How do I know which unit is right for me?

In order to know which GPS unit is best for your uses, you must decide which features you want and how much you are willing to spend.  We will start at the least expensive and work our way up.

First, there are the Bushnell Backtrackers.  These are used to simply keep you from getting lost.  Enter the location of your car or campsite, then you can go exploring and always find your way back to where you started. 

Next are the monochrome display units. The one we offer is a part of the Garmin eTrex line.  It is the eTrex H, which has to have the waypoints loaded in manually.  It has memory for 500 waypoints.

Next up are the "low tech" color display units.  Starting at 24 MB of memory are the Magellan Triton 200 and the eTrex Venture HC. The basic difference between them is that the Venture has a basemap (cities, towns, highways, water, etc.) of North and South America and the Triton has only the lower 48 states, Canada, and Alaska.  The Triton 300 includes all of North America.  The eTrex Summit HC is like the Venture, but adds a compass and altimeter.  For greater flexibility the Triton 400 adds an SD-Card slot to the features of the Triton 300.  An SD-Card allows you to purchase and add a pre-programmed card with maps of special locations (i.e. - National Park trail maps, foreign countries, etc.).  The eTrex Legend HCX adds the SD slot to the features of the Venture HC.  The eTrex Vista HCX is like the Summit with the added SD slot.  The Triton 500 adds a compass and altimeter to the features of the Triton 400.

The Bushnell ONIX series has a basemap of the U.S. and Canada.  However, it allows you to download actual satellite images and aerial photos of the area. The ONIX 350 adds a digital compass.  The ONIX 400 adds 170 channels of XM satellite radio and weather.

Now we get into the state of the art touchscreen technology.  The Garmin Oregon series is cutting edge.  The Oregon 200 includes a basemap of North and South America.  The Oregon 300 adds the shaded contour map feature.  The Oregon 400T adds U.S. Topo maps.  The Magellan Triton 2000 is a touchscreen model that allows you to download and play music. It also has a digital voice recorder, a 2 MP digital camera and an LED flashlight.

If you want a handheld GPS unit that will also give you turn by turn instructions for your car or bike, then you want the Lowrance Endura Sierra. Of course there is a monthly subscription fee for the service.

There are also GPS Position Locators which you can use in a number of ways. If you are a long-distance hiker, they allow you to upload your coordinates, by satellite, to a website. In this way friends and/or family can monitor your progress. They can also be used to summon help to your location in the case of an emergency.  This is the SPOT Personal Locator.

There are many different options. The choice is yours!

How do I look for the right product on this site?

This website is set up so that you can look for your product in a couple of ways.  You can view products as top of the line vs budget units.  You can also view by manufacturer. 

How does using a GPS unit enhance my outdoor experience?

I find that a GPS unit is great to have with me.  I can load in the starting and ending points of my hike.  I like knowing how far I am from the shelter or campsite I am headed to.  I enjoy reading my statistics at the end of the day (i.e. - Distance traveled, average speed including and not including rest stops, how long I stopped for, elevation gained, etc.)  There are also downloadable maps to National Parks with all the trail information.  At one point (I almost hate to say it) I had to be rescued, and I could tell the fire department my exact location.  There is also the possibility of adding the activities of geocaching and/or benchmark hunting to your hike.

Does using a GPS receiver make hiking safer?

That is a loaded question.  The answer could be yes or no depending on the hiker.  You must always be prepared for the difficulty level of the hike you have chosen.  You can use the unit to keep you from getting lost by backtracking to the start.  Having a GPS unit can help locate you in a time of emergency.  Some of the less expensive units only show the direction you want to head in.  They do not show the terrain between you and your goal.  You should never place yourself in a dangerous situation by willful ignorance of your surroundings.

How long does it take to receive my unit once I have ordered?

Under normal circumstances, your product will go out within 48 hours of placing your order.  Please note that when using UPS, a street address must be used (No PO Boxes).  If you must use a PO Box, then choose USPS Parcel Post as your shipper. 

What if I have a problem after the sale is complete?

Just go to the Contact Us page and let us know the problem.  We will usually get back to you within 24 hours.

Are handheld GPS units only for hikers?

Absolutely not!!!  A handheld GPS unit can enhance any outdoor activity.  Hunters can use them to record the location of a favorite blind and the path used to get there.  Fishermen can use it to record a hot spot along the river.  They are also great for biking, walking, cross-country and telemark skiing, snowshoeing and camping just to name a few.