While most consumers will probably know Garmin thanks to its wide array of sports-oriented smartwatches, the brand has its origins with more varied hardware, including a variety of navigation tech. That in mind, Garmin is still going strong with its GPS gear – in fact, it recently announced its new Tread 2, a rugged navigator designed for off-road excursions. Garmin says that its built for extreme durability in snow and dirt environments, and a whole lot more. In addition to its sturdy build quality, Garmin says that it packs a lot of essentials as well as newer features designed for convenience.
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Going over the design, the Garmin Tread 2 comes with a 6-inch high-resolution display with relatively high brightness levels, making it easy to view under direct sunlight. There’s also touch compatibility for easy usage, and it users can also operate the display while using gloves. For sensors, there’s a lot going on inside the Tread 2 – this includes an altimeter, barometer, compass and pitch/roll gauges. It’s built to clip onto handle bars on bikes, motorcycles and ATVs, although there’s also an option to mount it onto a roll tube. This is all integrated into a design which features IP67 dust and water resistance, keeping it safe from the elements. There’s also support for 256GB SD cards in addition to 64GB of built-in storage.
As for actual navigation smarts, the Tread 2 offers a comprehensive suite of mapping features, including off-road navigation with turn-by-turn directions, preloaded snowmobile maps for winter adventures, and satellite imagery for detailed route planning, and users can also access real-time weather updates, share GPX files, and track friends’ locations through the Tread mobile app. For on-road navigation, the device includes preloaded City Navigator maps of North America. Additionally, a subscription to Outdoor Maps+ provides access to premium map content such as slope angles, hunting data, and avalanche risk reports. Garmin says that the battery can last from five to seven hours of use depending on your screen brightness.
For a bit of added convenience, Garmin is also offering users its new Handlebar Controller which allows easy access to physical controls on the go. The controller lets lets users view their map and scroll through different layers, waypoints, and even control music with a few button presses. Like the Tread 2, the Handlebar Controller also comes with IP67 dust and water resistance.
In terms of communication, users can stay connected with the Tread 2 by pairing with a compatible inReach device – this provides access to two-way messaging and even voice and photo messaging, as well as location tracking via the global Iridium satellite network. For emergencies, users can send an interactive SOS message to Garmin Response for immediate assistance. For group rides, the Tread 2 pairs with the Group Ride Radio for location sharing and voice communication, ensuring everyone stays connected even beyond cellular coverage.
The Garmin Tread 2 is now available and starts at $699.99; meanwhile, the new Handlebar Controller comes in priced at $149.99.
