| Handheld GPS devices represent a special | | | | applications have particular requirements and |
| category of all available GPS (Global Positioning | | | | qualities. If you are looking for a handheld GPS |
| System) receiver units used in various situations | | | | device that can be used in different |
| and for different applications. The major | | | | circumstances, a multipurpose unit could be the |
| applicability or usefulness of handheld, portable | | | | answer. Furthermore, you need to have an idea |
| GPS devices can be divided into two distinctive | | | | of what features you are interested in or require |
| categories, i.e. for outdoor leisure and sport | | | | in addition to the standard GPS and mapping |
| activities like hiking, trekking, climbing, camping and | | | | functionality, e.g.: |
| running and, secondly, for industrial applications like | | | | - Touch screen window |
| land surveying and position measurements at | | | | - Color screen or black and white |
| construction sites. Utilizing the GPS navigation | | | | - Built-in camera (like in mobile phones) |
| satellite system, correct location of the GPS | | | | - SD (memory) card expandability |
| receiver can be determined by retrieving exact | | | | - Voice recorder |
| longitude, latitude and altitude coordinates. Today, | | | | - Built-in electronic compass |
| most GPS receiver units, whether handheld or | | | | - Barometer |
| not, communicate through radio signals with at | | | | - MP3 Music Player |
| least four GPS satellites, whereby three satellites | | | | - External antenna connector |
| determine the exact location of the receiver and | | | | - Etc. etc. |
| the fourth satellite is used for correcting the | | | | Obviously, as the feature list increases, so does |
| receiverâEUR(TM)s clock. After the | | | | the price. Another important thing to keep in mind |
| Selective Availability regulation, which provided | | | | is considering what geographical maps may be |
| certain accuracy reservation for military use, was | | | | included or applicable to your needs, e.g. outdoor |
| ended in 2000, the precision of civilian GPS | | | | and recreational maps, street maps or marine |
| improved from about 100m to about 20m. | | | | maps. Most handheld GPS devices come with |
| Handheld GPS devices provide tremendous | | | | some pre-loaded or built-in geographical maps, for |
| flexibility and convenience for the user. Not only | | | | example a base map of the USA and Canada |
| can the user continuously monitor his, or her, | | | | containing major highways, city centers, bodies of |
| exact and current geographical location and path | | | | water and more. You need to find out whether |
| of travel, but handheld GPS devices can be fitted | | | | you need additional detailed maps that can be |
| for relaying with central offices or base stations | | | | added to the handheld device, for example |
| that can track or follow the user for security and | | | | detailed cartographic maps, topographic maps, and |
| safety reasons. For example, GPS devices that | | | | more. |
| can communicate with and supply coordinates to | | | | Still another important issue to keep in mind is the |
| a central station are very popular by mountain | | | | GPS software that is normally included with the |
| climbers and hikers. As the GPS system has | | | | purchase of a new handheld GPS for uploading |
| developed and improved over the past years, | | | | GPS data to a computer. By that you can |
| many new applications have emerged for the | | | | conveniently view all your maps, waypoints, trails |
| users of handheld GPS devices. Not only can | | | | and routes from your computer screen. Many |
| users determine their current location, but also | | | | other interesting advanced features and |
| obtain a multitude of additional and supportive | | | | possibilities can be implemented with an |
| information through geographical maps, inserted in | | | | appropriate handheld GPS receiver including, |
| the GPS receiver units, such as precise navigation, | | | | playing "hide-and-seek" and "treasure-hunting" |
| locations of restaurants and hotels, weather | | | | through geocaching or importing your tracks, |
| reports, tourist attractions, etc. Currently, there | | | | waypoints and routes into Google Earth for |
| are a number of companies producing and | | | | tracking and monitoring. In short, handheld GPS |
| offering many different handheld GPS devices. | | | | devices offer a plethora of wonderful possibilities |
| Some of the best known include, Garmin, Magellan | | | | and options. |
| and DeLorme. The devices have a broad range of | | | | For maximizing its benefits, you should carefully |
| features, attributes and, of course, price tags. | | | | consider your needs and requirements before you |
| Before selecting a particular handheld device, it is | | | | actually purchase a new handheld GPS. Common |
| important to know what you will be using it for. | | | | retail prices for handheld GPS devices range from |
| For example, a GPS device used for hiking may | | | | $100 up to $800USD depending on built-in or |
| be less applicable for mountain climbing or, even | | | | available features and attributes. |
| less, running. Obviously, devices for industrial | | | | |