What You should Know about Handheld GPS

A GPS or Global Positioning System was originally developed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense. Before it was used for commercial purposes, the GPS was used by the military for round the clock navigation for ground, sea and air operations. As the GPS became widely used for commercial purposes, it functions expanded to include monitoring and movement of people, cartography, forestry, mineral exploration, tracking down of endangered wildlife in their natural habitat and many more.

Originally, the GPS is operated on big computer systems but eventually; it has developed into something smaller - the handheld GPS. The good news about the handheld GPS is that it functions just like the GPS in more elaborate machines and it allows the user to generate information anytime and anywhere he or she may be.  Handheld GPS have now gained such a following that there are so many people all over the globe that constantly rely on the handheld GPS to help them navigate around the world and locate areas which are even beyond the navigation and location determination in the past.

Popular Handheld GPS Models

There are many handheld GPS models that are available in the market nowadays. One of the most popular models of handheld GPS is the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, which is considered as the fastest when it comes to locking onto the satellite. This handheld GPS is equipped with a 2.6 inch color screen, a barometric altimeter, an electronic compass and a special Geocaching menu. However, even if this handheld GPS is loaded with many functions, it only weights about seven ounces and could run for approximately 18 hours using two AA batteries. The Garmin GPS is rubberized and is water resistant. If you intend to wade or swim on your trip, you could count on this handheld GPS to survive.

The other popular handheld GPS is the Magellan eXplorist XL. This handheld GPS is has a 3.5 inch color screen which can be viewed even when exposed to sunlight. The large screen of the Magellan would give you an advantage when viewing the maps and getting the information you need. However, the downside of the Magellan GPS is that unlike the Garmin GPS, it does not have an altimeter or electronic compass. This handheld GPS also weighs about 12 ounces, which is rather heavy compared to the Garmin. The battery life of the Magellan is about 15 hours with the use of four AA batteries.