PORTABLE GPS DEVICES
Garmin eTrex Vista C
My favorite general-purpose GPS device is Garmin's eTrex Vista C, primarily because it packs so many useful features into such a small package. This gizmo is small enough to fit in your shirt pocket, but offers a color display, automatic routing, and a whole bunch more. The whole thing is wrapped up in a waterproof case that you can use for boating, hiking, biking, or geocaching. The 256-color display is easily readable in even the brightest sunlight, which is a necessity for outdoor use. Indoors, it connects to your PC via USB for downloading of map data from Garmin's library of MapSource CDs. You operate it all via a rocker switch on the front of the unit; it's easy to both input data and pan across a full map image. As far as performance, you get automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, turn-by-turn directions (with alert tones!), an automatic track log with 20 saved tracks, and display of up to 500 waypoints. The built-in trip computer calculates current speed, average speed, time of sunrise/sunset, maximum speed, and trip time and distance. The 12-channel WAAS-enabled receiver uses up to 12 GPS satellites to compute and update your position. Accuracy is typically within 3 meters. And here's something even neater. In addition to the standard GPS functions, the eTrex Vista C also includes an electronic compass and barometric altimeter with elevation computer. This is a one-stop-shop outdoors positioning device and it's a good inch-and-a-half shorter than competing units!
Lowrance iFINDERLowrance's iFINDER is an affordable handheld GPS device with a 1.7'' x 2.2'' high-contrast monochrome display. It uses a 12-channel WAAS receiver and accepts both SD and MMC flash memory cards. You can save up to 100 plot trails with up to 10,000 points on any trail; you also get 1,000 waypoints and event markers. A nice bonus: You can customize your unit with interchangeable face plates. (The camouflage plate is great for hunting!)
Magellan eXplorist 500If you want a color display without spending a bundle, check out Magellan's eXplorist 500. The 16-color display is very readable, and the 14-channel WAAS/EGNOS receiver is accurate up to 3 meters. The eXplorist 500 can store up to 5 track files, each with 2,000 track points. The unit itself is extremely compact and waterproof.
Garmin iQue M5Garmin's iQue M5 isn't your standard handheld GPS handheld device. It's a PDA married to 12-channel GPS functionality, all in one compact device. The smallish GPS antenna folds out from the top of the case, and maps and directions are displayed on the 3.5'' color screen. When you're not using it to find your way, you can use it as a standard Pocket PC device, with all the normal Windows Mobile 2003 applications.
Suunto X9 GPS WatchHere's another unique GPS device, this time in the form of a GPS wristwatch. Suunto's X9 is an electronic watch that incorporates a 12-channel GPS receiver, altimeter, barometer, thermometer, and compass; it works just like the larger handheld units but fits neatly on your wrist. Of course, you don't have a big display, but it does a good job of telling you precisely where you are and how far you have to go to get to where you going. The watch holds 50 routes in memory, with 50 waypoints per route.
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EAN: 2147483647
Pages: 126