GPS for Hikers
GPS for Hikers
The best GPS for drivers is not necessarily the best GPS for hikers. The following are the top features to look for in a GPS for hikers.
Weather Resistance
Stuck out in the elements is the last place you need your GPS for hiking to give out on you. When the clouds are thick and the rain is pouring, visibility at its worst, that’s when you need your GPS the most. That means the best GPS for hiking must be waterproof. Similarly, a weather resistant GPS for hiking is essential to avoid being caught outdoors in unfamiliar ground in the extreme heat or cold with your GPS giving out on you.
Long Battery Life
When you’ve been hiking for hours, you need to know that you can pull out your GPS at a moment’s notice to keep you on course. In these instances a dead battery is not an option. The best hand held GPS for hiking is one that will provide you the longest amount of steady, reliable power.
Large Memory Capacity
The more maps you can store in a GPS for hikers the more ground you can cover. A large memory capacity in your GPS for hiking gives you peace of mind, knowing you have freedom to be spontaneous and explore an interesting route off your intended course. The ability of a GPS for hikers to store something in the range of 20 maps enables you to truly explore those paths less traveled.
Signal Clarity / Easily Updatable
Under the cover of trees or surrounded by mountains, signals can be tricky to pick up. So two other features the best GPS for hiking possess are an extended antenna and 12-channel receiver. Also, on ground less trodden the topography and terrain displayed in your GPS for hikers maps may not be as current or detailed as they need to be. You need to be able to easily update your GPS for hikers maps on a moment’s notice.
Look & Feel
A hand held GPS for hikers should be lightweight and fit easily in the palm of your hand. At the same time, however, the screen should be large enough for you to see the finer detail necessary for a traveler on foot.
In a car, circumstances like weather, battery drain, full memory, signal issues, and a bulky weight with a small screen are merely annoying, at worst. In a GPS for hikers, however, those problems could make the difference between life and death.
