Finding Your Way with a Waterproof GPS Device
If you're an outdoor sportsman or enthusiast, then having a GPS device at your side can be very convenient. Of course, there can also be times when it can be a life saver. Providing position information, maps, route calculation, and in some instances direct communication with others, they can be a critical piece of equipment to have along. Of course, if you're smart, a waterproof GPS device is the best type to have outdoors. Whether it's exposure to rain and snow or a drop in a stream, moisture can put an end to a device if it's not properly constructed.On this page we'll talk a little bit about some of the critical information you need to know before you purchase your first device and we'll show you some of the current popular options from which to select.
Some Important Terms to Know Before Buying Your First GPS Device
If you hunt, fish, kayak, sail, canoe, hike, bike, or enjoy other outdoor activities, having a GPS along is smart. Of course a waterproof GPS is the best choice because of the risk of exposure to moisture. Before you get started in your search however, there are a few terms you should know so that you understand how to choose.WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. It provides signal correction that allows you to receive more accurate positioning information from your GPS device. It brings the accuracy to within 10 feet or so. A device that is WAAS enabled or WAAS capable, is up to five times more accurate than a device that is not.
Topographic Maps are what you need if you want to know the lay of the land, the characteristics of the terrain that surrounds you. A topo map will tell you the elevation and coutours of the land. They can show you where it is you want to go and the best way to get there, particularly when you're on a trail or in the wilderness. You are able to see both natural (rivers, streams, lakes, forests, and so forth) and manmade (bridges, cities, etc.) features.
POI stands for Points of Interest. The terms waypoints and points of interest really just refer to locations that may be important to identify. For instance, on a highway map, knowing where restraurants, restrooms, hospitals, banks and such are located can be important, On the other hand, knowing where you can get potable water might be important on a trail. These are examples of points of interest. Waypoints on the other had are generally just points along your route that you want to identify to guide your trip; merely points along the route to assure you get there.
In simple terms, a track log is a record of points along the trail that you can save to keep detailed records of your route. This allows you to easily retrace your steps, or save your route to share with others. The more detail you can save, the more likely you or your friends, will be able to retrace you path.
The devices on this page are generally waterproof to the extent that they can be submerged in water up to 3 feet deep for up to 30 minutes. Check for details on each device.
Garmin Nuvi 500
Garmin nüvi 500 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $253.96 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Garmin Nuvi 500 is a waterproof GPS receiver that offers turn-by-turn navigation. It's perfect for a variety of situations and gives users a choice of controls to switch from driving, hiking, biking, or boating. It's WAAS-enabled and is reliable even when surrounded by large building, heavy cover, or even deep canyons. It features a 3.5-inch touchscreen and comes preloaded with the highly detailed City Navigator North America NT maps for the lower 48 states, which also includes topographic maps. The details include over six million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, gas stations, ATMs and attractions.
This device is highly portable, weighing in at under 8 ounces and measuring less than an inch thin. It's perfect for outdoor activities and sports and includes a digital compass, no glare screen, and easy touch screen interface. Users can call up turn-by-turn voice directions, 2-D or 3-D maps. It also features digital elevation model (DEM) mapping to display shaded contours at higher zoom levels, allowing you to see the surrounding terrain.
With Garmin's HotFix capability, this waterproof GPS device is up and ready to go more quickly. It includes a microSD memory card expansion slot and allows you to add optional BlueChart g2 Vision maps, which gives you marine information such as water depth, contours, navaids, and harbors when you're out on the water. It runs on a simple lithium-ion battery that will provide approximately 8 hours of use per charge. It comes with an AC charger, 12-volt power adapter for vehicle charging, and a windshield suction cup mount.
The Garmin Nuvi 550
Garmin Nuvi 500 Review
A simple test to see if the 500 is truly waterproof
Garmin GPSMap 76
Garmin GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $154.76 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Garmin GPSMAP 76 is a waterproof GPS thanks to it's case. It will not only continue to operate after being submerged in water but will float to help you retrieve it if it's dropped into the water. This device has an easy to read, backlit 1.6" x 2.2" display, is WAAS enabled, and comes with preloaded maps of interstate highways, interstate exits, railroads, rivers, and lakes in the US and Canada, world wide cities, navaids, and tide data. Although larger than a cell phone, it weighs in at under 8 ounces and fits comfortably in the hand.
It also provides 8 MB memory for storing maps from optional CD-ROMS; such as topographical maps, BlueChart marine cartography maps, as well as city maps. It also features a trip computer for determining average speed, trip distance, and a timer. It's great for planning a route and even gives you TracBack, which takes you back the way you came each time as it shows waypoints along the route.
This device is useful whether boating, driving, or hiking in the wilderness or in urban areas.
Garmin Rino 110
Garmin Rino 110 Handheld GPS Navigator and 2-Way Radio
Amazon Price: $142.78 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Garmin Rino 110 is a combination 2-way radio and GPS reciever. It's great for outdoor activities with it's rugged design. It's ability to transmit the users location to friends makes it a good device for parents wanting to keep track of their kids as well. Because it is a WAAS enabled device it's accuracy in pinpointing position is to within 10 feet.
It's not truly pocket sized but still very portable. Users can communicate with others up to two miles away using one of the 14 FRS (Family Radio Service)channels. It also can communicate across 8 GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) channels, offering up to 5 miles of range (requires an FCC license).
The Rino's backlit display allows you to easily veiw routes. Users can save up to 20 different routes and 500 waypoints.
This affordable, waterproof GPS device is durable, runs on 3 AAA batteries, and is easy to operate.
Garmin Zumo 450
GARMIN Zumo 450 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Designed to weather the storm, the Garmin Zumo 450 is another waterproof GPS option that's perfect for use on a motorcycle. It combines the functions of a GPS navigation, wireless communication, and multimedia entertainment. It comes with City Navigator NT street maps preloaded. This includes a huge points of interest (POIs) database, including motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Users can enter a destination and get turn-by-turn voice directions that speak street names. In fact, you can customize points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras and get proximity alerts to warn of upcoming POIs.
The Zumo gets you started off on the right foot by allowing you to plan your trip on the computer before leaving. After identifying your route and intended stops, you just transfer the information to it and you'll have the travel guidance you need. You'll also be able to share the information with any ride buddies. The Zumo can also accept electronic maps and receive optional TMC traffic alerts (in select cities) when used with a compatible traffic receiver. It will even recalculate your route to avoid traffic tie-ups.
This device is easy to use as well. It comes with a motorcycle mount and is ready to use right out of the box. You won't have to worry about delicate electronics as it's vibration-tested, waterproof, and built with fuel-resistant plastics to withstand the elements. Operation is a breeze with left-handed controls that are easy to manipulate even with gloves on and a large 3.5" screen which offers a bright, sunlight-readable, UV-resistant surface for easy viewing. It also offers a console for trip information, including a fuel gauge to warn you when its time to fill up. When you stop, you can also be assured the Zumo will be there when you get back as it has an advanced anti-theft feature which also disables the unit from performing any functions until you type in a specific four-digit PIN or take the unit to a predetermined location. Of course, if you choose to just take it with you, you can do that too. It weighs only 10.6 ounces so you can easily take it along and the internal battery allows it to function on foot as well for up to 3 hours.
Some other features include the ability to load MP3s to enjoy on the road and a JPEG picture viewer.
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo 550 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
Amazon Price: $649.00 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Zumo 550 is a more fully loaded version of the Zumo 450. See details above. It's also a waterproof GPS device that is built with motorcycles in mind. Easy to operate and durable. Some of the additional features it offers include Bluetooth Wireless Technology and optional XM radio.
Using Bluetooth, riders are able to make hands-free calls by attaching the device to their Bluetooth headset/helment and cell phone. It also allows them to transmit the navigation prompts from the Zumo 550 to their headset. Subscription to XM satellite radio is optional but can give you the ability to keep track of the weather and enjoy music while you ride.
Garmin Forerunner 101
Garmin Forerunner 101 Bilingual GPS
Amazon Price: $126.99 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Foretrex 101 is perfect for runners and bikers but can be used for any type of outdoor activity including sailing and kayaking. It's a wearable, waterproof GPS that attaches to your wrist. It is a non-mapping device that features PC interface capabilities for downloading waypoints, tracks and routes. It's backlit display is easy to read and it offers a number of fitness features that most users will prize such as tracking of speed, distance, calories burned, and so forth. It even stores your historical performance, allows you to program in a speed, time, or distance alert to keep you on track. If you need a partner for competition, it's here as well. You don't even have to hit pause during a workout as the Forerunner will sense this and automatically stop and then restart when you do.
You'll also get elevation and other critical information about your surroundings. When you're in an unfamiliar area the Forerunner will also allow you to mark your location, and guide you in finding your way back. In fact, this Garmin offers TracBack technology to assure you can always retrace your steps. Navigation is easy with a six button design.
Of course whether you're out in the weather or kayaking, moisture is sure to be present. The Forerunner is waterproof to 3 feet for up to 30 minutes.
Garmin Forerunner 101 Review
Garmin Foretrex 101
Garmin Foretrex 101 Hands-Free GPS Navigation
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
The Garmin Foretrex 101 is wearable, waterproof GPS device that's perfect for watersports and other outdoor activities such as hunting and biking. It will continue to operate when submerged in water as deep as 3 feet for up to 30 minutes. With it's PC interface it's easy to download waypoints, tracks, and routes. You also don't have to worry about recharging when you're out as you can merely slip in two fresh AAA batteries.
The Foretrex 101 provides simple navigation using six dedicated buttons (GoTo, Page, Enter/Mark, Up, Down, and Power). Users can mark their location, identify the waypoint, and navigate to it later using the GoTo function. This device also features TracBack technology which allows you to easily retrace your steps when heading back. It also incorporates a trip computer to measure trip distance and time among other things. It will accurately determine position within 10 feet when WAAS enabled or approximately 50 feet in regular GPS mode.
This device comes with the receiver, wrist strap, quick start guide, and owner's manual.
Garmin GPS 60
Garmin GPS 60 Non-Mapping Personal Navigation Unit
Amazon Price: $141.76 (as of 12/30/2009)
A great device for hunters and fisherman the Garmin 60 Package offers a 2.6", sunlight-readable, four-level grayscale display with bright LED backlight, wrist strap and belt clip for secure portability, and 28 hour battery life to make sure it's operating whenever you need it.
It's a non-mapping unit with a pre-loaded marine point database which includes worldwide cities. It's WAAS enabled which assures it's accuracy. It also features a dedicated geocaching mode, indoor/outdoor games, an alarm clock, sunrise/sunset and moon phase tables, optimal hunting and fishing times and much more. Users get 1 MB of internal memory for storing points of interest.
It comes with a PC/USB interface cable, preloaded maps, MapSource%uFFFD Trip & Waypoint Manager CD, Quick Start guide, and owners manual.
See the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx 
Garmin eTrex Venture
Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS Receiver
Amazon Price: $128.44 (as of 12/30/2009)
The eTrex Venture is a WAAS-enabled, waterproof GPS receiver. It can locate your position quickly and precisely even in deep canyons and heavily wooded areas. It's basemap includes lakes, rivers, cities, intersttes, national and state highways, railroad, and coastlines.
This device offers simple menus and lets you create and view waypoints (up to 500), save and view 10 track logs, and more. By using it's 24 MB internal memory you can download additional maps as well. It features a 1.7" x 1.3" color TFT display that readable even in bright daylight. In addition it has a built-in patch antenna, a USB interface, a hunt/fish calendar, sun and moon information, and a geocaching mode. It's powered by two AA batteries and will operate for up to 14 hours.
This device comes with a preloaded basemap, MapSource Trip & Waypoint Manager software, USB cable, wrist strap, quick start guide, and a user's manual.
Garmin eTrex Legend CX
Garmin eTrex Legend CX Color Mapping Handheld GPS
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
The Garmin eTrex Legend CX supports English, Spanish, Portugese, and French languages and it comes with a full basemap of North and South America. It comes preloaded with auto routes in these countries; including highways, exits, and tide data. Users get turn-by-turn directions and an integrated trip computer which provides odometer, stopped time, moving average, overall average, total time, max speed, and more. It can provide automatic route generation, off-route recalculation, and turn-by-turn directions with alert tones. It features icon-driven menus for finding points of interest (when combined with Garmin's optional MapSource maps), a full-color TFT display, and 36-hour battery life.
The microSD card slot allow users to upload additional map data such as topographical maps, city streets, and nautical charts allowing it to function well outdoors and on the water; which of course is when the waterproof GPS device becomes most desirable.
This device is also easy to operate. It has a mini-USB port for fast, convenient downloading and controls on the side for one hand operation. It's also has a 10,000-point automatic track log and gives you 20 saved tracks (500 points each) to let you retrace your steps easily. It comes with a 32MB microSD card, USB interface cable, MapSource Trip and Waypoint Manager CD, lanyard, owner's manual, and quick-start guide.
If this waterproof GPS device sounds interesting but you need an altimeter and electronic compass, you might want to see the Garmin eTrex Vista 
Other Waterproof GPS Devices
Magellan Triton 1500 Handheld Navigation System
Amazon Price: $236.90 (as of 12/30/2009)
Learn More About Navigating with GPS Outdoors
Resources for Outdoor Recreation and Sports
- Trails.com
- Find trails and topographical maps
- MotorCycleRoads.com
- Find good routes and read reviews.
- Bikely.com
- Find and share favorite/best bike routes anywhere in the world.
- Adventurecycling.org
- Learn about the potential US bike route sytems and help the effort.
- Backwoods Hiking Safety Tips
- Basic safety tips for beginning backwoods hikers.
- GPS for Hunters
- If you have questions about how a waterproof GPS can be useful for hunters, here are some great uses.
- GPS for Kayaking
- An article about how to use GPS while Kayaking.
- Fishing with GPS
- A brief article about the benefits of fishing with a GPS device.
Let Us Know You Stopped By!
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- gpsgarmin_guru gpsgarmin_guru Nov 1, 2009 @ 4:16 pm
- Great info. Really gives a well rounded perspective of what to look out for when looking for a gps that fits your needs.
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- spirituality spirituality Jul 30, 2009 @ 10:37 am
- Great lens - you've been blessed by a squidoo angel :)
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Jun 10, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
- Great lens!
Thanks for sharing
Lizzy
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- DougP DougP May 10, 2009 @ 10:54 am
- Thanks for this "GPS series", I learn something from every one!
This lens is listed at Isle of Squid.
by mulberry
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