Handheld GPS 101: Routes vs. Tracks
This is the fourth in a series of posts designed to help introduce beginners to the use of handheld GPS receivers.
I’ve covered both routes and tracks in this series, so now it’s time to do a direct comparison. Here are some key differences:
Routes are about where you are planning to go; tracks are about [...]
Garmin Colorado 400 series discontinued
Earlier this week, Garmin moved the Colorado 400 series to their discontinued list. The Colorado was the first high-resolution handheld introduced by Garmin, but it was quickly followed by the touch-screen Oregon, where it seems most of Garmin’s development efforts were focused. The Colorado series never did get some of the features found on [...]
Handheld GPS 101: Tracks
This is the third in a series of posts designed to help introduce beginners to the use of handheld GPS receivers.
Tracks are a record of where you’ve been. People often use the term “breadcrumb trail,” a la Hansel and Gretel, to describe tracks. Your GPS receiver creates this record as you go along, allowing you [...]
Handheld GPS 101: Routes
This is the second in a series of posts designed to help introduce beginners to the use of handheld GPS receivers.
Routes are used for navigation. As the name implies, they are about where you are going. Routes consist of a series of waypoints, navigated to sequentially in the order you specify.
Most GPS receivers allow [...]
Getting over SiRFstar III
The most common handheld GPS question I get these days is about chipsets. People agonize about buying a unit without the SiRFstar III chip, partly because GPS enthusiasts like me have long sung its praises. So it’s time to set the record straight, or at the very least give you my opinion on the newer [...]
Handheld GPS 101: Waypoints
This is the first post in a new series, designed to help introduce beginners to handheld GPS receivers.
Waypoints are perhaps the single most important handheld GPS term, since they are key to navigation. So here’s our definition: A waypoint is a location which can be stored in your GPS receiver in the form of coordinates, [...]
SPOT gets some competition
The SPOT Satellite Messenger is getting some new competition from personal locator beacons (PLBs). These emergency devices utilize the Cospas-Sarsat satellite system designed to aid in search and rescue missions. The advantage SPOT has enjoyed, is the ability to send non-distress signals. Today, Cobham Life Support-ACR Products announced a new service that will take [...]
Garmin Foretrex 401
The Garmin Foretrex 401 is a bit unusual. This wrist-mounted unit isn’t a full-fledged sportswatch, nor does it have the feature set found in some of the nicer handheld GPS receivers. It’s probably best suited for folks wanting to minimize the weight of backcountry gear and have the unit conveniently available.
Garmin Dakota 10
The Garmin Dakota 10 is a smaller version of Garmin’s successful Oregon models. The Dakotas appear poised to replace the eTrex series, bringing all of the Oregon’s touch screen goodness while retaining the eTrex’s small form factor, light weight and long battery life.
Garmin eTrex Vista H
The Garmin eTrex Vista H is a new, relatively low-end model in the eTrex line up. It is a monochrome unit, though it does offer an electronic compass and barometric altimeter. Step down to the Legend H and you’ll even drop those two features. The Vista H can accommodate maps, but is limited to [...]
