Handheld GPS Systems

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Handheld GPS systems (also known as PNDs, personal navigation devices), are growing in use every day and offer significant benefits in navigation, portability, and ease of use over their primary competition (preinstalled automotive units and smartphones).  Handheld GPS systems are used every day by millions of people to obtain geographical data and digital images.  These little beauties can fit in your pocket, and tell you to within feet where you are and how to get where you're heading.

There are various things to consider when purchasing a handheld GPS system.  They range from the superficial (do you like how it looks?  is the case pretty?), to the vitally important (do I have multi-parallel channels?)  Look and feel of the camera and case are self explanatory, but what's this about multi-parallel channels?  Essentially, this means that instead of having one satellite tracking your unit, it will have multiple.  In good conditions, this means getting a fix faster, in extreme conditions it can be the difference between getting a fix and getting nothing at all, so you can see why this is a critical feature!

Another thing to keep in mind will be the concept of waypoints.  Waypoints are basically locations which you can save to use as markers, or as points on your destination path that must be hit.  (ie give me directions to 303 Main St, but making sure I go by the intersection of First Ave and North St...the intersection of North St and First Ave would be your waypoint).  Most systems let you store a set number of predefined waypoints, pick a number you feel comfortable with, but I'd try to get at least 100.  In addition you'll want to be able to store routes, so find a unit that will allow for this.

Some other practical features are getting a durable unit (use your best judgement here) that can withstand being dropped, stepped on, etc.  I'd also recommend getting a waterproof unit as the last thing you want is to be stuck in the rain and have your handheld GPS system get zapped into a groovy looking but useless paper weight.  A backlight is also very useful for obvious reasons.  (basically you want to look at the purchase not so much for how you'll use it normally, but how you may have to use it should an emergency situation occur, or you find yourself in unfamiliar circumstances)

I'd also try to pick a unit that allows you to enter a location and give you back your current direction and distance from said location.  This is an inordinately useful feature, and the primary fallback when you realize that you are being fed faulty street directions (this can be due to old roads closing down, construction etc, but it does happen at the worst possible moments)  Also check to see that your GPS can make use of local data maps, or UTM grid data maps.

I hope this has helped you get an idea for what to look for when shopping for handheld GPS systems.  Take a look around the site, especially our frequently updated Models page, check out some of our advertisers, and feel free to use the contact page and let me know if there is anything you would like to see added!