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Fishing
Techniques :: Destinations :: General ::
GPS systems
::
General fishing articles ::
What
To Know When Buying A GPS
by Chuck Fitzgerald
Why are GPS units showing up everywhere? You might find
one in your rental car, on your wristwatch or even built
into your wireless phone. Anti-theft systems use one, heavy
construction equipment might use one and having one on your
boat now seems to be a requirement. Anytime we want to know
our exact location on the face of the Earth, the GPS becomes
indispensable. Like many other technologies, feature rich
GPS units are now affordable for the average person. So
how do you know which one to purchase? Let’s look
at few things to consider prior to buying your next GPS
unit, but first, what is a GPS unit?
A GPS
(Global Positioning System) unit has the primary function
of calculating its own location on land or water by using
satellite signals. Once the GPS unit knows its own location,
it can help the user determine direction and distance to
other known locations. For instance, a GPS on a boat can
tell the captain how far it is to the shoreline or how far
it is to a favorite fishing spot. For the outdoor sportsman
a GPS can help with finding your campsite, your vehicle
or your next geocache. Popular outdoor activities such as
hiking, hunting, fishing, trail running, backpacking, rock
climbing, canyoneering and canoeing are all made more enjoyable
and safer when you take along your GPS.
When
buying a GPS system the first thing to consider is how you
intend to use it. If you plan on using it while on foot,
you’ll want a GPS that is lightweight, compact, weather
resistant and that is equipped with features important to
foot travel. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) is one
such feature. WAAS greatly increases the accuracy of your
GPS, in most cases to within 10 feet. Accuracy within a
few meters is important for the outdoor enthusiast but not
nearly as important for navigating through town in your
rental car. Next, be sure your GPS has at least 12 channels
of reception too. Since your GPS will only work when it
receives signals from satellites orbiting the Earth, less
than 12 receiving channels will not get the job done in
wooded areas or in steep terrain. If you plan on using your
GPS to navigate while driving in your car, its weight is
not nearly as important as its ability to display street
maps. The GPS mounted to the dash of your truck probably
doesn’t need to be weatherproof, but the one on your
boat better be.
Here
are the features and products I recommend. For the outdoor
athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features:
topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface,
weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend
portable GPS units in the Garmin eTrex Series and the Magellan
Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your
GPS has these features: street mapping, large display, a
computer interface and external antenna compatibility. I
recommend automotive GPS units in the Garmin StreetPilot
Series and the Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and
other marine applications, be sure your GPS has these features:
marine mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking,
a computer interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine
GPS Units in the Garmin GPSMAP Series.
Prices
for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get
what you pay for. While some units cost around $100 and
offer relatively few features, others may cost as much as
$1000 or even more and are loaded with dozens of features.
Here is a good rule of thumb for determining how much money
to spend on your next GPS. You should expect to pay between
$200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex
Vista. I believe it is the best GPS available for under
$300.
If you
don’t have a GPS or yours is more than five years
old, now’s the time to get one. Adding a new GPS to
your inventory of backcountry toys will take your outdoor
adventures to a new level of enjoyment. Use this information
and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!
About
the Author
Chuck Fitzgerald is the owner of Arizona based BackCountry
Toys, an online specialty store with the “Best Gear
Out There” and dedicated to helping outdoor enthusiasts
to “Get It Right The First Time” with timely
educational information. Please visit http://www.BackCountryToys.com
to find great gear and to receive the Fact
For
more information on buying a GPS click here!
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