Choosing the right adventure GPS

Choosing the right adventure GPS

Introducing GPS...

What is handheld adventure GPS? Well, in basic terms, a GPS receiver supplies a user with exact coordinates of where they are on earth by coordinating signals from satellites in orbit. Originally designed by the military during the Cold War, GPS was first used to coordinate nuclear weapons systems in the event of attack. These days thankfully, it is put to more peaceful ends, and there is a wide availability on the market of plenty of GPS devices for various purposes.

What's available?

There are probably three or four main players in the world of adventure handheld GPS. Garmin is a dominant force, and has a massive range of adventure GPS. One of the forerunners in developing GPS for recreation and leisure activities, their excellent units are complemented by a wide ranging and excellent availability of mapping add-ons. Satmap is another popular brand, although really with one flag ship model, the Satmap Active 10 Plus, an excellent navigational aid powered by superb maps. Also you have Memory Map, whose 2800 and 3500 Adventurer GPS series likewise supply a fantastic rendering of digital maps.

What kind of things do I need to look out for?

In today's materialist world, price is obviously one of the big indicators for many people. And of course, you need to consider your budget before you look into an adventure GPS device. It's no surprise, they don't come cheap, with the average unit costing between £200 and £300. That said, you can get cheaper basic devices for around £60 which deal with just the basic functions of navigation. Things to look out for when you invest in a GPS include the following:

You will need a strong and sturdy design, waterproof and robust
Look for something with a good screen resolution and a reasonable degree of brightness
Make sure that the device itself is of a good size, and you can read it and interact with it comfortably
Digital maps are vital in choosing an adventure GPS-make sure your particular brand has a decent supply of detailed accurate maps for you to use in the area you want to explore
Decide upon which features you want to get and what is important- you can get route planning, electronic compass, altimeter, barometer, 3-D features, points of interest planner, wireless ability and even digital cameras

Where can I learn more and get the right prices and advice I need about adventure satellite GPS?

There is plenty of information available on the Internet, although as with everything, standard may vary. A good place to start is obviously with the brand names themselves, particularly if you are interested in a specific model. An excellent place to start planning your GPS purchase, SatelliteMapReview.com features reviews of all of the best and latest GPS models available in the market, outlining the things you need to look out for, and the latest and best prices. Check out the website for all the details along with interesting stuff on the specifics of digital mapping and the outdoor activity of geocaching.