Garmin Geko 201 Review

The Garmin Geko 201 GPS is one of the smallest, lightest weight handheld receivers available. A mere 2.3 ounces, this unit won’t slow you down in the field. The primary differences between this and other Gekos is as follows — the 201 offers a data port, allowing you to transfer waypoints, routes and tracks between it and a  computer. The Geko 101 doesn’t offer this feature; the Geko 301 adds an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. None of the Gekos allow you to load maps.

21 reviewers at Amazon gave the Geko an average rating of 4 out of 5. The editors there said…

"The Garmin Geko 201 is one of the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units on the market. This inexpensive unit has a sleek design and a simple operating system and is WAAS-enabled with an accuracy of 10 feet or less. With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows for ample waypoint and route storage, making it a perfect entry-level handheld GPS unit for basic navigation.

The Garmin Geko 201 features a user-configurable trip computer with 500 user waypoints that allow up to 20 reversible routes, as well as an automatic track log with up to 10,000 trackpoints and 10 savable tracks that let you retrace your path in both directions. This unit also includes external ports that provide an external power connection and allow for PC connectivity–making it a breeze to upload software upgrades."

Here’s what others are saying about the Geko 201:

• GPS Information.net offers this Geko 201 review.
• Pocket GPS World shows numerous screenshots in their Gecko 201 review.
• Cleared for the Option has also posted a Garmin Geko 201 review.
• To round things out, here’s a Garmin Gecko 201 review from Digital Grove.
• Ben’s Journal reviews the Geko 201.

Here are some additional resources that may prove useful:

• The official Garmin Geko 201 web page.
• A PDF version of the Geko 201 owners manual.
• Garmin Geko tips.
• Want to see how the Geko stacks up against other units? Try this Garmin handheld comparison tool.
• The alt.satellite.gps.garmin group is a great Garmin discussion forum.

Find the best prices on the web for GPS devices at Shopping.com or buy the Garmin Geko 201 at eBay.

Gekos are the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units on the market—inexpensive, with sleek designs and simple operating systems.

With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows more waypoint and route storage, as well as available PC and external power connectivity, and built-in WAAS capability. In addition, the Geko 201 boasts a user-configurable trip computer, 10,000 trackpoints, a new upcoming-turn feature, as well as PanTrack™ and TracBack®.

The Geko 201 also includes four fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one’s trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtual Maze.

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