Sometimes, the best tech is the tech that just works. I love tinkering with new gadgets, especially when it comes to navigation and messaging. But this week, I took a step back in time, and it was refreshing.
I was recently donated an old Garmin ETrex 32x GPS that was no longer being used. While I’ve spent the last decade relying on my phone for day hikes (supplemented by satellite messengers for longer trips), I decided to load some hiking maps onto a microSD card. I’d honestly forgotten how deliciously simple a dedicated GPS unit can be.
1. Big Buttons: Usable with gloves on.
2. Simple GUI: No distracting notifications, just data.
3. Replaceable Batteries: Charge lasts for days, and you can carry spares.
4. Small, Rugged & Waterproof: It’s built to be dropped on rocks.
It’s a great reminder that while our smartphones are powerful, there is a specific joy in using a tool that is designed to do one thing perfectly. It just works.
#Hiking #GPS #Garmin #OutdoorTech #DigitalMinimalism #Navigation















