| What is the best kind of GPS system for you? | | | | navigation tool in Utah's deep, narrow canyons, |
| This depends on what you intend to use it for. | | | | where a map and compass can be almost useless. |
| Garmin 12 GPS is very good. There are various | | | | One word of warning, take very seriously the |
| models of the 12, 12XL etc. They can be found | | | | statement on the front of all GPS units "Do not |
| for under $150. The altimeter is usually off but | | | | rely on this unit as the primary source of your |
| once you find your position, most of the time the | | | | navigation." It's always a good idea to have a map |
| map tells me what my altitude is. They have a | | | | and compass with you when engaging in |
| pretty decent battery life since you rarely ever | | | | wilderness travel and use them right along with |
| use your GPS for 12 hours straight. | | | | the GPS. It can actually be kind of fun to see |
| The vendors selling GPS units are Garmin and | | | | how accurate you are with a compass and |
| Magellan, those are good brands and can meet | | | | compare map routes with GPS routes to see |
| your requirements quite well. There is a third | | | | why you ended up going the way you did. |
| player, Brunton (compass makers gone hi-tech). | | | | What are the numbers on a compass for and |
| They make very reasonably priced GPS units | | | | how do you use a compass? The numbers on the |
| with lots of bells and whistles. Garmin GPS records | | | | compass are for degrees or headings. They will |
| the distance travelled, speed, average speed, etc. | | | | tell you what direction to proceed on. The first |
| Make sure you get good battery life and enough | | | | thing you need to do is figure out what kind of |
| memory to be useful. | | | | compass you have, a floating dial or a floating |
| Mitac Mio 168 comes out well for my | | | | needle. |
| requirements but is more expensive, especially if | | | | As to emergency contact, you could buy an |
| you go for the tom tom mapping software too | | | | expensive Iridium/satellite phone - they can get a |
| (voice directions when I'm out on my motorbike!) | | | | signal just like a GPS does. They run over $1,000. |
| Most of the functions on GPS of this sort you | | | | It may also be possible to rent one. For real |
| can get from a map. Maps on pure GPS are not | | | | emergencies, not simply a vehicle breakdown, |
| as good as on a GPS/PDA but good maps for | | | | there is a GPS signaling device, much like ONStar |
| these are usually expensive. Some mountain | | | | (GM trademark), that can send an emergency |
| rescue team members use PDAs with 1:25000 | | | | signal. The final thing to do is to check in at the |
| OS mapping data for recording search patterns | | | | local ranger station, BLM office, forest service |
| etc. | | | | visitor center, etc., and see about leaving your |
| You really need to look at your own plans - for | | | | itinerary with them, as well as a promise to |
| instance, most backpackers use GPS to "confirm" | | | | check-out with them when leaving. If you don't |
| their position, and they don't use it to set | | | | check in, they would send someone out to check |
| waypoints, determine compass direction, navigate, | | | | on you. |
| etc. Many backpackers use it as an emergency | | | | |