Here is the 3rd training video in the Playlist for the Garmin GPSMAP 66i Tracking Training.

Here are the 3 Tracking Tests

• 1st Test – No Tracking or Navigation
• 2nd Test – Tracking Only, No Navigation
• 3rd Test – Navigation with Tracking

1st Test – No Tracking or Navigation

This first test was a failure.

I thought it would be a success, based on my tracking test with my Garmin inReach Mini 2. The Mini 2 lays down hidden tracks so you can Tracback to safety, even if you never started tracking or navigating. You can learn more about the inReach Mini 2 tracking test by clicking on the photo below or clicking HERE.

After talking to a Garmin Technical Representative, I learned that it’s only the Mini 2 that lays down hidden tracks at this time. The GPSMAP 66i does not lay down the same hidden tracks, so it is important to start tracking if you want to TracBack to the beginning of your hike.

2nd Test – Tracking Only

On the second test, I started tracking without following a route. This may be a typical situation for a hunter who tracks a buck he shot or is tracking a herd of elk, for example.

This test was a resounding success. I could see right away the blue trail behind me and the blue circles where the tracks were put down.

After a short hike, I was able to TracBack to my starting point without any trouble. Check out the results in these images below.

3rd Test – Navigation with Tracking

The third test was also a great success as it was extremely easy to pick a location I wanted to navigate to, then I started navigating and also selected tracking.

After hiking for 10 minutes, I stopped navigating and selected TracBack and easily found my way back to my starting location.

Final Thoughts

I was disappointed that the first test was a failure, but after talking with Garmin, I realized that the Garmin inReach Mini 2 really does have a few things that only it can do, with one of them being laying down hidden tracks so you can TracBack if lost, even if you never started tracking.

With that said, the Garmin GPSMAP 66i is an extremely powerful mapping satellite communicator and with the new inReach technology built in, is truly is the flagship satellite messenger from Garmin.

I highly recommend you take a close look at the GPSMAP 66i when considering your next satellite communicator purchase.

Check out the more in depth YouTube video below of the GPSMAP 66i Tracking test.

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