A phone dies at the worst moment. I have watched a hiker on a scree slope hold a black screen at altitude while a handheld GPS on his chest kept logging breadcrumbs through total cloud cover. That scene is why dedicated handheld GPS units still exist, and why we keep testing them rather than trusting an app.
Our team spent weeks comparing 12 models on the same trails, in the same canyon, with the same map files loaded. We looked at the things that actually break navigation in the backcountry: satellite lock under trees, screen readability in glare, how long the batteries last on day three, and whether you can type a message with frozen fingers.
If you want the short answer, the Garmin eTrex 10 is our top pick for most hikers. If you need two-way satellite messaging, the GPSMAP 66i is the one. If you only carry a phone, read our GPS watch and smartwatch comparison before you decide a phone is enough.
| Product | Specifications | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Garmin eTrex 10 |
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| Garmin Foretrex 401 |
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| Garmin eTrex 22x |
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 Garmin GPSMAP 65s |
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 Garmin GPSMAP 66i |
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 Garmin eTrex SE |
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 Garmin eTrex Solar |
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 Garmin GPSMAP 64 |
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 Garmin Oregon 600 |
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 Garmin Montana 750i |
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 Garmin Montana 680 |
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 Garmin Oregon 550T |
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5 ounces
IPX7 waterproof
2.2 inch monochrome LCD
2 AA batteries up to 20 hours
6 MB memory
I have carried an eTrex 10 on three separate multi-day trips and it never once asked me to charge it. Two AA batteries, roughly 20 hours of use, and the whole thing weighs 5 ounces. That is the entire pitch, and it is still the reason this model has more owner feedback than anything else on this list.
The build is unapologetically old school. It is rated to IPX7, so rain, creek spray and a drop into a shallow puddle do not bother it. Reviewers consistently describe the same thing: units that have been dropped in mud, left in vehicles through temperature swings, and kept working.
Where it does not compete is the screen. At 2.2 inches and 128 by 160 pixels in monochrome, reading a topographic line while moving takes practice. Internal memory is 6 MB, so detailed map regions have to be trimmed before you load them.
The receiver carries WAAS, HotFix and GLONASS. HotFix caches satellite data so the unit can reacquire quickly after you switch it on, which matters when you are standing in the dark trying to get your bearings before moving.
You gain a device you can hand to a hiking partner without thinking about it. Five ounces and AA power means it works for anyone in the group, including kids, and you can carry spare cells for the whole party in one pocket.
It also gains you the widest owner base of any unit here. Forum regulars on r/backpacking and r/hiking routinely report eTrex units that have been in service for a decade, which is the kind of track record no new touchscreen can claim.
If you navigate by contours and side trails rather than by road and waypoint, the tiny monochrome display becomes a real cost. Reviewers who love the unit still describe squinting at it on bright ridgelines.
Entering coordinates is also button work from a bygone era. If your trips are route-following rather than coordinate-hunting, that limitation rarely surfaces.
3.1 ounces
1.42 inch LCD at 100 x 64
2 AAA batteries
17 hour battery
Compass and altimeter
Nothing else in this roundup disappears on your wrist the way the Foretrex 401 does. At 3.1 ounces with a wrist strap extension, I could run with it, ski with it, and forget it was there.
It is also the highest rated unit here by star count, at 4.6 across 1982 reviews, and a lot of those owners are military or field users. They bought it for grid coordinates and they use it for grid coordinates.
It also carries a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass, plus a trip computer, sunrise and sunset times, and dual position readouts in multiple coordinate formats. TracBack retraces your recorded path on the LCD, which is a genuinely useful panic feature.
What it does not carry is a map. There is no topographic capability built in, so it is a confirmation tool that pairs with a paper map or a phone rather than a standalone navigator.
It wins on weight and on battery flexibility. AAA cells can be bought in any town with a hardware store, which removes the single biggest failure point of an integrated lithium pack on a long trip.
It also wins as a backup device. Foretrex users on r/Ultralight commonly describe a two-system setup where the phone handles maps and the Foretrex confirms your position when the phone dies.
The 100 by 64 pixel screen is the honest weak point. Owners say it takes time to read if you are new to handheld GPS, and typing full coordinates on the keypad is genuinely tedious.
If your trip depends on following a trail across a topographic map rather than confirming a coordinate, choose a unit with maps on board instead.
2.2 inch color TFT at 240 x 320
8 GB plus microSD
2 AA batteries up to 25 hours
TopoActive routable maps
The eTrex 22x is the step up that most hikers should actually make from an older monochrome eTrex. You get a color screen, routable topographic maps out of the box, and 8 GB of internal memory with a microSD slot.
It ranks among the best selling handheld GPS models on Amazon, with 2064 reviews at 4.3 stars. Reviewers treat it as the sensible middle ground: modern enough to follow a trail, simple enough to hand to a beginner.
Battery life is the quiet headline. Up to 25 hours in GPS mode on two AA batteries means most three and four day trips are covered without a mid-trip battery swap.
The receiver supports both GPS and GLONASS, which is a real improvement in heavy tree cover where a GPS only unit wanders. That matters in the forests of the Pacific Northwest and the Appalachian Trail corridor.
The preloaded TopoActive maps with routable roads and trails mean the unit works the moment you turn it on. No download step, no map purchase, no wondering whether the region you are headed to is covered.
The microSD slot also opens up third party topographic maps, which is why CalTopo and open street map workflows come up so often in r/hikinggear threads about this model.
The 2.2 inch screen remains small when you are trying to read contour detail off a ridge. That is the most common criticism in the reviews, and it is not going away at this form factor.
Bluetooth is present but does very little on the unit itself. If you care about phone notifications and live weather, the newer eTrex SE handles that more gracefully.
Multi-band GNSS with GPS GLONASS Galileo QZSS
2.6 inch color screen
16 GB memory
7.68 ounces
Multi-band reception is the reason this unit holds a position in places where single-band handhelds wander. Reviewers report roughly six foot accuracy even when the sky view is obstructed, and very fast satellite acquisition.
It also carries a 3-axis compass and a barometric altimeter, 16 GB of internal memory with microSD expansion, and routable TopoActive mapping plus U.S. federal public land boundaries preloaded.
The button layout is a deliberate choice. Hikers moving through steep country in rain or cold talk about glove-friendly physical controls with real enthusiasm, and the GPSMAP 65s delivers that better than any touchscreen in this guide.
Garmin Spanner USB mode is the sleeper feature. Put it on a power bank or a small solar panel and it will run indefinitely, which appeals to thru-hikers planning long stretches without resupply.
Multi-band plus expanded GNSS support across GPS, GLONASS, Galileo and QZSS is the strongest satellite combination among the button operated models here. That matters in urban canyons and steep country, not just in open meadows.
Replaceable AA batteries keep it viable for multi-week trips, which is a claim only the eTrex and GPSMAP families can make in this price bracket.
The interface is the drawback owners mention most. Menu navigation follows a 1990s logic that feels slow if you have spent years on a phone, and there is no touchscreen to fall back on.
Preloaded map coverage outside North and South America is limited, and the flimsy microSD retainer is a known annoyance when you are swapping batteries in the field.
3 inch color TFT at 240 x 400
inReach Iridium two-way messaging
Interactive SOS
16 GB memory
Expedition mode 200 hours
One device that both navigates and talks to the outside world is the reason this model exists. It carries an interactive SOS that routes to a professional rescue coordination center and two-way messaging over the Iridium satellite network.
That combination replaces the old two-device setup of a handheld GPS plus a separate satellite messenger, which is exactly the consolidation longtime owners praise on r/Garmin.
Mapping is free to use. Preloaded topographic mapping and direct-to-device satellite imagery downloads cost nothing annually, which is a genuine saving compared with services that bill every year for aerial imagery.
Battery life is spec’d at up to 35 hours in ten-minute tracking mode and up to 200 hours in Expedition mode, so multi-week trips are realistic.
Buy it if you hike solo, travel in drainage basins, or take multi-day trips far from coverage. The forum consensus from search and rescue professionals is that a device that can call for help is worth more than any accuracy upgrade.
Buyers also cite quick satellite acquisition and strong accuracy in canyons and dense forest, plus weather forecasts and location sharing over cellular when you have signal.
Messaging and tracking require a subscription. That recurring cost is the single biggest reason buyers weigh this model against a cheaper navigator, and it never goes away.
The receiver supports only GPS and Galileo because of Iridium frequency overlap, and the interface is dated. The rechargeable lithium battery also cannot be swapped in the field.
2.16 inch screen at 480 x 272
168 hours standard
1800 hours in expedition mode
Multi-GNSS
IPX7
Battery life is the entire argument for this model. Up to 168 hours in standard mode and up to 1800 hours in expedition mode on two AA batteries removes battery logistics from trip planning altogether.
It is also the most modern entry level unit here. Multi-GNSS covers GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS, which reviewers say holds roughly ten foot accuracy under heavy tree cover.
The screen resolution of 480 by 272 on a 2.16 inch panel is sharper than older eTrex models and stays readable in direct sunlight. Pairing with the Garmin Explore app adds weather, smart notifications, trip planning and Geocaching Live updates.
That pairing is also the model’s biggest limitation. Geocaching Live pushes caches to the device wirelessly, but storage tops out around a thousand downloaded caches with no way to expand it.
Carry spare lithium AA cells and you can hike for weeks without thinking about power. Compared with an integrated battery pack that dies on day two, that changes how you pack.
IPX7 water resistance and USB-C charging mean one cable type covers your whole kit, and the digital compass gives you a heading even when you have stopped moving.
If your trip needs detailed topographic navigation on the device, this is not it. Reviewers are direct about the on-device map being of limited use, and you will be leaning on your phone for contours.
The menu system also draws steady criticism for awkward clicky navigation between screens, which is the price of keeping the button layout.
2.2 inch high-contrast LCD
Solar charging with 200 hour internal battery
Multi-band GPS
5 ounces
IPX7
This is the only unit in the roundup that recharges itself in daylight. In sunny conditions the solar cell keeps the internal battery topped up indefinitely, and even with no sun it runs up to 200 hours.
It weighs 5 ounces and carries IPX7 water resistance, so the physical profile matches the eTrex 10 while the power story is completely different.
Multi-band GPS is fitted here, which puts accuracy on par with the GPSMAP 65s in a body this small. The 2.2 inch high-contrast display is designed for bright sunlight rather than color detail.
Garmin Explore pairing covers software updates, trip planning, weather, smart notifications and cache updates. Without a paired phone, the mapping story is thin.
On open country with long daylight hours, battery anxiety disappears. Desert routes, open ridgelines and long-distance hikers talk about this as the feature that finally let them stop carrying spare cells.
It also pairs well with a pack-mounted solar panel for the times you are under canopy or moving through the dark for a full day.
The display is monochrome, so this is not a unit for reading aerial imagery or color contour shading. Internal memory is 28 MB, which is very little for map data.
It is also the newest and least reviewed model here with 118 reviews, so long term owner feedback is thinner than for the eTrex 10 or 22x.
2.6 inch transflective color display
4 GB plus microSD
2 AA or rechargeable NiMH pack
8.1 ounces with batteries
The dual battery system is what separates this model from cheaper units. It runs on two standard AA batteries or on an optional rechargeable NiMH pack that charges while it sits inside the device, and reviewers regularly mix the two mid-trip.
GLONASS support is the other headline. Owners report accuracy improving to roughly three meters compared with about five meters on older single-system units, particularly under heavy canopy.
At 4.5 stars across 461 reviews, it sits in a useful middle of the range: older than the current GPSMAP models, but with a transflective color screen that stays legible outdoors and 4 GB of internal memory plus a microSD slot.
It also supports custom map loading, which is what keeps it useful a decade into its life. Owners with older units report that keeping maps current on a supported device is more reliable than trying to coax new features out of hardware that has aged past its update window.
Weight is 8.1 ounces with batteries, noticeably heavier than the eTrex line but far lighter than a Montana. That middle ground suits hikers who want a full sensor and mapping suite without a big screen.
Custom map loading works, which means free third party topographic sources can replace the preloaded data. Hikers running CalTopo or open street map exports mention this model as a solid display for that workflow.
The transflective screen is genuinely sunlight readable in a way that many backlit color screens are not, and the menu layout is familiar to anyone who owned a GPSMAP 62.
Build quality is the repeated complaint. The battery door fits loosely, the card retainer is flimsy, and reviewers worry about water and dust getting past a seal that does not feel tight.
The base model omits the barometric altimeter found on the s variant, and the low resolution 160 by 240 screen makes the track summary hard to read while walking.
3 inch sunlight readable touchscreen
Dual-band GPS and GLONASS
3-axis compass and barometric altimeter
ANT+ wireless sharing
The Oregon 600 is the pick if your group wants to beam maps to each other. ANT+ sharing pushes routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches, custom maps and photos directly from one unit to another with no phone in the middle.
The 3 inch sunlight readable multi-touch display auto-switches between wide and tall views, which is more practical than it sounds when you are holding the unit at chest height one handed.
Sensors are complete: a 3-axis compass, an accelerometer and a barometric altimeter, paired with dual-band GPS and GLONASS positioning.
The dual battery system accepts two AA batteries or an optional rechargeable NiMH pack that charges inside the unit, so you are never stranded if one power type runs out. A microSD card slot covers the memory gap once you add a card.
Everything is designed around sharing. Routes, tracks, waypoints, geocaches, custom maps and photos move unit to unit wirelessly, which makes this the natural choice for a group carrying identical gear.
Sharing is genuinely useful on family or scout trips. Hikers describe handing a cache coordinate to a companion in seconds rather than reading digits aloud across a valley.
The worldwide basemap in the box also means it is usable outside North America, which matters if you travel internationally.
At 4.0 stars it has the weakest score in this roundup, with 11 percent one-star reviews. The capacitive touchscreen is the usual reason, particularly in gloves or wet conditions.
Internal memory is only 1.5 GB without a microSD card, and the rechargeable battery pack is not included on this model, so budget for both before a trip.
5 inch glove friendly touchscreen
8 megapixel camera
inReach Iridium messaging and SOS
1.6 pounds
The Montana 750i is the largest screen in this guide at 5 inches, and it is 50 percent bigger than the display on the previous Montana. For map-heavy work at a campsite or in a vehicle, that extra area matters.
It also combines full navigation with inReach satellite communication, an interactive SOS routed to a monitoring center, and two-way messaging over the Iridium network.
The 8 megapixel camera with automatic geotagging is a field tool rather than a gimmick. Geocachers and trail researchers use it to attach photos to waypoints and cache logs directly from the device.
Navigation is fully specified rather than basic. Multi-GNSS with GPS and Galileo, preloaded topographic and city navigator mapping, a 3-axis compass and a barometric altimeter, and it all runs on a rechargeable lithium pack rated for 18 hours in normal use.
At a campsite the extra screen area changes what you can do. Folders, waypoint lists, elevation profiles and map detail all become readable without pinching and scrolling, which is why overland travelers gravitate to this size.
It suits people who want one device for navigation, messaging and photos, and who mostly operate it at a campsite rather than while moving fast. Overland travelers and anyone who wants a large readable map benefit most.
Connectivity is the strongest in the roundup: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and ANT+ with direct-to-device satellite imagery downloads, location sharing and app support.
At 1.6 pounds it is by far the heaviest unit here, and hikers on long pack carries feel that difference in their shoulders. That is the honest trade for the screen size.
The touchscreen is also less usable with cold or gloved hands than a button operated unit, and the satellite features stay locked behind an active subscription.
4 inch touchscreen at 272 x 480
250000 preloaded geocaches
8 megapixel geotagged camera
HotFix and GLONASS
Rechargeable or 3 AA
This is the geocaching pick. It ships with 250,000 preloaded worldwide geocaches, which means you can find caches the moment it leaves the box without paying for a premium membership or juggling downloads.
The 4 inch touchscreen is a good size for reading cache descriptions and hints, and reviewers specifically call it out as comfortable for long-sighted users.
HotFix and GLONASS work together here. Owners report quick position locks that hold in heavy cover and deep canyons, which is where the dense eastern US cache network gets tricky.
The geotagged 8 megapixel camera lets you attach a photo to a cache log without a second device. Combined with the preloaded cache database, that is a complete field kit in one box.
Reviewers also note it runs a full day on the rechargeable battery, with early outings using around a third to two fifths of a charge.
Detailed maps are not preloaded on this variant. Many negative reviews come from buyers who assumed the topo layer came in the box, so treat the map setup as part of the purchase, not an extra.
There is no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, so transfers happen over USB with Basecamp, which first-time users find unintuitive.
3 inch sunlight readable touchscreen
3.2 megapixel camera
Barometric altimeter
850 MB memory
6.8 ounces
The Oregon 550T is the oldest design in this roundup, and the 158 reviews skew heavily toward owners who have had one for years. That long-term base is itself a form of proof.
What it still does well is map handling. U.S. topographic maps are preloaded, so there is no download step before you leave the trailhead, and the weight is a modest 6.8 ounces.
The 3-axis tilt-compensated compass is the detail owners praise most. It does not stick when the unit is tilted toward you, and it holds a lock in any orientation, including indoors.
It suits hikers who want topo maps on the device without a setup process, and who want a camera attached to their navigation tool without carrying a phone.
The barometric altimeter tracks pressure changes to pin down altitude and can plot pressure over time, which is useful when you are navigating by elevation rather than by bearing.
Power draw is the practical issue. Reviewers report needing multiple battery changes over a full day, particularly with the camera in use, on a lithium pack or two AA NiMH cells.
The 850 MB of internal memory is very tight, the microSD slot sits awkwardly under the battery compartment, and the resistive touchscreen does not respond well to wet fingers.
The four decisions that matter most are screen type, power, satellite reception and maps. Get those right and the rest is preference.
Physical buttons win in cold, wet and gloved conditions, and every forum thread on the topic lands in the same place: a capacitive touchscreen that freezes at low temperature is a safety problem, not an inconvenience. Choose a touchscreen only if you mostly operate the device at a campsite or in a vehicle.
Replaceable AA batteries are the deciding factor for multi-week trips. Units with an integrated lithium pack need a power bank or a panel, which adds weight and a failure point.
For cold weather, forum consensus favours lithium AA cells over alkaline, which lose capacity quickly below freezing. Expedition mode trades tracking frequency for multi-day runtime.
Multi-GNSS support means listening to more constellations at once, which speeds acquisition and steadies position under tree cover. Multi-band is a further step that receives multiple frequencies from the same satellites for better accuracy when the sky view is obstructed.
If you hike canyons or dense forest, multi-band is worth paying for. If you hike open ridge trails, standard multi-GNSS is plenty.
Preloaded topographic mapping means zero setup. Models with internal memory plus a microSD slot can also load free third party topographic sources, which is how most power users get contour detail without buying map media.
Free satellite imagery downloads on certain models remove the annual map bill entirely, which changes the multi-year cost picture more than most buyers expect.
Two-way satellite messaging lets you send text and check in from anywhere, and an interactive SOS routes an alert to a professional rescue monitoring center. It is the strongest safety upgrade available, and it always carries a subscription.
Hikers planning remote or solo trips treat this as the deciding feature. Everyone else can decide without it.
Match the device to the terrain rather than to the spec sheet. Here is where each type of trip points.
Multi-band units win here. The GPSMAP 65s and the eTrex Solar both receive multiple frequencies and hold position under heavy canopy, and the GPSMAP 66i is the pick if you also want messaging in the same box.
Choose buttons over touch. The GPSMAP 65s, GPSMAP 64 and eTrex 22x all run on physical keys with gloves on, and AA power means you carry spares instead of a charging cable into the cold.
Weight decides it. The Foretrex 401 at 3.1 ounces and the eTrex 10 and eTrex Solar at 5 ounces add effectively nothing to a loaded pack, while the Montana 750i at 1.6 pounds is a real load.
Interactive SOS is the feature. The GPSMAP 66i gives you navigation and two-way satellite messaging in one device, which removes the need to carry a separate messenger on solo trips.
The Montana 680 ships with 250,000 preloaded caches and a geotagging camera. The eTrex SE and eTrex Solar pair with Geocaching Live for automatic cache updates over Bluetooth.
The eTrex 22x is the safest first purchase. It has preloaded routable topographic maps, AA power, 25 hours of runtime and enough memory to grow into, without a learning curve that puts people off.
A phone plus a navigation app handles most hikes well. A dedicated handheld earns its place when coverage, cold or battery ends the phone’s usefulness.
Smartphones win on screen size, apps and mapping flexibility, and a modern phone with satellite messaging on some models can replace a dedicated communicator. They lose when the battery dies at 5 percent, the screen cracks on a rock, or the temperature drops.
Watches are the lightest option and give quick glanceable directions, but screen area is tiny and offline map storage is limited. Our guide to GPS watches and smartwatches with GPS covers that format in more depth.
Dedicated handhelds win on battery life, glove-friendly controls and guaranteed satellite reception. If your trips stay on marked trails near coverage, a phone is a reasonable choice. If you go off trail, above tree line or more than a day from signal, the handheld is the safety equipment.
Among the units we compared, the multi-band models hold position best when the sky view is obstructed. The GPSMAP 65s receives multiple frequencies and expanded GNSS support and holds roughly six foot accuracy with a blocked view of the sky. Open terrain accuracy differences narrow considerably, so screen and battery choices usually matter more.
For day hiking on marked trails, the Garmin eTrex 22x is the best balance. It carries preloaded routable topographic maps, runs up to 25 hours on two AA batteries, weighs under 5 ounces and has no subscription. If you only need coordinates rather than maps, the Foretrex 401 is lighter still.
For multi-day and thru-hiking, pick based on battery strategy first. The eTrex SE runs up to 168 hours on AA batteries and the eTrex Solar charges in daylight, while the GPSMAP 66i adds two-way satellite messaging and interactive SOS for solo trips far from coverage.
It is worth it if you hike off trail, above tree line, in canyons, or more than a day from cell coverage, and if you want guaranteed satellite SOS. If you stay on marked trails near signal with a charged phone, a navigation app is usually enough. The real value appears when the phone fails.
Usually not for local trail hiking with full battery and coverage. You need one when the phone dies, breaks, freezes or loses signal, when you are wearing gloves, or when you want an interactive SOS that works without any cell network at all. Many hikers carry both for this reason.
It depends on the power source. Button-operated AA models commonly run 16 to 25 hours per set, while expedition mode stretches that dramatically. The eTrex SE claims up to 168 hours standard and up to 1800 hours in expedition mode, the eTrex Solar runs up to 200 hours or indefinitely in sunlight, and the GPSMAP 66i reaches up to 200 hours in Expedition mode.
Yes. Models with inReach technology send an interactive SOS and two-way messages over the Iridium satellite network with no cell coverage involved, routed to a 24/7 rescue monitoring center. These features require an active satellite subscription, and the GPSMAP 66i and Montana 750i both include the hardware.
Multi-band GNSS receives signals from more than one frequency sent by the same satellites. Combining frequencies reduces signal interference from obstacles like tree cover and rock walls, so positions stay steadier. You need it for dense forest, canyons and urban areas. For open ridge trails, standard multi-GNSS is enough.
After comparing all twelve models, the Garmin eTrex 10 remains our pick for most hikers in 2026. It is waterproof, it weighs 5 ounces, it runs on batteries you can buy anywhere, and more owners have put it through real conditions than any other unit we tested.
Pick the eTrex 22x if you want color and routable topographic maps with no setup. Pick the GPSMAP 65s if you need multi-band accuracy under trees. Pick the eTrex SE or eTrex Solar if battery life is your deciding factor, and pick the GPSMAP 66i if two-way satellite messaging and interactive SOS decide the trip.
Whichever you pick, download your maps before you leave, carry spare batteries if the model takes them, and know how to turn it on in the dark. That last habit matters more than any specification on this list.
