A long time ago, if we got lost we would just walk around until we could find directions. Now that can be prevented with today’s technology as GPS systems come in all shapes, sizes, and colors as well as prices. One of the newer, things that Garmin has come out with are the portable GPS systems that you can wear on your wrist. It gives people peace of mind and especially if they walk a lot of hike these can be lifesavers. How do they work and what are they all about though? Read further and you will be able to discover what these are all about.

The Foretrex 201 fromGarmin GPs is something that probably has been long overdue and should do extremely well in the marketplace. This is a wearable personal navigator that is perfect for the outdoors and marine use. With a weight of a mere 2.75 ounces, this waterproof wonder is lighter than most watches and its wrist top mount frees up your hands to do other things as well. The design of this is very similar to the Forerunner 201 yet it has plenty of great features for the hiking and trail use. Let us take a closer look at this model and what it can do for you.

The Foretrex 201 has user friendly interface so it means it should take you very little time to get up to speed and using it in the real world. It has six dedicated buttons go to, page, enter/mark, up, down and power to make it easy to operate. It also has enhanced GPS accuracy and extensive storage for waypoints and reversible routes and tracks in an easy to read display. A lithium battery is included with normal use it should last up to 15 hours. Once it goes dead, just recharge it and go again. Pretty simple and straight forward if you ask me.

Garmin’s Foretrex 201 has many outstanding features that you should know about. Let us look at some of these that you will probably use more than others. Waypoints and icons are something that this model has. You can store around 500 of them and put a graphic symbol beside them so it will make it easier for you to recall it when you see it. It also has automatic track log which means it lets you retrace your path in case you get lost or are not sure about something. Believe me this is a very nice feature indeed. The trip computer will let you see current speed, average speed, trip time, and trip distance just to name a few. The trip computer works very well and is very easy to operate.

Many people wonder how long it takes for it to find a signal from a satellite and these times may surprise you. If the unit is warm and ready to go around 15 seconds if you just turn it around 45 seconds those times are really not bad at all. The one big feature that I like about this model is the ability to be able to hook it to the computer. This means you will be able to download information to your laptop or desktop, look it over, and compare things if you want. The other big advantage is you can add things if you want which is a nice added touch.

Performance wise this is a very strong performer. I did not think much of it when I first saw one, but boy was I wrong. The Foretrex 201 can do many things and is very accurate. The lightweight design and ease of operation is something I really love about it. Most people do not realize that this unit can do so much. It is in such a small package and it will fool you with all it can do. A low-end entry price is another great selling point with this product. It is loaded with features and we have gone over some of them, but not all. This is a solid performer that will last you for many years.

Overall, my recommendation is grab one of these Garmin’s Gps Foretrex 201, as these are solid performers. They do much more than you would believe and make great gifts for the runner or walker in your family. Even people who frequent trails would love this. It is lighter than a watch so you should have no problem wearing during activities. This is a winner from Garmin and should be around for a long time to come.