Looking for a Handheld GPS for Hiking?

Welcome to GPS for Hiking- your source for finding and buying a great hiking GPS!

Consider These Must-Have Features in a Handheld GPS!

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 Handheld GPS

More Delorme Gps Units here

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Lowrance Endura Safari

More Lowrance Gps Units here

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When considering a GPS unit for hiking, trekking or geocaching you’ll need to look at different features than you would in evaluating a GPS for your car or truck, also the list of desired features will be more extensive as well.

All GPS units share some identical features, these aren’t considered here. What follows is a list of ‘must-have’ features for a hiking GPS.

* A ‘map’ screen that diplays exactly where you are in graphical format.

Some units simply display your numeric longitude and latitude. You want to be able to SEE where you are in relation to the surrounding terrain and landmarks.

* Built-in maps

Any GPS you are considering should have mapping capability. This will help enormously in orienting yourself to the nearest roads, and estimating the distances to them.

* Waypoint storage

You’ll want a unit that stores a minimum of 500 user-entered waypoints. This is pretty standard, and some units can store much more. The greater the capacity the better.

* Route capability

As with Waypoint storage, the greater the capacity of stored user-entered routes the better. Most units have a minimum capacity of 20 routes, others can store up to 50.

* Waterproof rated

Your GPS should be rated submersible, in the unexpected evented of a cold dip. And at least to protect it from the rain.

* Extended battery life

This is a variable quantity among GPS units, some GPS’s will last longer on two batteries than others requiring 4. The longer the life, the less weight in spare batteries you’re packing in.

* Multiple Datum and Coordinate settings

When using your GPS along with a map, you’ll need to set your GPS to the same system as your map (this is less important if you are simply entering your own way-points as you go. If you are geocaching you will need to set your GPS to match your map). This feature is pretty standard with most GPS, but it may help to do a little research and make sure your GPS can be set to the same datum and coordinate system as the maps you’ll be using.

* Bearing to next waypoint

This is essential for hiking, and is a very common feature.

* Size and weight

This is subjective, depending on how much additional weight you’ll feel like packing.

* Screen size and color vs. black and white.

Obviously the larger the screen the better, taking into account the size and weight of the unit, however another consideration is whether to get a color or black and white screen. While hiking a B&W screen is normally fine. Color screens tend to be difficult to read in direct sun. The exception to this are TransReflective color screens, such as offered by Garmin and Vista/Legend. Another plus is they do not consume too much battery power when turned on at night.

* 12 parallel-channel receiver system.

As the name implies GPS units equipped with this feature recieve data on 12 channels simultaneously, to ensure you receive the strongest reception possible when you need it most.

* A mapping GPS should have at least 20 Mb of memory.

Otherwise, depending on your use you’ll require from 1.4 Mb for local topo maps to 8 Mb for more extensive map downloads.

* More expensive GPS units may have UTM (universal Transverse Mercator) or MGRS (Military Grid Reference System) read-outs.

This may be a desired feature if you’re familiar with these systems.

* Topo maps uploaded

Garmin arguably has the best topo maps for upload, Magellan also offers uploadable topo maps, though not quite as detailed as Garmin.

* Depending on your anticipated use, you may consider getting an external amplified antenna.

If you will be using your GPS in heavy tree cover or in very rugged terrain, this will ensure the best satellite reception.

Getting out in the Woods

All GPS units depend on their ability to pick up the signal from multiple satellites. However the satellites are constantly changing their positions. This creates a variability in the performance of any given hiking GPS. All GPS units are made to operate with an unobstructed overhead view (think clear open sky). You may find your GPS unit worked fine yesterday, but today it sucks. Tomorrow it will be fine again. The factor which most contributes to this phenomenon will be hiking in dense cover, or in areas of steep canyons.

The type of antenna also plays a factor. As all GPS’s are designed to operate out in the open, carrying your GPS in a pocket, a pack or next to your body will affect it’s performance, particularly if close to metallic items, such as a pack frame or water bottle. ‘Helix’ type antennas can become ‘detuned’, with a resulting lowered sensitivity in these conditions. ‘Patch’ type antennas are less susceptible to this. The best guarantee of always receiving a signal is to use an external amplified antenna, so where you keep your GPS will not matter. Again this is particularly important if you plan on trekking in deep woods or heavy mountainous terrain.

Lastly, while a muli-use GPS unit for your car may fit in your shirt pocket, and serve you well for getting around on foot in a new city, it won’t have all the features to make it a truly effective off-road hiking GPS.

The author, Mike Wreggitt begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting, enjoys the outdoors as much as possible, and has become a huge fan of portable GPS navigation systems. To read more about GPS navigation visit http://GpsForHiking.net.

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