Want to know which GPS is best suited to your type of hiking activity?

David Albert, Product Manager at TwoNav, kindly agreed to answer a series of questions about the new line-up of TwoNav hiking GPS units. If you’re still unsure as to which device is best suited to your activity, read on as David tells us the difference between them.

David, thanks for granting us this interview. Of all the GPS units for hiking, Horizon, Aventura and Trail, which is best suited to each type of activity?

First of all, it’s important to note that these devices are designed to satisfy the needs of all types of hikers, whether they are amateurs or experienced. The Horizon, Aventura and Trail all include TwoNav’s software, so it’s their physical characteristics that make the difference and determine which are more suited to a given activity.

Let’s start with Horizon. What’s its target consumer?

Horizon is the evolution of Anima, which in turn was derived from the old Sportiva. Horizon maintains the same look as its predecessors but it’s adapted to current needs. Horizon is an affordable solution that meets the needs of casual hikers and of those who are just starting out. Horizon is the GPS for nature lovers who are interested in doing medium or longer routes.

The name of the second device may be familiar to many TwoNav users, it’s the Aventura. What makes it unique?

That’s right! The first Aventura model was marketed in 2009. Many of our readers no doubt have an Aventura, it was a very successful GPS. Well, now we’re presenting the new generation of Aventura, one that’s much more technically advanced while keeping the essential aspects that worked so well in the first model. Aventura is an extreme GPS designed for mountain climbers. If you like to practise mountaineering in severe conditions, Aventura is the GPS for you! Aventura features exceptional worldwide coverage, which is very useful for getting around in unknown places knowing that you won’t get lost.

What can you tell us about Trail? How is it different from Horizon and Aventura?

Trail is an intermediate GPS between Horizon and Aventura. You could call it an affordable version of Aventura since it offers the same features but with fewer accessories. Trail has a larger display than Horizon, which is perfect for those who like to interact with the screen on the GPS. It’s also designed for specialised hikers who are used to going out more often. In other words, for enthusiasts who are actively involved in different types of hiking, both morning outings and more demanding activities, like treks lasting several days.

At the hardware level, what are the differences?

Horizon only weighs 125 gr. It’s a light and compact GPS measuring 60x105x23 mm, perfect for carrying in the hand or pocket. It has the same physical characteristics that were already used in Anima and Sportiva, namely the two side buttons. Aventura and Trail, on the other hand, weigh more than Horizon due to their much larger screens (3.7”). Another difference between Aventura and Trail with respect to Horizon is the buttons; both devices have four front buttons, two side buttons and a joystick, perfect for using the GPS even with gloves on.

How long does the battery on each device last?

Horizon has a removable battery that last 8 hours, which can be doubled with a spare battery. As for Trail, it has a built-in 20-hour battery. This completely weatherseals the unit and keeps mud and water from coming into contact with the internal circuitry. Aventura has a 24-hour battery life, the longest of all three. Its removable battery can also be replaced with a spare. Aventura is especially designed for climbers who travel for days or weeks and are unable to recharge the GPS.

David, what maps come with Horizon, Aventura and Trail?

All the units come with a base map and a topographic map of the user’s choosing. The maps are very accurate and provide a good land-based reference for finding alternative routes on any outing. Aventura also includes a TomTom road map, which turns it into a useful in-car navigation system.

Can you load more maps?

Yes, the internal memory on the devices is accessible so you always have the option to load more maps into the device. Horizon has an internal 8-GB memory and you can add a microSD card with more maps (topographic maps, road maps, satellite images, etc.). Trail doesn’t have a microSD card slot but it does have twice the internal memory of Horizon, so Trail lets you load up to 16 GB of maps. As for Aventura, it too has a 16-GB internal memory, which you can expand with a microSD card with maps of other countries.

David, we appreciate your time and thank you for giving us more insight into each GPS.