due to the larger number of satellites, GNSS can provide more accurate location information than GPS alone.

For multi-stop route planning, consider Routific, Route4Me, or RoadWarrior. For live traffic info, look at Waze, ViaMichelin, or Bing Maps. For outdoor adventures, the best choices are Komoot, PlotaRoute, or AllTrails. For public transit, choose Here WeGo, Apple Maps, or CityMapper.

What is the latest GPS technology? ›

The newest satellites, dubbed GPS III, are built by Lockheed Martin and provide three times greater accuracy and much-improved anti-jamming abilities than previous variants. They also offer a capability called M-code, which offers a secure and accurate signal for military users.

GPS does not require any form of internet connectivity. GPS depends on signals from satellites. Anyone can harness these signals using a GPS receiver. You can test this fact by turning off the internet connection on your phone and using Google Maps.

Google Maps

With features like satellite imagery, 360° street view with augmented reality, and route planning for trips by foot, car, bicycle, air, and public transportation, there's a reason why Google Maps is the most popular among free map applications.

This network produces extremely accurate navigation capabilities. As such, GPS units are not obsolete. In fact, they're far from it. As of right now, there are no plans to replace the GPS navigation system as there are simply no viable options to do so.

These navigation systems all have different ways they calculate their routes and will therefore have different ETAs. Of the navigation systems tested (Bing Maps, Here, Google Maps, MapQuest, and Waze), the most accurate appears to be MapQuest, and the least accurate appears to be Bing Maps.

Based on open sky conditions, the Google Pixel 6 has the best position accuracy at 2.7 m, followed very closely by the Samsung Galaxy S21 at 2.77 m. The Motorola One 5G comes next at 3.22 m, and the Apple iPhone 13 trailing that at 3.95 m.