Garmin handhelds have always been tough, reliable, and, honestly, a little boring. To be fair, the gadgets are tools, not toys.

　　But that may have just changed.

　　The new GPSMAP H1i Plus ($1,000) packs a built-in camera and microphone, so you can send photos and voice notes straight from the device without pulling out your phone. It certainly adds a bit of fun and convenience to a device thats otherwise a safety net.

　　Snap a shot, record a message, or trigger SOS, and it all moves through Garmin’s inReach Plus satellite service. Garmin says this is its most advanced handheld yet, and after getting it in hand, it feels like the biggest leap the GPSMAP line has made in years.

　　Ive been testing the H1i Plus for a few days, but until I get a good feel for it, heres a quick first look.

　　Garmin GPSMAP H1i Plus: First Look Check it out at Garmin

　　Specifications Display: 3.5-inch sunlight-readable color touchscreen plus physical buttons Camera and microphone: Yes Battery life: Up to 145 hours in Multi-band with SatIQ satellite management Durability: IP67 dust- and water-resistant Mapping: Preloaded TopoActive maps, Wi-Fi satellite imagery downloads, optional Outdoor Maps+ subscription Safety: Built-in siren, integrated flashlight, Garmin Response SOS through inReach Plus plan Connectivity: LiveTrack location sharing, Garmin Explore app, Garmin Weather via satellite Voice control: Commands like “send check in,” “start tracking,” or “take photo” in eight languages Price: $1,000 (H1i Plus), $700 (H1 without inReach Plus) Rachelle Schrute Features

　　Garmin H1i Plus (left) and H1 (right); (photo/Garmin) The headliner for the H1i Plus is the camera and mic. Finally, a Garmin handheld lets you send more than typed texts directly from a device when you’re off-grid. With an active inReach Plus plan, you can share photos and voice memos straight from the unit. Garmin says this higher-bandwidth system eliminates satellite dead zones, though terrain always matters in real use.

　　Everything else feels familiar, just better. The 3.5-inch screen is bright in sunlight and covered in chemically strengthened glass. Buttons work with gloves, giving you control in nasty weather. Battery life stretches to 145 hours, thanks to SatIQ adjusting satellite use on the fly.

　　Maps come preloaded, and you can download high-res satellite images over Wi-Fi. Outdoor Maps+ adds premium content like land boundaries, contours, and wildlife data. The unit also carries a siren and flashlight for emergencies. Garmin Explore integration supports trip planning, weather forecasts, and route sharing.

　　H1i Plus vs. H1 Garmin also released the GPSMAP H1 ($700). It looks and feels virtually the same (minus the red detailing), with the same screen, maps, and rugged build, but it skips inReach Plus.

　　That means no satellite photos, no voice memos, no SOS, and no texting when you’re out of cell range. You still get mapping, navigation, Outdoor Maps+ compatibility, and the same durability, but communication stays offline.

　　The $300 difference buys you satellite communication with the H1i Plus. If you only need a tough GPS for navigation, the H1 saves money. If you want off-grid messaging and SOS, you’ll need the H1i Plus.

　　What’s New and Different

　　This is Garmin’s first handheld GPS that can send photos and voice memos through satellite. Earlier GPSMAP devices stuck to text. With inReach Plus now available, making the jump to a device capable of utilizing all its services only made sense.

　　Being able to send a photo of your campsite, a snapshot of trail conditions, or a voice note describing a situation gives more context than words on a screen ever could. For emergency use, that added detail can help rescuers see or hear exactly what’s happening, rather than piecing it together from short texts.

　　Updated Tech: Maps, Screen, Battery

　　(Photo/Garmin) The interface also feels updated. Garmin has paired a bright 3.5-inch touchscreen with physical buttons. The touchscreen makes zooming and scrolling faster, while the buttons keep the device usable with gloves, wet hands, or in extreme cold. Earlier GPSMAP units forced you to pick one style of control. Now you get both, and it makes sense in the field.

　　Battery life is another key shift. Garmin rates the H1i Plus at up to 145 hours in Multi-band mode with SatIQ managing satellite use. That’s longer than many earlier GPSMAP models and should stretch a full week of moderate use without charging.

　　Maps are deeper, too. Preloaded TopoActive coverage is still here, but the optional Outdoor Maps+ subscription unlocks layers that matter to serious users. That includes land ownership boundaries, elevation contours, and wildlife management areas. Hunters, anglers, and overlanders will get more practical details than before.

　　Voice Control Voice control is also new. You can speak commands like “send check in,” “start tracking,” or “take photo.” Garmin supports eight languages at launch, which makes the device more usable worldwide. Taken together, the H1i Plus marks a bigger jump than Garmin’s typical handheld updates.

　　Initial Thoughts

　　Garmin H1i Plus in hand; (photo/Rachelle Schrute) This bad boy is still fresh to me, so my testing notes are basic at this point. But I have some preliminary thoughts.

　　First, the GPSMAP H1i Plus feels like a tank in my hand. Like, it has the feel of a sat phone, which makes sense given thats precisely what it can do.

　　The screen is crisp in bright light. Buttons click cleanly with gloves on. The siren is loud enough to make you want to stop testing it fast. The flashlight is bright enough to double as a backup headlamp. Battery life testing is ongoing, but I havent charged it yet, so thats something.

　　The camera and mic are the real story, though. Once I get some real-world testing of the capability now that I can add the H1i Plus to my growing Garmin gadget list in the apps, Ill be sure to give it a thorough review. As far as first looks go, this one is promising. I can only assume it will replace my inReach Messenger Plus and my Alpha 300i (whenever Im not running dogs).

　　Let’s Get Visual: inReach Messenger Plus Brings Photo and Voice to the BackcountryThey say a picture is worth a thousand words. The Garmin inReach Messenger Plus now gives you pictures, voice messages, and 1,600 characters. Read more