Why are GPS units showing up everywhere? You might find one in
your rental car, on your wristwatch or even built into your
wireless phone. Anti-theft systems use one, heavy construction
equipment might use one and having one on your boat now seems to
be a requirement. Anytime we want to know our exact location on
the face of the Earth, the GPS becomes indispensable. Like many
other technologies, feature rich GPS units are now affordable
for the average person. So how do you know which one to
purchase? Let’s look at few things to consider prior to buying
your next GPS unit, but first, what is a GPS unit?
A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit has the primary function
of calculating its own location on land or water by using
satellite signals. Once the GPS unit knows its own location, it
can help the user determine direction and distance to other
known locations. For instance, a GPS on a boat can tell the
captain how far it is to the shoreline or how far it is to a
favorite fishing spot. For the outdoor sportsman a GPS can help
with finding your campsite, your vehicle or your next geocache.
Popular outdoor activities such as hiking, hunting, fishing,
trail running, backpacking, rock climbing, canyoneering and
canoeing are all made more enjoyable and safer when you take
along your GPS.
When buying a GPS system the first thing to consider is how you
intend to use it. If you plan on using it while on foot, you’ll
want a GPS that is lightweight, compact, weather resistant and
that is equipped with features important to foot travel. WAAS
(Wide Area Augmentation System) is one such feature. WAAS
greatly increases the accuracy of your GPS, in most cases to
within 10 feet. Accuracy within a few meters is important for
the outdoor enthusiast but not nearly as important for
navigating through town in your rental car. Next, be sure your
GPS has at least 12 channels of reception too. Since your GPS
will only work when it receives signals from satellites orbiting
the Earth, less than 12 receiving channels will not get the job
done in wooded areas or in steep terrain. If you plan on using
your GPS to navigate while driving in your car, its weight is
not nearly as important as its ability to display street maps.
The GPS mounted to the dash of your truck probably doesn’t need
to be weatherproof, but the one on your boat better be.
Here are the features and products I recommend. For the outdoor
athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features:
topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface,
weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend
portable GPS units in the Garmin eTrex Series and the Magellan
Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your GPS has
these features: street mapping, large display, a computer
interface and external antenna compatibility. I recommend
automotive GPS units in the Garmin StreetPilot Series and the
Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and other marine
applications, be sure your GPS has these features: marine
mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking, a computer
interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine GPS Units in
the Garmin GPSMAP Series.
Prices for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get
what you pay for. While some units cost around $100 and offer
relatively few features, others may cost as much as $1000 or
even more and are loaded with dozens of features. Here is a good
rule of thumb for determining how much money to spend on your
next GPS. You should expect to pay between $200 and $300 to get
a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex Vista. I believe it is
the best GPS available for under $300.
If you don’t have a GPS or yours is more than five years old,
now’s the time to get one. Adding a new GPS to your inventory of
backcountry toys will take your outdoor adventures to a new
level of enjoyment. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right
The First Time. Get Outdoors!
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