Buyer’s Guide to GPS Devices

Handheld Devices

Pricing key for handheld devices (based on manufacturer’s suggested retail price):

$$$ = under $100

$$$$ = $101-$200

$$$$$$ = $201-$300

$$$$$$$ = $301+

Manufacturer/model: Brunton/Get-Back GPS

Price: $$$

Weight: 1.3 oz.

Use: Fitness, outdoor

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): Contact manufacturer

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: Rechargeable battery. USB cable included

Features: Saves 3 waypoints, directs the fasted route back to selected waypoint, self-calibrating digital compass that does not require satellite

Manufacturer/model: Magellan/eXplorist GC North America

Price: $$$$

Weight: 5.2

Use: Primarily geocaching, outdoor, fitness

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): 2.2"

Color screen: Yes

Included maps: Preloaded worldwide map with complete road network of North America and Western Europe, street maps of major roads in populated world, view parks, rivers, lakes, major city points and other landmarks around target geocaches

Power source: 2 AA

Features: connection to Geocaching.com user community, 30 Day trial premium Geocaching.com membership, preloaded popular geocaches, sulight readable screen, 10,000 stored geocaches, waterproof, picture viewer, saves 500 waypoints, logs total steps and track, average speed, elevation gain/descent, 500 MB of memory

Manufacturer/model: Garmin/Dakota 20

Price: $$$$

Weight: 5.25 oz.

Use: Fitness, geocaching, outdoor

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): 2.6"

Color screen: Yes

Included maps: Base maps with the ability to add maps, built-in memory of 850 MB, compatible with microSD card for additional maps

Power source: 2 AA

Features: Saves 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes and 200 tracks, automatic routing, electronic compass, barometric altimeter, hunt/fish calendar, sun/moon information, tide tables, customizable points-of-interest, transfer data wirelessly with similar units

Manufacturer/model: Garmin/eTrex 20

Price: $$$$

Weight: 5 oz.

Use: Geocaching, outdoor

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): 2.2"

Color screen: Yes

Included maps: Base maps with the ability to add maps, built-in memory of 1.7 GB, compatible with microSD card for additional maps

Power source: 2 AA

Features: Saves 2,000 waypoints, 200 routes and 200 tracks, waterproof, automatic routing, sun/moon information, tide tables, customizable points-of-interest, picture viewer

Manufacturer/model: DeLorme/Earthmate PN-60 with Topo North America

Price: $$$$

Weight: 7 oz.

Use: Geocaching, outdoor, fitness

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): 2.2"

Color screen: Yes

Included maps: Aerial/satellite images, 3-D topographic maps of North America with 360-degree rotation, detailed U.S. trail information, Mexico’s main roads, information on boat ramps, campgrounds, hunting and fishing spots, street maps, points-of-interest, compatible with microSD card for additional maps

Power source: AA

Features: Electronic compass, barometric altimeter, waterproof, built-in memory of 3.5 GB, unlimited waypoints and tracks (with purchases of memroy card), sunlight-readable screen, vibration/shock resistant, 11,000 U.S. national forest trails, odometer, trip time, speed

Manufacturer/model: Garmin/Oregon 650T

Price: $$$$$$$

Weight: 7.4 oz.

Use: Geocaching, outdoor

Type: Handheld Device

Screen Size (diagonal): 3"

Color screen: Yes

Included maps: Base maps with the ability to add maps, preloaded topographical maps, built-in memory of 4 GB, compatible with microSD card for additional maps

Power source: 2 AA or rechargeable NiMH pack (included)

Features: Saves 4,000 waypoints, 200 routes and 200 tracks, waterproof, automatic routing, electronic compass, barometric altimeter, 8 megapixel camera with autofocus and digital zoom, hunt/fish calendar, sun/moon information, tide tables, customizable points-of-interest, picture viewer, transfer data wirelessly with similar units

Wrist Devices

Pricing key for wrist devices (based on manufacturer’s suggested retail price):

$$$$ = $100–$200

$$$$$$ = $201–$300

$$$$$$$= $301+

Manufacturer/model: Soleus/GPS Vibe

Price: $$$$

Weight: 2.3 oz.

Use: Outdoor, fitness

Type: Wrist Device

Screen Size (diagonal): N/a

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: Rechargeable battery

Features: vibration feedback, current/average pace and speed, 6 training interval timers, current/total calories burned, water resistant

Manufacturer/model: Garmin/Foretrex 401

Price: $$$$

Weight: 3.1 oz.

Use: Fitness, outdoor

Type: Wrist Device

Screen Size (diagonal): N/a

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: 2 AAA

Features: Saves 500 waypoints and 10 tracks, electronic compass, barometric altimeter, hunt/fish calendar, sun and moon information, transfer data wirelessly with similar units, waterproof

Manufacturer/model: TomTom/Runner

Price: $$$$

Weight: 1.75 oz.

Use: Fitness, Outdoor

Type: Wrist Device

Screen Size (diagonal): N/a

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: Rechargeable battery

Features: Measures pace, distance, calories burned and heart rate with optional accessory, compass, graphical training partner, waterproof, Quick GPSFix technology, indoor and outdoor tracking, sync and share stats on multiple running sites/apps

Manufacturer/model: Garmin/Forerunner 310XT

Price: $$$$$$

Weight: 2.5 oz.

Use: Fitness, outdoor, swimming

Type: Wrist Device

Screen Size (diagonal): N/a

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: Rechargeable battery

Features: Saves 1,000 laps and 100 waypoints, some versions have heart rate monitors, bike speed/cadence sensor, syncs automatically to computer, water resistant, train against virtual partner, compete against previous activities, multiple sport modes, customizable workouts, alerts user when goal is reached, customizable screens

Manufacturer/model: Suunto/Suunto Ambit2

Price: $$$$$$$

Weight: 3.25 oz.

Use: Fitness, outdoor

Type: Wrist Device

Screen Size (diagonal): N/a

Color screen: No

Included maps: N/a

Power source: Rechargeable battery

Features: adjustable GPS recording interval, find location in multiple coordinate systems, waypoint and route navigation, point-of-interest creation, route planning, barometric altimeter, total ascent/descent, graphs altitude, temperature, manual and autolaps, countdown timer, interval timer, ability to change sport mode during workout, preconfigured multisport modes, sports comparison, track running speed/pace, bike lap, swimming time/lap/total, swimming pace/distance, swimming stroke rate/count/type, automatic intervals, dynamic lap table with strokes/pace/duration