How to Shop for a Handheld GPS

Handheld GPS units are fast becoming a standard tool for many outdoor activities as well as for car navigation. Using a network of orbiting satellites, these units triangulate your position and provide assistance charting routes. There are many different types of handheld GPS units available, and most are geared towards a specific usage. These products are available at a wide range of prices and come with a bevy of additional features. When you shop for a handheld GPS unit, it's best to keep in mind how it will primarily be used.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Determine what type of navigation assistance you will need most often. Most handheld GPS units fall into one of the following categories: auto GPS units, outdoor GPS units, GPS units for runners and cyclists, crossover GPS units and hybrid GPS units. Hybrid GPS units have GPS technology built into a cellphone or PDA.
2. Decide how much you want to spend before you shop. The best handheld GPS units are typically at the higher end of the price range, but even the least expensive units provide the basic functioning required. Budget-conscious shoppers will usually have to sacrifice screen size, color display, additional features, onboard memory and/or operating speed.
3. Choose a handheld that comes equipped with SiRFstar III microcontroller chipset technology. This technology all but eliminates the problems older units have with losing reception when direct access to the sky is interrupted. Units with this technology are also able to get a faster lock to navigational satellites.
4. Consider the size of the screen. Handheld units are most commonly used for outdoor activities like hiking, geocaching and hunting, but they can also be used for car navigation if they have a large enough screen. A 3.5-inch screen like you'll find on the Magellan Crossover Portable GPS Road and Trail Navigator, available on Amazon, is generally recommended for best viewing when driving (see Resources below).
5. Shop for a unit that will stand up to the level of abuse it might see. Most handheld GPS units have some level of water resistance, and some units are IPX-7, or waterproof. Casings can also be rubberized or otherwise constructed to resist damage when dropped.
6. Pick a unit that can record at least 500 waypoints, such as the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, which can record up to 1,000 (see Resources below). Essential to off-road navigation, waypoints work like breadcrumbs as you travel across terrain, allowing you to retrace your path. Garmin is considered the industry leader in handheld GPS units.
7. Pay attention to added useful features that may be included on the unit such as an electronic compass or altimeter. For example, the DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20 can display aerial photography and topographic maps to give you an idea of the terrain around you (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• While some of these units can be used in multiple situations (particularly crossover GPS units), most experts recommend choosing a unit that is specifically designed to suit your purposes.
• Check specifications on units carefully before buying. Pay attention to the battery life, unit weight and memory when considering how it will fit your needs.
• Units with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) technology are the most accurate.

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