About Handheld Mapping GPS Devices
Oregon Handheld GPS Navigator
If you are a person who is fond of exploring the great outdoors, but do not like the inconvenience of getting lost and finding your way back on track, you will need to compare handheld GPS devices to find out which handheld is best for you. Since GPS devices in general are supposed to present to you a map with your current position, choosing a GPS device should be as easy as getting the first attractive device that you see. But if you look at the websites of popular GPS manufacturers, you will realize that there are so many types of GPS devices that cater to different uses and in each category, many more GPS devices are presented. If you are into hiking, camping, and other forms of outdoor exploration, handheld mapping GPS devices should be the ones to get.
Understanding their General Purpose
Handheld mapping GPS devices are designed to track positions without them being too bulky to carry around. Similarly sized to most regular mobile phones, these GPS devices can be held with one hand and their screen fairly large enough to see your current position and its surroundings miles away. It helps determine accurate positions by using multiple satellites (usually three) and combines it with the topographical maps that usually come preloaded with the unit. The overall GPS experience depends on the interface and quality of visuals on the screen.
How to tell if a Handheld Mapping GPS is for You
As mentioned earlier, handheld mapping GPS units are for people that travel on foot to remote areas. These people include hikers, campers, mountain climbers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Notice that drivers aren't included because there are GPS devices that are specifically for cars. These devices are bigger in size so it is possible to see more while driving and often come with windshield mounts. These handheld GPS devices go in your pocket and can be held with one hand so you can walk around and keep track of your position as you go. There are also a number of handheld devices that are marine-friendly which means that they are waterproof, float in water, and have extra features that benefit hunters and fishers.
You can also tell if a handheld GPS unit is for you if you need topographical or geographical maps. The GPS devices for people on the road have lots of points of interest, but they are primarily found on the road. Handheld GPS receivers have their POIs in places that interest hikers and people that wish to explore off-road terrain.
Common Features of Handheld GPS Devices
Every handheld GPS device that is being sold today has a display that is at least 100 pixels in their longest or widest side. Some of the most affordable models have the shorter side less than 100 pixels. The higher-end models have colored displays with the size ranging from 2 to 3 inches. Battery life is usually around 10-20 hours, but there are some devices that can last more than a day.
Early devices were operated similarly to cellular phones and PDAs where there are zoom buttons, directional keys, and a menu button to navigate through the interface. Modern models have a colored touchscreen display where a majority of the controls are found onscreen. Many of the models utilize the touchscreen and still have physical buttons on the side with the exception of certain Garmin Oregon devices.
In the navigational category, many of the latest devices today are WAAS-enabled. WAAS stands for "Wide Area Augmentation System" which increases the accuracy of position tracking by up to 5 times. It makes use of a number of satellites and ground stations that correct the GPS signals.
Waypoint creation is a very common feature found in many GPS handhelds. Waypoints are user-assigned locations that can be made anywhere on the map and are used for basic route planning. Create several waypoints and link them together to form a route. With specially placed waypoints, it is easy to retrace the explored path back to the starting position without fear of getting lost. Hundreds of waypoints can be stored in the internal memory regardless of how much internal memory it has as the data size for each waypoint is small.
High-end devices and some of the mid-range handheld GPS for sale have a built-in electronic compass to aid greatly in the route planning as it tells which direction you are heading even when idle. It is often coupled with a barometric altimeter which gives enhanced statistics regarding the altitude and tracks pressure and changes in weather.
It is important to get yourself exposed with the budget handheld mapping GPS devices as well as the best handheld GPS models so you can better compare handheld GPS in strengths effectively.