Handheld GPS for Rockclimbing and Hiking

I'm looking into buying a handheld GPS. I'd use it for hiking and, where possible, finding rock climbing areas. My priority list is as follows:

1) reliable reception
2) battery life
3) price
4) weight

Any recommendations?

Most handheld units weigh between 6 and 9 ounces, so weight isn't much of a factor unless you're debating between handheld GPS or a GPS wristwatch. The sky's the limit when it comes to price as manufacturers add more and more features.
Personally, I'd recommend a unit with an electronic compass (as opposed to a compass that works off of GPS tracking) and a barometric altimeter (altitude is generally the least accurate measurement with a GPS). If you get one with a built-in camera, you could save a little weight carrying one less electronic device, but this will also create a weight reduction in your wallet.
Most GPS units have comparable battery life (the top four picks on Outdoor Gear Lab have identical 16-hour lifespans) although some models with fewer features may last slightly longer (18-24 hours).
Reception has improved greatly in the last ten years or so and any decent unit shouldn't disappoint. The only real standout in this area is the Garmin GPSMAP 62 with its external antenna. It's the one I have and I highly recommend it. I can leave it in the bottom of my pack, traipse around under the thick tree coverage typical of the Pacific Northwest, and it maintains a strong signal no matter what. I went with the S model (as opposed to ST, STC, etc...) and took a pass on the camera and preloaded maps. (The S model has a simple basemap showing cities/towns and most highways.)

If you've got an Android phone with GPS, you could just try the Backcountry Navigator app.

I don't even bother with a separate GPS any more. I've generally got my phone with me anyway, so I just use it as a GPS with this app.

The Call Of K2 Lou wrote: If you get one with a built-in camera, you could save a little weight carrying one less electronic device, but this will also create a weight reduction in your wallet.

Or just not bring a camera. As far as the GPS goes, you dont really need it to find climbing areas, especially considering most guidebooks dont have GPS coordinates anyway. Mostly, a GPS would be best suited for very remote climbs with day-long+ approaches. Watch units typically have poorer reception than handheld units, and much less functionality. Watches are best suited for athletes (e.g. runners or bikers). I agree with using your phone as a GPS. Most phones are quite accurate and have good GPS reception.

I use the Garmin GPSMAP62s, very happy with my purchase except the later firmwares screwed up the map enable/disable when using different profiles.
I've got 4x topo maps, city nav map (small screen but it works) and a trail map in there.
I'd originally picked it up for sea kayaking where its water resistance is just ok.

You can also find free maps on gpsfiledepot.com. Adirondackrock lets you download all the waypoints from their topo.

I've found the iPhone with the Gaia app installed, anti-glare screen applied, brightness turned all the way up, and a Lifeproof case is adequate. Not ideal, but it''s light, multi-functional, and cheap since I already have one. However, you have to manage battery power by turning off all the apps including Gaia when you're not using them. Just turn Gaia on when you want to check it. Also, you can get a Mophie device for extra battery life if you're gonna be out for a while.

However, I don't trust the electronic compass on my iPhone. I have had it point 180 degrees polar opposite from North. At the timeI suspected it was wrong, so I checked it against a magnetic compass. Fortunately, I had a cheap plastic orienteering compass in my pack. So no shit, there I stood at 13k with two compasses pointing opposite directions. It was bizarre.

I also use a gpsmap 62. I can attest that it tracks very well at the base of a cliff (usually) and would work very well for your application. They have released a 64 model, and you can probably find a 62 at fire-sale prices. If touchscreen is important to you, opt for the Oregon line of recievers, but what you gain in usability you lose in reception (the oregon has a less-sensitive antenna). Don't pay extra for installed maps - find what you need for free at gpsfiledepot.com.

When I retired I bought myself a retirement gift, a Garmin Oregon 550T. I have had many GPS units over the years. As mentioned earlier the 62/64 are good units. In fact, almost any hand held GPS unit will get the job done. They all take readings from the multitude of satellites, calculate your position and display it. My earliest would only display lat/long, so I had to be proficient at correlating the numbers to my map. Which I can still do.

I find the smart phone apps to not perform as well as a hand held GPS. And in some cases fail altogether when it cannot access the internet to get updates.

The Oregon comes with a base topographical map that is ok. I have added tighter topo's and enhanced street maps to my Oregon. With good coordinates in the betta I can find the base of any route. I can set up complex routes for biking (MC and Pedal), I can plan long trips with gas stops. It is very versatile and handy. When we bike and hike I can set it up to give trip information, how far/fast did you travel. Elevation gain/loss. I can export the tracks to a multitude of products to relive the trip. The Basemap program that is free will allow you to buile trips and post photos along the way.

Ok, I am a bit of a geek. But I am an outdoor geek. And yes, I tend to buy too much trad gear and try any aider that was ever evented.

Having had many different GPS units (and lowran) I will advice you to let your pocket book be your guide. Figure out how much you can/want to spend, then spend it. More costly units have more gizmos, but gizmos can be easily replaced with a little common since and some minor effort. Like I said, my first unit only displayed my current lat/long, I still had to be smart enough to figure out where I was and where I was going. So don't get caught up too much by hype.

P.S. My $35 boy scout compass still works better than any GPS compass I have ever observed. And I love the National Geographic Maps. So much information and easy to understand.