May 10, 2010

Track Your Location with a Handheld GPS Unit

Global positioning products are wildly used and loved by drivers who would like to navigate safely through unfamiliar or busy areas. Although, if you consider the earliest applications of global positioning devices, you quickly discover that GPS devices were most commonly used by campers and other people exploring the great outdoors who want to steer clear of getting lost. As soon as designers started developing the technology in the newest GPS devices for car owners, the new technologies were put to use in the handheld GPS models also. These state of the art handheld GPS devices are designed very much like mobile phones thanks to their shape and LCD screen. Another great model to consider is TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Most of the GPS devices used in autos could also be useful for people on foot as long as they are comfortable with the interface. Most of the GPS devices designed by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan are small enough to cradle in your hand or keep inside your pocket. However when it comes to working with the appliance while hiking or using just one hand, more appropriate interface might be needed. What follows is a list of a few products to think about.

Magellan Triton Series

The Magellan Triton series is a useful series to think about because every one of the models from the Sunday driver to the arctic explorer package all appear identical. The most affordable models start with an acceptable 2.2” QVGA color display while a few of the higher end models come with a slightly larger screen of 2.7”. Each of the Magellan units sport a resilient construction which is waterproof, so you can safely carry them along as you are crossing rivers or during rainy seasons.

A few of the Magellan models have an AdventurePack label on them which means that those models contain some particular software called the TOPO! Explorer. Determined explorers need to absolutely think about purchasing these packages. The benefit of Magellan’s array of products is that there will be a Triton GPS unit that fits your budget with such a range of products to pick from. Another nice option to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Garmin Series

Garmin offers a large collection of handheld products and each individual series is made for specific kinds of navigation. For instance, the GPSMAP 7X series models are all saltwater-friendly and designed for sailing on the open seas, while the GPSMAP 6X series models benefit from a more durable casing for heavy duty treatment, yet are still affordable and are provided with a useful set of features like microSD support and effective navigation.

The eTrex series are handheld GPS devices consumers ought to look for when the price is a primary factor. They are also lightweight with some of them offering a display big enough to navigate with ease.

In case you consider yourself a professional traveler who would like a product which is really durable and prepped with powerful features, the Colorado or Oregon series will probably live up to your expectations. Both series come with a multifunctional touch-screen display, a function not included in other Garmin series, and they also come with different maps depending on the exact model you get.

Be aware that the aforementioned handheld GPS devices shouldn’t be used for driving unless your passenger is using it. If you aren’t looking for most of the more powerful features and could use one device that is able to help you on either the highway or the trail, it might be very practical to get an all-in-one device that you can keep in an automobile or by hand. Another good item to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

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