Garmin StreetPilot c320 GPS Receiver
42 Stores $147 - $637
Handheld GPS Buying Guide
Socrates said, “To find yourself, think for yourself.” We know he wasn’t speaking literally, but thanks to the increasing affordability of Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, they can do the thinking for you whether you’re in Athens, Greece or Athens, Georgia. Developed by the US Department of Defense for military tactics, GPS technology is a 24/7 radio navigation system that identifies and tracks the location of the GPS device virtually anytime, anywhere. GPS devices get their data from 24 satellites orbiting Earth. Locking into a minimum of three satellites determines your location in longitude and latitude. Some devices routinely lock into four satellites to provide altitude. Use of the satellite network is free—all you need is an unobstructed view of the sky, but while GPS devices will work under cloud cover and inside cars, they may falter under heavy tree canopies, inside tall buildings or tunnels, or dense urban areas with lots of skyscrapers. Not sure which brand or model to look at? Let Pronto’s GPS Buying Guide help you choose (see also Auto GPS Buying Guide).
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the five
What are the five key points I need to look at?
Functionality
How often and for what purpose(s) will you use your GPS device? Do you often drive long distances? Do you need traffic and alternate routing information? Or will you be taking it mountain climbing, biking or camping or all of the above? Are coordinate points enough for you or do you need street-level maps to guide you?
Maps and data storage
Determining how much you need your GPS to do will help narrow down which model is best for you. Devices come with dedicated hard drives and/or Compact Flash (CF) or Secure Digital (SD) cards.
Interface
Look for easy-to-read displays with easy-to-navigate menus. Hard-to-read displays, clunky menus or awkward button placement could mean the difference between loving your GPS device and using it as a doorstop.
Power Source
Do you need a continuous power source? Cigarette light adapters, additional battery packs and even solar chargers are available.
Accessories and options
If you’ll be using your device outdoors, you may want to look at rubberized cases to protect them from falls and/or waterproofing. Some Handheld GPS devices come with optional dashboard mounts for use in your vehicle.
pronto pick
What product do we recommend?
The Magellan CrossoverGPS, as the name implies, it is both a handheld GPS and an Auto GPS. But, don’t be fooled, it is also a rugged outdoor piece of equipment. Outside Magazine recently named the Magellan CrossoverGPS to their coveted list of “2007 Gear of the Year”. This GPS device is definitely in the higher price range, at around $500, but taking advantage of the dual functionality makes it a better value for most of us and worth the extra cash.
experts say
Outside Magazine - “With 32 hours of battery life, the Garmin eTrex Venture Cx GPS dusts the competition—at any price.” Killer Value Edition, 2007 Source: Outside Magazine
GPS Lodge.com - "The Garmin RINO 530HCx GPS/2Way Radio is a great tool for the outdoors that can not only get you there but also get you there, along with the rest of your party while being fully informed and in constant contact. " Source GPSLodge.com
GoodHouseKeeping - “Magellan eXplorist 210 GPS: Best for families and people on the go. Garmin GPS 60: Great for hikers, people who are not tech savvy and people who do not need detailed mapping.” Source: Good Housekeeping Magazine
hot buzz
What's the latest in the world of handheld GPS?
For all you Geomuggles, geo caching takes the best things about hide and seek, treasure hunting, out door hiking, and combines them in a high tech sport. Caches are hidden all over the world, and you use your GPS device to find the cache. What will you find? Each cache, usually the size of a shoe box, will contain a log book of others who have found the cache before you, plus a token. You can keep the token that you’ve found, as long as you replace the token with your personal token for future finders. Sound fun? Go to: http://www.geocaching.com/about/ to learn more and get started!
Wallet Impact
What can I expect in my price range?
| Price | Description | Good Pick (see all Handheld GPS) |
| $ | Expect to pay around $100-$200 for entry level handhelds. You’ll generally get lightweight non-mapping (i.e. no street or terrain maps) handheld GPS unit with a monochromatic (b/w) screen, digital compass, and about 8mb memory capacity for storing waypoints and route tracking capabilities. Good Pick: Lowrance iFinder GO2 Portable Handheld GPS |
Compare prices at 71 stores $60 - $136 |
| $$ | Mid range units are priced from $200-$350, and you will find plenty of choice in this range. Expect a lightweight GPS unit with a color display, electronic compass, the ability to load street and terrain maps, turn-by-turn routing for street maps and expandable memory generally up to 32mb Good Pick: Garmin Rhino 530 | |
| $$$ | On the high end of the price range, $350-$600, you’ll get a GPS unit that includes all the bells an whistles, including: a Barometric altimeter (mountain step counter), electronic compass, expandable memory up to 64, turn-by-turn routing, the latest ChipSets allowing for faster map rendering and satellite lock and a host of additional features such as Points-Of-Interest locations, geo-caching menus and games. And, to top it off, it should be waterproof too! Good Pick: Garmin MAP76S |
Compare prices at 4 stores $236 - $467 |
shop talk
What are the terms and definitions I need to know about?
Basemap
Provide general coverage of cities, towns, highways and bodies of water. Most units come equipped with built-in basemaps, but units without mapping are also available. Manufacturers may also offer basemapping software that allow you to upload new or different basemaps to the device.
Points of Interest (POI)
Specific map locations, such as ATMs, gas stations, restaurants, etc. If having access to these locations is important to you, you’ll want to look for devices that can connect to your computer for geo-targeted data downloads.
Waypoints
Specific locations delivered in latitude and longitude. The more waypoints your device can store, the more accurate its navigation output. Standard GPS devices come within 10-15 meters. If you need more accuracy, look for GPS devices that support Wide Area Augmentation Systems (WAAS) or Differential GPS, both of which increase accuracy to within 3 meters.
TTFF
Time to First Fix or the time the receiver takes to find its position in a new location. The SiRF Star III GPS receiver is the defacto standard for GPS devices because of its fast TTFF and its ability to acquire/maintain a signal in denser and more urban environments.
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