Handheld GPS Units: Some Tips

What is it?: So what is a handheld GPS unit exactly? It is a small iPod sized device that not only stores maps, but (and this is the important part) tells you where you are to the meter and can give you directions as to where you need to go. These units have an automotive and field uses. Some of the field uses for a handheld GPS include geocaching, hiking, biking, and pretty much any outdoor activity.

How GPS works: The handheld GPS unit receives the satellite signals from the many satellites that circle all over our planet. The GPS system also uses ground based antenna to create a network of the ground as well that is sent back to the satellite for GPS receivers to use as well. Your handheld works off this network.

Pricing: What you get in a handheld GPS is entirely up to you, obviously, but the features on a handheld are driven primarily by price. GPS handhelds are priced from about $150-$500.. If you are working on controlling cost then you need to determine your need for all those bells and whistles. Buy a unit that does what you need and you can save money and get what you want at the same time.

Features: Do you really need that?: There are a variety of features like touchscreens, altimeters, and even heart rate meters but there are a few things you should be sure to look for and things that fortunately, won’t break your bank either. A good unit should be GPS for the obvious reasons, the outdoors rains, and gets wet, a good unit should be able to stand up to some water, not full submerge but very close. Also, look for a unit that stores maps, routes and other items.

The GPS antenna: How sensitive the GPS antenna is depends on exactly how accurate the GPS handheld is. If you do a lot of geocaching then you will want a more accurate unit whereas if you are just hiking, biking, boating, etc. Then you can afford a wide accuracy area because you don’t need it to be so exact. You will want to look for a unit that uses 12 channel receiving so that it will have the best reception, the high end units can receive more channels.

The necessities: 50 routes or more storage, directional waypoints, and light weight are all necessary features. Remember, you will be carrying around all this so something that is lightweight is crucial. Also, you don’t want to have to program the same route over and over again or any route for that matter. Get the one with at least 50 route memory (most come with much more), it will save you time. Lastly, you don’t want the GPS to have the next waypoint and not tell you which way you need to go, this should be obvious but directional waypoint will save you time on the trail.

Some Suggestions: There are two models that stand out to me for consideration for your purchase of a GPS handheld unit. Manufactured by Garmin and DeLorme, the first one, by Garmin, is really the very, very best complete with all the bells and whistles you could want. Complete with touchscreen, wireless uplink, and much more it’s the best and most expensive. The Garmin Oregon 400t comes at the pricey $450. DeLorme has the perfect unit for someone on a budget. At only $340 the PN-40 has an a difficult interface, but is very light, practical and waterproof.

A Final Note: With a balance of features, weight, and expense you can find a GPS unit that really works for you and meets your hiking and camping needs. Most importantly you will never get lost again because you will have all the maps and connectivity that you need with any and all features for your outdoors adventures.

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 26th, 2009 at 9:08 am and is filed under GPS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.