| Many marine electronics feature multifunction | | | | be read in direct sunlight, you solve this issue and |
| systems that already include GPS, such as GPS | | | | get access to GPS info at all times. |
| fish finder combos and GPS/chart plotter combos. | | | | If you are looking for a portable GPS to augment |
| Getting a handheld GPS for your boat might | | | | your built-in marine GPS, the Garmin Geko series |
| seem redundant if you already have a GPS/chart | | | | offers a super light weight, and relatively simple |
| plotter combo or a stationary GPS but consider | | | | GPS in a waterproof case with WAAS-enabled |
| the benefits. | | | | navigation. The Geko connects to a PC for |
| Unlike chartplotters or standard GPS receivers, | | | | user-configurable trip planning and can store up to |
| portable units are a lot less expensive. Handheld | | | | 10,000 trackpoints. |
| GPS units are just as reliable and accurate as | | | | Garmin's Oregon series is considered by some to |
| your other options so low price becomes a major | | | | be one of Garmin's best handhelds. It has a large |
| benefit. | | | | 3 inch display that is easy to read and performs |
| Portability is quite possibly the second most | | | | well in strong sunlight. The Oregon supports |
| obvious benefit of handheld GPS. If you want to | | | | turn-by-turn street navigation as well as Garmin's |
| be able to use your GPS both on and off the | | | | famous BlueChart G2 3-D map views for marine |
| boat, say in a car or while hiking, then you need a | | | | navigation, ocean and lake bed contours, harbors |
| handheld unit. | | | | and coastal roads. |
| On the other hand, small size has a major | | | | Garmin offers a full range of United States |
| drawback - small screen and small buttons. In | | | | coastal waters, inland lakes and international |
| rougher weather conditions hitting just the right | | | | waters in addition to its extensive worldwide land |
| keys or making out waypoints might become | | | | map coverage. Simply select the map set you are |
| difficult. | | | | interested in and use the SD-card slot to install |
| Another drawback of portability is that it implies | | | | the maps. The Oregon series is also PC |
| having to rely on batteries to operate your | | | | compatible for instant configuration and uploading |
| handheld GPS. In addition to monitoring battery | | | | waypoints, favorite routes, etc. |
| charge levels in your handheld and keeping | | | | Another great handheld GPS is from the marine |
| replacement batteries handy, make sure to select | | | | electronics heavyweight, Lowrance. The Lowrance |
| a model that can run on external power as well | | | | Endura Sierra is a high performance GPS with a |
| as on batteries. | | | | full range of features that comes fully loaded with |
| Even if you already have a GPS system in place, | | | | detailed topographic maps so you will lose no time |
| you might find a handheld unit helpful. For | | | | in beginning your outdoor adventures. It has a |
| example, if you use a computer connected to a | | | | large 2.7 inch color display and includes extensive |
| GPS receiver, you already know that you won't | | | | outdoor trails as well as on-road maps. This hot |
| be able to see much on your computer screen | | | | little GPS also has a built in MP3 player and video |
| unless it's below deck or otherwise shaded. By | | | | player. |
| choosing a handheld GPS with a screen that can | | | | |