GPS Systems and Reviews

What is the Best Handheld GPS Unit?

It’s always fun to find a new device that you can tinker with like a toy. For some, this device might be a new watch, or a new stereo system, or even a new computer. But for those who like to get outside and have an adventure in a new area, their fun might be in purchasing some type of GPS device to help them navigate in the great outdoors. But of course, you can’t just go out and buy anything sitting on the shelf (or website). You have to be able to determine which ones are better than others. So in this article, we will look at which is the best handheld GPS unit according to the types available so that you can have a better idea of those that you might want to have accompany you on you next excursion.

What’s Available in the World of GPS?

Before you set out to buy the best handheld GPS unit on the market, it’s important to understand how many are really out there. Basically, there are a lot. There are some to be used for hiking, keeping track of your dog, biking, boating and more. So you will need to narrow down the reason you want to utilize one of these devices first – then begin to choose the one that has a reputation for being the best. To help you narrow down the options, I have created categories of popular use then listed the unit that had a top five ranking among reviewers. This way you can begin to determine which is the best handheld GPS unit based on your needs. 

Hiking – Magellan SportTrack

According to the experts, the Magellan SportTrack is one of the greatest options for those who love to get outdoors to hike along trails or in other remote areas. But it is not just good for hiking – you can also take advantage of features created for those who boat, bike, hunt or fish. It is revered for its high level of accuracy and offers nine large graphic navigation displays so that you can view all of the charting information regarding your travels in one place.

It is WAAS enabled and offers a quadifiler antenna that is able to pick up all 12 satellites orbiting the Earth at once (most devices on pick up 4 at a time). During your trek, you can store up to 20 of the routes you’ve taken so that you can easily go back and find where you hiked without having to guess. In addition, the device stores up to 500 waypoints, and 2,000 track points. And if you are hiking in a very remote area, the device can give you the Sun/Moon positions, and can even help calculate the fish and game in the area with incredible accuracy.

For Boating – EKP-IIIC Color

While it is hard to pinpoint the best handheld GPS unit for boating on the market, this device definitely makes the list. It is a great system for those who are on the water as professional boaters, or those who like to get out there occasionally. Its great features start with a high resolution TFT color display that is easy to view on a cloudy day or in the bright glare of the Sun. In addition, it offers WAAS compatibility, AvMap technology, and a C-MAP C-Card that lets you locate nearby areas and keeps you closely connected to other databases in the North, South and Central Americas.

Some other features of this device include internal land cartography for the Americas, a large 6.4” anti-glare screen with HIS display and 640 x 480 resolution, a simulator mode, auto zoom, and a fuel calculator. Overall, you can guarantee that this device will never let you get lost on the water.

For Fitness – Garmin Forerunner

There are several Garmin Forerunner devices on the market – seven to be exact. But what many people consider the best handheld GPS unit of the bunch is actually “wrist-held” which makes its use even more convenient. The Forerunner 101 was created for fitness purposes such as keeping track of your time, distance when running laps, cycling speeds, heart rate and more. It stores your stats from day to day so you can easily compare and improve, and even comes with a foot pod.

The best handheld GPS unit is probably impossible to find because there is so much competition. But this list will certainly help get you started. Just be sure that you have a type of device you’re interested in. That way, you’ll be able to find the best handheld GPS unit for your needs.

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About GPS Tracking Systems – What You Need to Know

How much do you know about GPS tracking systems? A little? A lot? Or nothing at all? It is not uncommon to be a little uninformed when it comes to the newer technologies available on the market – especially when there are so many out there! So in this article, I am going to give you some insight into these systems, explaining what they are, how they work, and how they can help you out in your daily life.

What Are They?

To understand about GPS tracking systems, you have to understand the concept of the global positioning system, as they are a subset of this system. A global positioning system (GPS) was originally created as a way to help the military make use of satellite feeds to obtain the position of their own and other military officials. They found these devices to be extremely beneficial as they were able to help determine a specific position with 100% accuracy and even help officials trek through difficult areas and find their way out.

Over time, these devices came available to the public, which helped the everyday person avoid getting lost in areas they were unfamiliar with. In addition, if they used a tracking unit, they would be able to keep tabs on their precious items and even the people around them with no problem at all.  

How Can They Help Me?

As you learn more about GPS tracking systems, you’ll discover just how beneficial they are to your daily life. But here are a few ways:

Pets – Many are excited to discover that they can keep track of their pets with one of these units by simply attaching one to the collar or muzzle and keeping a corresponding device on their person. If the dog runs away, you can not only determine its specific coordinates, but also tell if it is walk, running or even standing by a tree – pretty neat!

Cars – Customers found out about GPS tracking systems for their personal items a few years ago as they became popular in a variety of movies. However, they have more recently become affordable to that same viewing public. So now, if you want to keep tabs on your vehicle, instead of planting a camera near or in the car, you can plant a small tracking device in it that will inform your corresponding device, kept in your home, of your car’s whereabouts at all times. This way, if your car is stolen, or your children take the car and you want to know where they are going, you can simply keep a close watch with the device.

Potential Device Errors

Those who have studied information about GPS tracking systems know that it is possible to have errors occur with them though it doesn’t happen often. Below is a short list of errors that can occur when operating your device:

Multi-Path Error or “Bounce Off” – A bounce off error can occur when the radio signal from a device can “bounce off” of objects that stand between the satellite feed and the device. For example, if you are located in an area that is densely populated with tall buildings or trees then the signal could very well be diverted as it is trying to reach your unit. The result of the multi-path error is a lower accuracy reading.

Signal Delay Errors – If there is a strong storm, or some other form of atmospheric interference like a layer of water vapor below the troposphere that interrupts the signal and prevents it from reaching your device as usual, it can affect the accuracy of your unit.  

Quality of Your Unit – If you purchase a unit that is not considered high quality, then you risk the chance of not getting the accurate position reading you would hope to receive.

So how do you know which ones are considered high quality?

Some companies producing great devices on the market include TomTom, Magellan and Garmin. They are well known and highly respected in the industry for producing units that are extremely accurate, efficient, feature-heavy, and attractive.  

In learning about GPS tracking systems, you have to do your research so that you will find not only what will result in a high-quality unit, but also something that you can use without features you don’t really need. That is not always easy to do if you visit a store and have a salesperson in your face, so it is a good idea to do your own research first. But once you have learned all you need to know about GPS tracking systems, all you will need to do next is get yours and beginning benefiting from this great piece of technology.

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