Garmin GPSMAP 66i Satellite Communicator & GPS

I wanted to wait to review this until I field tested it some. I’ve had it on mountain roads and back in the wilderness and find it easy to use interface and pretty accurate. I read a lot of reviews about different devices and pros and cons. This one fits the bill for me to keep family and friends updated while in the backcountry and very good navigator. Like all GPS unless it’s the military, it’s accurate within reason. One thing to always remember is that a GPS should never be your sole navigation device and to always have a map.
Two things I would say are drawbacks for me. It is a hassle that the Garmin ecosystem requires the workflow to go from your computer to your phone then to your device. In 2021 there should be no reason you shouldn’t be able to go straight from the computer to GPS. Second is that when it routes you somewhere, I might misunderstand this, but it would seem the distances are “as the crow flies” straight lines to destinations and not distances on a trail.
There are some great resources and reviews out there and found this one fits my needs.

I wanted a communication device for my backcountry elk hunt this year to stay connected with family back home and I needed to upgrade my older Garmin eTrex GPS and this product filled both needs. Communication worked great and the GPS worked as expected for a Garmin product.

I have sent the unit back because I had accidentally ordered two of them so return yours.

Purchased for recent WY antelope and mule deer hunt. Didn't need it, bit the peace of mind having it (and peace of mind for my wife) is priceless. Easy setup, solid desktop maps and ability to set points of interest. Happy with the purchase.

OK mapping and elevation detail but not our primary. Ready for the GoHunt App! Accuracy was generally good with the exception of one bad experience. We worked to the back of a large basin tracking an elk herd. It reached time to head back to base camp. After following the GPSMAP 66i all day the Garmin 66i tried to send us in the OPPOSITE direction we were heading. We were at the bottom of the basin, in tall and heavy dark timber with a long way to go. After careful consideration, we disregarded the Garmin's attempt to re-direct and later broke out of the timber and found the old logging road we were seeking. Our phone GPS's did the same thing, like being in the Bermuda Triangle for a few hours. We continued in the same direction we'd been on for several hours before the Garmin 66i tried to redirect us. Fortunately we used our heads and followed our instincts by staying on our heading. The Garmin 66i eventually returned to the original heading as we broke out of the timber and stayed on track afterword. Otherwise accurate. Also, the texting feature from the device or via bluetooth to your cell phone works well when out of cellular reception. Like the SOS feature as well.