GPS For Hiking – How to Find Your Way Around The Forest

It has almost become imperative to carry a GPS device on hiking trails. Besides keeping the hiker safe and explore new territories, newer ones also capture photos, record voice notes, and store waypoints. A GPS is mandatory to participate in geocaching events.

PHOTO BY FLICKR.COM/ASTRAGONY/

GPS for Hiking - Invaluable Safety Tool

Most hikers, whether amateurs or well experienced, use the GPS for hiking. Besides being an invaluable tool it is also a safety device. The GPS can show the location of the nearest road and marked waypoints lead the hiker to safety. The hiker has three choices when looking for a GPS for hiking: a stand-alone GPS apparatus, a PDA and a GPS-enabled mobile phone. Each have their pros and cons and its best that a careful match be made of what is available and the hiker’s needs.

Hiking GPS - Improve Quality of Hike

While making the choice of hiking GPS, there are some basic details that hikers must know. If the GPS is going to aid the traditional navigation tool like a paper map and the hiker can easily transfer data from one to the other, then almost all GPS devices in the market will suffice. Otherwise one will need a more sophisticated device. Please remember that all maps will not give as many details and contours as the traditional map.Usually the GPS devices that need charging are the ones with the shortest battery life. Rather than take a battery back-up it is preferable to use a device that uses normal regular batteries that are easy to source and replace.  And if your phone uses up its battery in reading maps then you have lost two safety devices in one shot.Buy hiking GPS equipped to show your location in relation to an electronic map. If not, you will have to rely on the compass provided. Service provider do not have authorized maps of each and every area or country, the same may need to be bought. Look for a unit that can store at least 500 user-entered waypoints and a good capacity for routes. In heavily wooded areas an external amplified antenna helps get better reception.The range of GPS equipment is quite wide. How much are you willing to spend will depend upon how much are you going to use it and where. The basic model comes with a black and white screen and minus maps; every added feature costs more.If the device is not weatherproof then it will have to carried around in a waterproof jacket. Also some devices need a stylus or a bare finger to operate, making operation with thick gloves clumsy.

Magellan GPS Systems - Award Winning

There are some excellent GPS devices in the market now like the Magellan GPS systems. The newly launched Magellan eXplorist series come fully equipped to take geotagged photos and record voice notes while on the hike. The same can be subsequently uploaded for sharing with others. The company won an award for its OneTouch menu that allows instant access to bookmarked locations, searches and functions.Earlier in the year Magellan had introduced an exclusive device for geocaching and another that can convert an iPod or iPod Touch into a handheld GPS device.The last thing that any hiker wants is to get lost; a GPS keeps you safe and enhances the experience.  It will help you get more from your adventure.  If you are a first-time user you can start with a basic model and gradually upgrade once you are clearer about what are your needs.  Photo source: flickr.com/astragony/