Grand Canyon GPS Test - Garmin vs Apple

A hardcore GPS test with Garmin, Apple, and Android units in the walls of the Grand Canyon.

00:00 Testing Area
00:20 GPS Units
00:55 GPS Results

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@Garmin @Apple @Ulefone

In a detailed "Apple vs Garmin" extreme GPS test conducted in the rugged terrains of the Grand Canyon, the reliability of various GPS devices was put to the ultimate challenge. The Grand Canyon GPS Test, held at Skeleton Point on the South Kaibab Trail, was designed to evaluate the performance of leading GPS devices in emergency survival scenarios and extreme conditions, ensuring accuracy when it's most critical.

The devices tested included the Garmin GPS Map 67i and the Epix Pro, both equipped with multiband and multi-GNSS capabilities, alongside the Apple Watch Ultra 2 with the WorkOutdoors app, the iPhone 15 Pro Max with Gaia GPS, the Android-based Ulefone Armor 23 Ultra with Gaia GPS, and the Garmin inReach Mini 2 set to high-detail activity recording. The test sought to determine if these modern units could outperform older models that often showed significant errors in such a challenging environment.

Throughout the hike, each device’s GPS tracking was meticulously analyzed, especially as the trail ascended the steep cliff walls of the Grand Canyon—a location known for its GPS-signal challenges. The devices varied in performance, with some like the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and the Garmin Epix Pro showing strong results in multiband functionality. Others, particularly the Ulefone Armor 23, struggled with accuracy, illustrating the variability in GPS technology across different brands and operating systems.

The extreme GPS test not only highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of each device but also provided insights into how these technologies can serve hikers and adventurers in remote and demanding environments. This rigorous field test serves as a valuable resource for consumers looking to understand which devices might best meet their needs for reliable navigation aids in outdoor adventures and emergency survival situations.

[dbuggr]

i'm realy surprised how well the Mini did its job. great comparison

[BrentHottle-gipe]

I’ve compared my 66i to my 3rd gen iPhone SE running CalTopo in heavy tree coverage. The phone track is way more zigzagging with the Garmin following the old skid road a lot closer. I’m recalling a .5 mile longer track over 3 miles on the phone.
I run the Garmin with gps only no ruski satellites.
I attribute the Garmin accuracy to a purpose built device with an external antenna.

[offdagrid]

One small thing to consider with regard to the watches they are on your wrist and have much smaller antennas.
The others generally in this type of situation would be in a pocket or somewhere in a back pack, where they would not be moving quite so erratically.
I have the Epix pro 51mm fabulous watch and I find way more accurate than my iPhone 14 Pro Max when you get to small intricacies of a trail, although in open sky situations they can even determine which side of a path you’ve travelled on.
As a general route recording tool most of the gps enabled devices these days are accurate enough.
Interesting test though

[calebavraham]

Great video! Saved me 400 bucks on the Garmin, stick with phone and watch

[NBTJacklyn]

Immediate good energy
Love this vibe

[hbjtf]

We never miss an episode. Thank you for your thoroughness.

[MarkDaniel_]

This is great. Really difficult to find in depth comparisons like this. My Mini2 has been a workhorse, but have always been curious how it stacks up. Well done!

[helvettefaensatan]

I know you are being vigilant and careful while investigating different units. But what we are looking at here are logs. The reason I point this out is for the possibility of different refresh/save intervals and averaging.

What is the experience while on trail, are the units suggesting you are in meaningfully different locations, would you get lost/fall off a cliff if you had whiteout conditions?

[twloughlin]

Gives me faith in my Garmin 67i. Thanks.

[billbeyatte]

Great video. Jeez, you have a lot of $$ tied up in tech. You're the Consumer Reports of hiking gear.

[eatthepi]

Are you sure none of these devices are snapping the trackline to a known hiking trail? Great walkthrough of the trackline comparison. So beautiful out west, wow!

[DB-mejt]

I hiked Santiago mountains in Cape Verde. Used the Komoot app on our iPhone 16 Pro. Often our location was way off track making it hard to follow the route

[abdelouedraogo]

Have the Epix Gen 2 and for me its Garmin all the way!

[Chinhnguyen]

great videos. I always want reviews of every feature like this. Absolute GPS accuracy is not necessary. but I want to see who has make it better, like Ulefone they have dual-band and they say it gives better accuracy but actually it is not quite accurate in this test. interesting
If you can, please do this GPS test for other brands or phone models. Carrying 10 phones while hiking seems to be funny haha

[thomasgriffin]

Please try to compare several models of Android phones on a future hike.

[hogwildbowhunter]

I would have like to known the battery life and impact on each device as well. It is only as good as it has run time . My experience is it varies and it would be great additional information. Good job!!

[FirdausIzam]

A few things I love about my Garmin that an Apple Watch cannot compete with are the battery life, route tracking, and temps. Oh! Best of all, I could go 5 years without having to think of an upgrade.

[RichardsWorld]

Perhaps how they are being worn or stored makes a difference?

[WhiteDoberman]

This is a very good comparison, AllTrails would have been interesting vs mostly GAIA and a Sunto watch in the mix would have made this incredible. The 67i and a RINO would be the go to with a multi ban watch. Thank you for the effort.

[ZuluFoxtrot]

Sticking with my Apple phone and Ultra need for separate costly items with these gems.