What to Know When Buying a GPS

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