| lobal Positioning System (GPS) is a navigational | | | | activities such as biking, golf and hiking. Handheld |
| system consisting of a number of satellites that | | | | units are usually very easy to use and have |
| enables anyone to know their position on Earth. It | | | | displays that are simple to read. You can even |
| works regardless of the weather, day or night, | | | | find some GPS units that are voice enabled. |
| using radio signals that bounce between the | | | | The many different handheld GPS gadgets that |
| receiver on Earth and the satellite in space. It is | | | | on the market today can make it difficult to |
| the only fully functional navigation system that | | | | choose one. Rest assured there are many that |
| can be used anywhere in the world. | | | | will meet your needs. For example, the Garmin |
| Electronics in general has become smaller and | | | | StreetPilot 7500 GPS Portable has a 7 inch screen |
| smaller, and GPS technology is no exception. | | | | and a wireless remote. It also features maps of |
| Today, you can find many GPS devices which | | | | US and Canada included, built in antennae, WASS |
| you can hold and operate in the palm of your | | | | enabled and a MP3 player so you listen to music |
| hand. Most of these handheld devices are | | | | on the boring parts of your trip. |
| designed to be used outdoors such as when you | | | | A palm sized GPS unit is the Garmin eTrex |
| are traveling, hiking or skiing. The GPS unit can not | | | | Handheld GPS. The buttons on this gadget are all |
| only provide navigational details such as where | | | | on the one side to enable you to use it with just |
| you are and how to get to where you want to | | | | one hand and is specifically manufactured to meet |
| go, but other details such as local and topographic | | | | the needs of hunters, climbers, hikers and bikers. |
| details. Some even provide details on the weather | | | | The software can be updated for free. Another |
| forecast. | | | | Garmin is the Garmin GPS III Plus which has great |
| Corresponding to the decrease in size has been | | | | reception even in the densest of areas. |
| the decrease in cost. You can find a good quality | | | | A popular Magellan GPS is the Road Mate 2000. |
| handheld GPS system at a very affordable price. | | | | Portable, affordable and powerful, it is extremely |
| One small issue with many handheld GPS is the | | | | easy to read the screen with anti-glare and bright |
| size of their memory due to the need for them | | | | features. It also has a battery with a long life. |
| to be compact. By spending a little extra, you can | | | | Buying a handheld unit is very easy. There are |
| usually get a unit which has up to 16MB of | | | | many listed in online stores or at your local |
| memory, and these types are typically more | | | | electronic store. Make sure you do your home |
| powerful with extra features. | | | | work and buy a well know brand that is known |
| Bikers, hikers, skiers and travelers use handheld | | | | for its quality. It is also a good idea to test drive |
| GPS units in their activities and there are many | | | | the GPS unit to ensure that you find it easy to |
| devices specifically designed for particular outdoor | | | | use. |