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Thursday, January 26, 2012

Let Me Help You In The Tedious Task Of Choosing the Right GPS Device for Outdoor Travels

By David Christ


When travelling outdoors, it is essential to have the correct gear necessary for your safety and comfort. Hiking through areas of thick foliage or rugged terrain can be challenging, and taking a GPS device with you is a wise option, especially if you're not very familiar with the place.

There are a lot of navigation products available in the world right now. The broad spectrum of brands and model types make the selection of a perfect GPS device confusing and challenging. Brands offer different features at times, and they also come at different costs. So, it is tremendously important for you to know which factors you should consider before you purchase one. It is helpful if you try to get a clear idea in your head of what you desire.

Basically, navigation devices act as your directional assistant. It helps you get from one place to another. This is accomplished by creating waypoints. Imagine you are exploring a maze, and in order to get back to your point of origin, you need to leave some markers, which will make it easy for you. The waypoints act as your traces to get you back to your beginning starting place. They are like sub-stations that help you find your way back. This is such a vitaly important detail of a GPS unit, especially in rugged regions. On hunting adventures, this is extremely important. So, the first thing you have to check is the unit's capability to provide you accurate directions. It will also be wonderful if the device is capable of making or storing new mapping points in its memory.

Another you should consider is the ability of your GPS device to reach remote places. You must be aware that not all GPS products can detect strong signals from satellites. If you are planning for an outdoor trip, this detail is critiacal. Having a Wide Are Augmentation System (WAAS) enabled device will surely make it easy for you to explore. This state of the art technology can provide you instantaneous and precise location readings.

Aside from its basic functions, you must also keep in mind the physical size your GPS device comes in. Being handy while outdoors is an necessary detail. Having a GPS device that is not bulky or heavy will be a plus factor for your mountain climbing trip. Convenience in using the product is also vital. Display screens can be a factor, as well. I prefer the colored ones, as they are easier to read than the black and white display. Battery life plays a significant role also. I don't think you would like to be in the middle of tall trees without any idea where you might be. Make sure that the model offers a long running time for its batteries.

There are many other additional features that a GPS device offers may add to the product's helpfulness. Try to get to know what these features are and check if it is necessary for you to have them. If the features are not going to be useful to you, then I don't see the point of paying additional dollars for nothing. Among leading brands on the market today, I recommend the Garmin eTrex Legend HCx. This device provides a high-sensitivity receiver for your GPS device, which allows clearer reception wherever you may be. It is also WAAS-enabled. The Garmin eTrex Legend HCx also has a crisp colored data screen that is readable even in bright sunlight.




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