GPS Units

GPS units are usually designed for a specific purpose.  The biggest mistake that people who are new to GPS navigating make is to choose a system with nonessential features and software because they think it would be neat to have a media player out in the middle of nowhere.  GPS systems are the most helpful and versatile navigational tools you can buy, if you buy the unit that is right for your specific outdoor activity; and there are definitely GPS units developed for every outdoor sport available.  GPS units are further divided into price ranges, abilities to upgrade, and number of preloaded features that come with each model.  Here are some tips to help you purchase the right one for your activity:   

For light driving, look for a model like the Magellan Maestro 3100.  It is inexpensive, easy to use, lighter to carry, has a lot of preloaded maps, and a large 3.5” color display. 

If you are planning on driving across the country or travel frequently, the Garmin StreetPilot 2820 comes with preloaded City Navigator NT street maps with thousands of points of interest. Simply touch the screen or use the remote to enter a destination, and the 2820 takes you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions.

If you drive a motorcycle, the TomTom rider is your best bet because it has a glare-proof screen, water-proof housing, and stores easily in a jacket pocket if you have to park your bike for any length of time.

Urban hiking that involves finding museums and cafes is best accomplished with the Mio Digiwalker H610.  It is so small that it can be worn around the neck on a lanyard or stuffed into a pocket.  It also has a media player and lots of preloaded maps to get you around any city you choose to visit.

Outdoor hiking demands the seriousness of GPS basemap navigators like the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSX.  It is waterproof and has a joystick for one-handed operation while climbing.  It has a strong receiver for wilderness hiking and can be upgraded with optional MapSource Mapping software.

Extreme fitness calls for accurately measuring your progress so that you retain a competitive edge when training for decathlons and triathlons.  The Garmin forerunner 305 has a unique wrist design that lets you get great reception in the woods or near buildings and lets you track time, elevation, and other information so that you can improve your athletic performance. 

Hunting with dogs has become scientific.  Using GPS technology, the Garmin Astro can track up to ten hunting dogs at once.  Just like humans with handhelds, the dogs create their own trails on the Astro display, which alerts you when they stop to point at prey they have spotted.   You can also mark the exact location, time of day and elevation where you found your prey as a waypoint in the unit’s memory.

There are also many small and affordable handheld marine GPS devices like the Magellan Crossover GPS.  This compact GPS unit not only has preloaded maps to get you to your fishing location, but functions as a real maritime navigator with basemap capabilities to track fishing locations, and is also compatible with Magellan Mapsend software for lakes and outdoor terrain.

And yes, there is even a GPS unit that you can buy if you plan to pilot an airplane.  If you own a Beechcraft King Air C90, the Garmin 1000 navigator is the perfect all-glass avionics suite to ensure that you’ll enjoy enhanced levels of situational awareness, safety and simplicity in the cockpit.

As you can see, buying GPS units for specific purposes will give you more enjoyment on your travels and a better outdoor experience, no matter what you choose to pursue in the great outdoors.  And don’t worry if you decide to choose a basic unit, it can always be upgraded with software and accessories. 

Posted in General GPS Information