Buying handheld GPS devices

Lead us Lord to inexpensive restaurants, where the food is superb,
the waiters friendly, and the wine included in the price of the meal.
Give us the wisdom to tip correctly in currencies we do not understand.
Forgive us for undertipping out of ignorance and overtipping out of fear.
Make the natives love us for what we are and not for
what we can contribute to their worldly goods.
Grant us the strength to visit the museums, the cathedrals, the palaces,
and the castles listed as "musts" in our guidebooks
and if perchance we skip a historical monument to take a nap,
have mercy on us for our flesh is weak.

This part is for husbands: Dear God, keep our wives from shopping sprees
and protect from bargains they don't need or can't afford.
Lead them not into temptation for they know not what they do.

This part for wives: Almighty Father keep our husbands
from looking at foreign women and comparing them to us.
Save them from making fools of themselves in cafes and nightclubs.
And above all please do not forgive them their trespasses,
for they know exactly what they do.

Together: And when our voyage is over and we return to our loved ones,
grant us the favor of finding someone
who will look at our home movies
and listen to our stories so our lives as tourists will not have been in vain.
This we ask you in the name of Conrad Hilton, Thomas Cook,
and the American Express.
Amen.

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Read for the best GPS devices this summer!

According to Consumer Search, handheld GPS receivers were designed for outdoor use. More affordable, equipped with longer power and smaller screens, they are in contrast to auto GPS units, which are meant for long haul driving. To narrow down to a spot accurate to within 50 feet, a handheld communicates with multiple satellites orbiting the Earth so as to make the necessary calculations. The receiver then plots your location on a display, providing driving directions or helping you find your way.

For its handheld GPS devices category as of June 2007, Consumer Search cites the three best GPS devices out of 40 it evaluated: (shown at right, top to bottom) Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx ($425 up), Magellan eXplorist 500 LE ($180), DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20 ($420). It quoted sources like GPSMagazine.com, Infosync World.com, GPSLodge.com.

Its best handheld GPS overall: "Reviews say the Garmin GPS GPSMAP 60CSx is the best all-around handheld GPS. The 60CSx's star factors are fast map rendering and speedy satellite lock with its highly esteemed SiRFstar III chipset. The rubberized and water-resistant Garmin GPS comes with a 64MB microSD memory card for adding additional maps. North American base maps are preloaded; nevertheless, reviews say the handheld Garmin GPS is at its maximum with the optional Garmin MapSource software. Other features: 2.6-inch color screen, an electronic compass, a barometric altimeter, and a special geo-caching menu. It weighs 7.5 ounces and runs for about 18 hours on two AA batteries."

Want to read more from Consumer Search? Click here for GPSs according to budget, the most lightweight, dual duty or a watch style.

The following is CNet's take on handheld devices. A search of handheld GPS devices as of September 2007 arranged from highest to lowest, and by choosing the 4 highest rated will produce the following:

Garmin iQue 3600: "Poor battery life may be the only downside to this powerful PDA cum GPS device."

Magellan SporTrak Color GPS: Meant for the outdoor enthusiast, what with the bright color display and a wealth of features. Hit (figuratively no?) the road with it!

Mitac Mio 168: A winning PDA/GPS combo, with the indispensable quirks.

Pharos Traveler GPS 525: Maps and personal data go hand in hand here.

Click here to shop for these handhelds.

Click here to know more about the latest automotive GPS systems.

Click here for more of the above cross product review.