garmin gps systems Updates

5 Top Picks For Handheld GPS

By John Rivers

Before, people have laboriously made sure they know where they are heading to just to avoid getting lost. They created detailed maps, erected landmarks, and memorized the positions of the stars in the night sky. But that was before.

Later, with the availability of accurate maps, nobody has to memorize the stars in the sky and nobody has to erect landmarks.

Today, there is no need to do all these things. With a device that could pinpoint your exact location in an instant, you can eliminate all the hassles of early practices. So when you are out for a hike, mountain climb, or just a simple camp out on the wilderness, all you need is one device: handheld GPS.

To help you choose one that is right for you, here are the top picks for handheld GPS:

� Cobra GPS 1000 DLX Handheld Navigator- is a battery operated handheld GPS that is capable of guiding your way through different US state highway, boundaries, European countries, provincial boundaries of Canada, and several other worldwide cities. All you have to do is install your desired location from a software to this receiver and you will see where you are going in its 2.8in w x 6.1in h x 1.3in d 1.8in w x 2.4in h display. It uses Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) for more accurate pinpointing of location with ASAP II Technology� that makes this handheld GPS works 2 times faster that ordinary GPS receiver. It uses a 32 mega-byte memory card for map installation. The Cobra GPS 1000 DLX Handheld Navigator keeps you on course wherever you are.

� Garmin eTrex Vista - If there could be one GPS available in the market today with supreme functionality and jam-packed features; the Garmin eTrex Vista should be the one. The Garmin eTrex Vista has 24MB internal memory capacity capable of storing numerous kinds of data and can store different types of maps. The high resolution LCD gives Garmin eTrex Vista the advantage in giving crisp details for easy reading even for small type. With the use of Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), it provides less than 3 meters of position accuracy. And the eTrex can stay dry for 30 mins under 3 ft. of water with its waterproof coating and rubber for shock absorption.

� StreetPilot 2650 GPS Handheld - Once you are out on the wild or making finding the way between tall buildings, the StreetPilot 2650 can do its job best. It possesses all features of the 2610 as well as a large color display, built-in maps, a voice prompt, and an automatic route capability with touch screen that makes navigation easier. It can pinpoint your exact position with accuracy that depends on the WAAS technology.

� Garmin eTrex Standard - If you want simple yet could make your way to your desired destination, the Garmin eTrex should be your choice. Though it lacks other upgraded features you would look for a GPS, you wont be having any trouble using it. This pocket size GPS is perfect for beginners.

� Magellan GPS 315 - If you want worldwide navigation, this one is for you. With more than 15,000 cities available, this pocket-sized GPS could get you going anywhere in the world.

These 5 wrap up the top picks for handheld GPS. It is up to you to decide which one you should prefer.

About The Author

John Rivers is the owner of GPS Navigation Systems. On his website you can find information on everything related to GPS.

Most receivers let you enter a waypoint from a previously saved coordinate record or import one from a collection of waypoints, many of which you can download from Web sites offering GPS information. Each GPS receiver uses different steps to establish waypoints, so consult your manual for the details. If your GPS device lacks a 'waypoint' option, don't fret. Some units, such as the Garmin StreetPilot 5, save waypoints as 'Recent Finds' or 'favorites'.
Get a great new Magellan GPS

Get a software program that allows you to print customized maps, showing your waypoints, previous trails you have taken, etc. CD-based map sets like National Geographic TOPO! are great for this.
Get a great new Garmin quest GPS unit

It�s a good idea to clear the track log at the start of each walk. This will make it easier to use the track back function and retrace your steps back to the start of your walk. It will also mean you have plenty of memory available to hold your track information. This is especially true if you plan on a long walk or a short expedition.
Get a great new recreational GPS

Lots of interesting articles from today's PC World. First up, Microsoft Takes on MapQuest: "MSN launches MapPoint online mapping service, offering maps, directions, and more."

Apparently this is going to be yet another component of MS' push for .Net services with hooks into other MSN services. MapPoint is XML-based, which makes it interesting in other ways, and there it launches with a phone-based direction service. The articles notes that this is another step towards location-based services. "For example, you might someday be able to click on a Windows Messenger buddy's name and retrieve a map showing the location of his or her home."

Good or bad? You make the call. I like parts of this, but I'm incredibly wary of .Net.

Qualcomm's Vision of the Wireless Future "When he finished, there were 20 brand-new, CDMA-based mobile handsets and devices arrayed on the table, the high-tech souvenirs of Belk's most recent trip to Hong Kong and Japan.... 'These are not PowerPoint slides,' Belk said. 'These are real devices that are already shipping in volume in Asia.' " at Business 2.0]

And there's the rub. When I do my presentations, that's all I have - pictures of prototypes or of devices not available in the U.S. Europe and Asia really are 18 months ahead of us in this area.

"Beale also discussed Qualcomm's gpsOne location technology.... It also opens the door for many new location-based services, such as traffic information and local weather forecasts. On Japan KDDI's network, there are already more than 20 location-based services available -- all of which are relatively inexpensive, costing less than $5 per month."

I'm looking forward to being able to travel and have information come to me automatically based on my location. For example, if I'm at a conference and I'm looking for a restaurant, I'd like my phone/PDA/whatever to know where I am and offer a list of nearby choices. Maybe it should tell me what movies or plays are on tonight and if there are still tickets available. You get the idea....

"Predictably, both Belk and Beale anticipate strong growth for the wireless industry as ever-more-compelling products and services become available and the industry settles on a single communication standard. How long will that take? Belk, whose career began in the personal computing business in 1983, likened the wireless industry today to the PC business of the 1980s. 'I wouldn't worry about the wireless industry yet, it's still relatively young,' he said. 'Just look how long it took the PC industry just to get to the point of standardized parallel cables.' "

Not to beat a dead horse, but the ebook industry is even younger than PCs, and PDAs have really only come into their own during the last few years. So don't count any of these technologies out just yet.

Global Positioning Systems offer everything from hole overviews to Internet access "Shortgrass Technologies' Internet-based sports information system and financial ticker enables golfers to check college football scores on a Saturday afternoon or the price of stocks any weekday. Global positioning systems can track golf cars no matter where they are on the course, thus discovering bottlenecks and slower play. Golfers can order beverages and food en route to the turn, so golf clubs can offer more than a quick hot dog - a higher priced chicken sandwich, for instance...."

I always thought that GPS would go mainstream in automobiles first, and in a way I suppose it has, but maybe golfers will lead the real charge. I could have used a portable, library-centered GPS system myself to navigate the Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library when I was there last fall!

lowrance gps
Tags: car gps | garmin auto gps