Hiking With a Handheld GPS Unit

Hiking With a Handheld GPS Unit

My husband and I do a good percentage of hiking. We like to explore new and different territories. One of the concerns we have is getting lost on the trail. We decided to purchase a handheld GPS unit to provide us with a piece of mind. You never know when you are going to be on the trail and become so engrossed in the scenery that you lose sight of where you are. A handheld GPS unit will help you know exactly where you have been, where you are going, how long you have been traveling and how much longer you have before you get to your destination. Some units will even allow you to download the course you have just completed into your computer for future use.

When it comes to purchasing a unit everyone’s needs, are different. However, when it comes to purchasing the right handheld GPS unit for you there are certain features you should think about. Many experts believe that you should evaluate the following features before purchasing a unit:

Ultimately you will want to determine the degree of accuracy you need on your unit. This is because different models have different types of maps that provide different levels of detail.
You will want to determine how important having high-end features is to you. The more high-end features your unit has the more expensive your unit will be. There are certain features like a barometric altimeter, rate monitor or an electronic compass that you may not need.
You will want to determine the size, and weight of the unit you want. Your handheld GPS unit is your personal unit to carry around therefore you should ensure it isn’t too cumbersome to do so.
Most GPS units come with enough memory to hold up to 20 routes. While this is sufficient for most individuals, there are some units that come with enough memory to hold up to 50 routes.
When it comes to protecting your GPS unit from water elements you can choose between either a waterproof unit or a water resistant handheld unit. Most of the unit you find will be water resistant. Some of the more expensive units will be waterproof. You will need to determine how you intend to use the product before making a decision.
If you plan on using your GPS unit for hiking, it will be essential that you look into the number of waypoints the model you are considering has access to. Most units will hold up to 500 user entered way points. However, you also want to verify which direction the next waypoint is facing.
The unit you purchase should use a 12 channel parallel receiver system. The 12 channel will give you the best readings in dense areas. This is extremely similar to a walkie-talkie. It will enable you to change channels for better reception.

For a good selection of various GPS units (handheld, watches, bicycle etc.) please hop over to StatusGPS.com

Article Source: EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_Fanning