GPSMAP H1i Plus - Recent Threads

RE: Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

JungleJim — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:21:56 GMT

USB-C says nothing about transfer speeds, it is just the standard for the physical connection.

That being said I agree that transfer speeds are way too low for a device being released in 2025.

Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

JungleJim — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 20:31:35 GMT

Somehow the Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer is not displaying on my GPSMAP H1 series device (firmware version 7.07). I downloaded and checked a couple of countries (Netherlands, Italy, Scotland), but none of them are actually showing buildings when I enable the Buildings Layer in the Map Layers menu.

Already emailed Garmin Support but wondering if anyone else is running into this.

RE: Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

SergZak — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 17:19:36 GMT

[quote userid="2370498" url="~/outdoor-recreation/inreach/f/gpsmap-h1i-plus/431766/outdoor-maps-buildings-layer-not-being-displayed/2035788"]I'm trying to install City Navigator maps on SD and it takes enormous time to load (the speed is like 30kb/s, while installing to intenal memory goes with speeds like 10-12MB/s).[/quote]

This is common for all Garmin units. In the H1's case (also applies to the new eTrex Touch), despite having a USB-C connector, the interface speed of both direct to unit as well as to SD card is severely limited, artificially. I've used Garmins for decades now and this self-imposed (by Garmin) speed limitation has always been in effect. A $5 SD card reader will be much faster than transferring a map to the unit through the unit's built-in SD card reader. I have no idea why they do this (possibly "stability") but it's just a part of owning a Garmin GPS.

RE: Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

kwieto — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 08:07:53 GMT

OK, so it is not only my problem...

I think the part of the problem can be also SD card management, I'm trying to install City Navigator maps on SD and it takes enormous time to load (the speed is like 30kb/s, while installing to intenal memory goes with speeds like 10-12MB/s).

The card is fine (Sandisk Extreme) - when I was loading some custom maps on it via card reader there was no issue with speed

At least I can install it from the Express app, not via wifi

RE: Where has TopoActive Europe 2026.10 gone?

Garmin - AL — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 21:51:34 GMT

At this time the current TopoActive maps are 2025.10, we do not have a timeline on the next version.

Where has TopoActive Europe 2026.10 gone?

JungleJim — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:27:54 GMT

Two weeks ago TopoActive 2026.10 maps were released. But after the issues with the Edge cycling computers they seem to have been pulled. The issues on the Edge were resolved apparently, so any idea when we can expect the TopoActive 2026.10 back again? On my H1 series device, only TopoActive 2025.10 maps are offered, at least for Europe...

RE: Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

JungleJim — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:26:04 GMT

Yes, in my experience any map download on the H1 itself is slow, be it TopoActive or Outdoor Maps+. The processing power of the device is probably the limiting factor here. With TopoActive it's even worse because of the large file sizes (for TopoActive I always recommend to use a computer and Garmin Express).

RE: Outdoor Maps+ buildings layer not being displayed?

kwieto — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:05:19 GMT

Do you also experience downloading Maps Outdoor+ to be extremely slow?

RE: Where has TopoActive Europe 2026.10 gone?

JungleJim — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:52:50 GMT

Garmin, any update on this? When can we expect version 2026.10 for Europe to be available again?

RE: Map Manager on 9.06 doesn't show same maps as Garmin Express

JungleJim — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 19:51:50 GMT

This seems to be fixed with the Map Region Grouping update version 2.27 that Garmin Express offered for my GPSMAP H1.

It's unfortunate though that the on-device map manager doesn't allow downloading sub-regions, only complete regions. For example North America is split in subregions US-East, US-West and Canada. Europe is divided in Europe East, Central and West. With the slow download speed of the device it would be much more convenient to be able to download subregions.

Map Manager on 9.06 doesn't show same maps as Garmin Express

JungleJim — Wed, 13 May 2026 20:56:21 GMT

The Map Manager on my H1 series device (with firmware 9.06) doesn't show the same TopoActive map regions as Garmin Express does. For example, North America and Canada aren't listed at all. Maybe it has to do with the 2026.10 map updates where the North America map was split into several regions: West and East and Canada.

Anyone else seeing this as well?

inReach Weather Not Working

Lamont — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 17:04:06 GMT

1. No WifI or cellular connection.

2. Request weather in weather app, prompt asks me if I'd like to get weather over satellite.

3. Click yes, get a "loading" message

4. Process always ends with "no internet connection" message

Has anyone been successful in getting inReach weather to work?

RE: inReach Weather Not Working

2782751 — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 00:03:28 GMT

This worked for me today. Nothing changed other than waiting a week or so from activation. In reach was actually really useful on the device

RE: Does ANYBODY find the H1 reliable? Returned mine after one hike.

kwieto — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 18:07:51 GMT

Not sure if I understand what you mean talking about "switching between full screen map and the data views"?
You can switch between open "apps" by pressing page button, you may go back to the starting dashboard (and then slide to see other dashboards) by pressing Quit - this is what you mean?

Or you talk about hiding data fields visible on the map dashboard? (for that I configured action button to switch back and forth)

I don't have issues with stability, but I've not used it for more than couple of hours on one trip, so maybe it is too short to encounter any issues.
It mighyt be that your resets are related to the installed maps, especially raster ones - I had the feeling that Garmin doesn't handle well too many maps in general, not only H1, but older models too.
The only case when my H1 did reset itself wae when I enabled Outdoor+ maps subscription and tried to download relatively large area. It then crashed when I entered the map manager and selected outdoor+ section.

Does ANYBODY find the H1 reliable? Returned mine after one hike.

4261461 — Sun, 31 May 2026 18:13:46 GMT

I've owned every GPSMAP unit since the 60. Despite being keen to try out the H1, the initial reviews and user feedback persuaded me to wait until now, when a 12% discount and over half a dozen firmware updates, allowed me to convince myself that it should be OK now.

Initial impressions were generally good. The screen is not brilliant but I don't feel, in actual use, that it is as bad as some people say. Mine had a strong blue cast though, something I haven't seen other people mention. I felt the build quality seemed a step up from previous GPSMAP units and the keyboard now has much more of a 'click' and is less spongy than earlier models. The extra speed makes using the UK Topo Pro raster map much better.

The bad. Why on earth can I have a maximum 8 data fields on a screen when the 66/67 will give me 12 despite the H1 having a screen that is 40% bigger? Also, why is it almost impossible to easily switch between the full screen map and the data views? This is what I spend 99% of my time doing on a hike.

Anyway, got about 8km into my first hike, following a GPX trail and recording my activity, when the H1 resets and I lose all my recorded data and my profile has changed to Boat (I suppose I was walking near a river!)

I can put up with some bugs, but a unit that won't record a days activity with 99.99% reliability (like all my previous GPSMAP units) is useless to me. It was with sadness and frustration that I returned my unit. Not sure if I will ever return to the H1 or whether I'll just stick with the 67i for another couple of years until the H2 arrives. It would also be good if Garmin included an inReach model without all the extra stuff like the couple of crap cameras - an H1i without the 'plus' - the 50% price hike to get inReach is just too much. 67-> 67i added about £100, H1 -> H1i Plus adds about £250. I only want basic inReach capabilities for emergencies, like I do on the 67i.

RE: Does ANYBODY find the H1 reliable? Returned mine after one hike.

8060758 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:10:04 GMT

I returned mine as well but I didn't have any accuracy issues though, generally around 2-3m which was pretty good IMO. Were you on the latest firmware ?

The screen was a deal-breaker for me, I don't mind the brightness but both resolution and contrast are way too low for a flagship device in 2025.

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

5354244 — Sat, 30 May 2026 19:23:57 GMT

Do you find that the h1 is still buggy as it was on launch, or is it worth it now. i am trying to decide between a 67 and an h1 for field work and geocaching primarly.

Arguments to buy an H1

empe — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 14:30:12 GMT

In spite of all concerns about the H1, all the bug, are there good reasons to buy one?

I own a Tactix 8 and will use it as primary device. The H1 I would use for better orientation, as a screen of a watch is rather small. For side seeing in urban areas with many POI and many saved waypoints, with an H1 it could be easier to navigate one by one to each of them just be scrolling and touching the POIs. Entering approaching alarms seem to be easier to enter than on a watch. As an outdoor plus subscriber I expect to switch easier from one map style to another.

I am thinking about the H1i Plus, because of the camera. For OSMapping the camera could be useful to take pictures of objects to update open street map data base. Sure, I could do it also with a mobil, but I don't want to fill up my library with pictures like road surfaces or picnic sites. And with an H1i Plus I expect to have the more precise coordinates and through Explore easier access to them. I am wondering, if the locations of pictures are visible in Explore IOS too (?).

I recently was hiking on hard visible trails in heavy rain like a shower. All was wet, the Fenix, the iPhone and the underwear. The touch screens did not responded properly and did what the raindrops wanted them to do. Under such condition it was difficult to navigate. I wish I would have had an H1.

Thank you in advance you comments.

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

kwieto — Fri, 29 May 2026 07:01:53 GMT

There is no issue with the screen, in my opinion.

Comparing it to my older device (Oregon 750t, 3" display) it is way better - I don' have any issue using the screen in moderate light conditions (i.e. inside the building) without the need to turn the backlight on, while in Oregon most of the time I need to do so.
Vector maps looks same good as on the Oregon (or better), KMZs are better on H1.

I've heard that the backlight on the H1 is less bright than for example on 67, but personally, I don't understand why it would be a problem. In direct sunlight you simply don't want any backlight (it is not needed and you probably don't want to drain your battery on it), in more dim conditions you usually don't need much backlight (in fact the darker conditions the less backlight you need to see the screen without being blinded by it).
I don't see a real use case where I would need a very bright backlight on such device (On my Oregon I rarely go above the 2-3 lowest bars out of 10 available), but maybe anyone can share?

I use H1 for about two weeks now, it never crashed, never had issues with connecting to Garmin Connect or Explore, which makes me wonder that maybe there is a series of faulty devices, or maybe there is something in older firmwares? (I upgraded it to the latest firmware out of the box, then did a full reset before first use).

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

8060758 — Wed, 27 May 2026 10:17:23 GMT

So in the end I decided to return mine and got a new Mini 3 Plus off eBay for 500GBP less. It's regrettable and I am very disappointed as I was really hyped for it.

For a device that retails for 850GBP here in the UK I simply cannot justify the cost considering it does a worse job at showing me maps than both my phone via Explore app and my Fenix 8. It lacks ClimbPro and other advertised features due to omissions - like not showing remaining ascent/descent during navigation - or bugs like not showing total ascent/descent on the altimeter glance which, after 8 or 9 software updates, still simply does not work. OM+ is also a disappointment on the device with HD contours not available and shading/satellite/snowview maps looking so washed out I preferred them off.

For now, I'll rely on the mini 3 for inReach and emergency trackback if needed, should my phone and watch both die on me in the backcountry, and patiently wait for a H2 or H3 when Garmin fixes the bugs and decides to put a screen from this decade on one of those units.

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

Snow_Leopard — Sun, 24 May 2026 14:28:54 GMT

Bagpipes333, For the cost of the H1 you could get a Maptattoo for sea kayaking, check out the West Coast Kayak forum for some reviews. Maybe Garmin maybe can fix the bugs, but the screen will always be the same.

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

Bagpipes333 — Sun, 24 May 2026 08:11:43 GMT

Thanks for your feedback… My unit arrive from REI yesterday afternoon and is sitting in the box on my counter. Rats… I was hoping to see issues being resolved by Garmin.

I phoned Garmin technical support and spoke to them about the poor reviews on the H1, and I was assured that this was there “flagship” model and the “bugs” will be resolved. I wonder out loud… if they might move to an different screen in the near future?

I purchased this unit to spot check my location while sea kayaking in Ontario (while using a chart on my deck for route planning). With the outgoing Fenix 8 on sale… perhaps I can use the mapping function on this watch to give me a spot fix.

RE: Arguments to buy an H1

8060758 — Sun, 24 May 2026 08:01:08 GMT

I just got one - here's my two cents:

- I cannot add it to Garmin Connect, tried everything, rebooting, pairing/unparing, nothing works

- It crashed on the very first hike I did with it

- The screen is simply TERRIBLE. There is no way around it. It's blurry, very low resolution for the size and has extremely poor contrast. Unless in full sun I can barely make out colour on it and in dark mode, lack of contrast makes contour lines basically impossible to see. It's also very dim and the higher you crank the brightness, the worse and more washed out it looks. Visibility in the sun is good and it only actually looks good with no backlight, in full sun but everything still feels fuzzy due to low resolution - I don't understand why they didn't go for an MIP screen with a higher resolution - or, frankly, even an OLED. It's not like the screen stays on all the time ? Overall, it feels like something from early 90s, on a premium, flagship 2025 device.

- Software is in a very sorry state - for example, the altimeter glance/widget simply does not work - total ascent/descent always says 0. I've seen this reported here months ago, with a reply from Garmin - it's still not fixed. On top of that, I see constant 'altitude' spikes which render the graph useless as every few minutes there's a brief 1 second 'spike' showing me going a few hundred meters higher. How is it possible that a flagship product, months after release, is still so buggy ?

Overall I feel like it's a great device - or could be... I love the form factor, I love the intended use - on paper, it is literally my dream device, however, in reality, so far it's been a huge let down. I'm trying to love it and will give it a bit more time but I'm considering returning it and getting a Mini 3 instead for inReach and rely on my Fenix/Explore app for maps

Garmin, please fix this and release a H2 with a better screen - OLED or MIP but at the very least something with resolution and contrast high-enough for a modern device

RE: Map Manager on 9.06 doesn't show same maps as Garmin Express

8060758 — Fri, 22 May 2026 13:57:06 GMT

yes same issue for me - on both Fenix and H1i Plus

RE: inReach Weather Not Working

2782751 — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:05:51 GMT

Update failed. But it seemed like it maybe was limited to the map? How does this not work is my question? Seems it has to be fixed.