Snowmobiling in the backcountry or on groomed trails is a favorite winter pastime for many. As much fun as it is to explore the backwoods on a snowmobile, the possibility of becoming lost or stranded can quickly turn a day of fun into an uncomfortable, dangerous situation.
To navigate with confidence and add a layer of safety for emergency situations, it's essential to have a reliable GPS system. Here's a look at some suggested snowmobile GPS systems to help you navigate confidently while adding a layer of safety for emergency situations.
Built-In GPS vs. BRP GO!
Two navigation tools are available to meet different needs. It’s important to note that these systems work independently.
The built-in GPS allows you to view your position on maps and record rides without needing a phone connection, making it perfect for deep-snow riders who want to navigate back to their basecamp after a long day. In contrast, the BRP GO!
Available features also vary between the two systems - the built-in GPS offers basic functionality while BRP GO!
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If you use the built-in GPS for your rides, your ride recordings will be saved in your vehicle's display. Conversely, if you use BRP GO!, your rides will be saved in your mobile app.
The built-in GPS is a navigation system integrated into your Lynx, designed to simplify your riding experience. It is your must-have feature for seamless navigation.
With the built-in GPS, you can view your riding buddies' live location without connecting your phone to the sled display or be connected to a cellular network. You can view your location on detailed topographic snowmobile maps, access official trails in supported areas, and record your routes with breadcrumb trails.
For an enhanced navigation experience with additional features, you can connect your phone and use the free BRP GO!
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Key Features of Built-In GPS
- Live Location Sharing: View your riding buddies' live location without a phone connection or cellular network.
- Topographic Maps: Access detailed topographic snowmobile maps.
- Official Trails: Navigate official trails in supported areas.
- Ride Recording: Record your routes with breadcrumb trails.
Group Ride Feature
The new Group Ride feature allows for vehicle-to-vehicle location sharing without a phone connection or cellular network. You'll be able to see group members and other BRP vehicles around on the map within a range of 1+ mile (depending on the terrain).
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To make it super easy to identify your crew, group members appear as color icons and other BRP vehicles that have enabled position sharing (requires the GPS module with Group Ride) appear as black icons.
If a group member goes out of range, or turns their engine off, they will appear momentarily as a white icon.
Ride Recording
With the ride recording feature, every move you make is tracked, ensuring you can easily follow your path. Once your snowmobile is powered on and ready, a track will automatically generate, marked by a blue line as you travel.
This makes it simple to retrace your route or revisit past journeys. All recorded tracks are stored in your vehicle's display.
Preparing for Your Ride
To access the built-in GPS features, keep the following in mind:
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- If you have a 2025 model, your vehicle already comes with the GPS module without Group Ride. To benefit from the Group Ride feature, you will have to purchase the GPS module with Group Ride and have it installed by your local dealer.
- If you have 2023 or 2024 model, you will have to purchase a GPS module and have it installed by your local dealer.
Stay prepared for any adventure by downloading snowmobile maps of your favorite regions via Wi-Fi, ensuring you have up-to-date navigation and topographic maps at your fingertips.
Alternative GPS Systems
While built-in GPS systems are convenient, several other GPS options are available for snowmobiling.
Trail Tech Voyager Pro
Trail Tech’s Voyager Pro is a comprehensive GPS solution for all adventure-seeking riders. It is specially designed for off-road harsh, rugged conditions and offers a blend of navigation and buddy tracking with Ride Command compatibility and vehicle monitoring features.
- Display: The 4″ color glove-friendly touchscreen is visible under all lighting conditions, especially in direct sunlight.
- Buddy Tracking: This feature uses radio frequency to track up to 20 riders in a group. It also works with and extends the POLARIS RIDECOMMAND network.
- Navigation and Mapping: The device comes with pre-loaded North American maps, supports GPX file import and export, and allows users to drop customized waypoints.
- Battery: The device requires a 12V DC power source.
All kits include mounting hardware, tach sensor, and power connection. Temperature and wheel sensors vary by kit, see kit contents for details.
onX Offroad App
Snowmobilers who prefer to carry a smartphone or rugged phone instead of a handheld GPS unit can quickly pair them with the onX Offroad App for one of the most accurate and accessible snowmobile trail map databases on the market.
Even without cell service, use your smartphone or rugged phone’s built-in GPS to access snowmobile trail maps. Download unlimited maps for detailed trail and land info and your saved markups.
- Find open, closed, and “Featured” trails.
- Use the “Track” feature to document where you’ve been and how to get back.
- Add Waypoints at campsites, obstacles, where you parked the trailer, and more.
- View your trail maps in 3D and with satellite imagery.
POLARIS RIDE COMMAND
Take your snowmobiling experience to the next level with the power of RIDE COMMAND, the original nationwide off-road & snowmobiling mapping system with over 380,000 miles of verified snowmobile trails and unique features.
With over 380,000 verified snowmobile trails, you'll have the confidence to explore further, whether you have cellular coverage or not. With glove-touch compatibility on the 7S Display and Polaris-exclusive SmartWarmers, maintain a customized level of comfort.
Available pre-installed, as an optional add during the build process, or as an accessory purchase on select 2021 or newer Polaris Snowmobiles.
With Snap-to-Trail and Snap-to-Track features, experience increased route accuracy and decreased route planning time.
Additional GPS Options
Here's a brief overview of other GPS units suitable for snowmobiling:
- Garmin Overlander: An all-terrain, all-in-one GPS navigator designed for the offroad community.
- TRX7 CS: Comes preloaded with over 160,000 designated OHV routes from forest and public lands and includes Magellan’s award-winning street navigation.
- Garmin eTrex Series: Uses both GPS and GLONASS satellite systems for better tracking in challenging environments.
Choosing the Right GPS
Using this article as a place to start, begin your search by determining the necessary feature(s) you want in a GPS unit for snowmobiling.
Snowmobile GPS Systems Comparison
Here's a table summarizing the key features of the GPS systems discussed:
| GPS System | Key Features | Connectivity | Mapping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built-In GPS | Live location sharing, ride recording | Vehicle-to-vehicle | Topographic snowmobile maps |
| BRP GO! | Additional navigation features | Phone connection via USB | |
| Trail Tech Voyager Pro | Buddy tracking, vehicle monitoring | Radio frequency, POLARIS RIDECOMMAND | Pre-loaded North American maps |
| onX Offroad App | Trail tracking, waypoint marking | Smartphone GPS | Detailed trail and land info |
| POLARIS RIDE COMMAND | Verified snowmobile trails | Over 380,000 miles of trails |
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