GPS Navigation Systems

Finding your way accurately through unfamiliar wilderness can be as simple as following a precise map on the display on your personal Global Positioning System (GPS). These devices use a satellite navigation system that was launched by the U.S. Department of Defense in 1978 and was declassified for civilian use in 1983. The navigation and handheld systems use state-of-the-art technology that can locate your position anywhere in the world. GPS receivers that use the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) can pinpoint your position within 3 meters, about 9 feet.

GPS Navigation Systems
These high-tech units show accurate and up-to-date street, trail, and topographical information. They also inform you of your heading, longitude and latitude, and mph. They also have the ability to mark waypoints for backtracking and future reference, to monitor and track other vehicles and people, or to simply guide you from one location to another. Additional GPS software is available for specific travel and sporting needs.

Listed below are some of the manufacturers of GPS devices and software that can help set you on the right course, keep you on course, and get you back again.

Delorme
Earthmate GPS Receiver: A high-performance, compact GPS receiver that's smaller than a business card and works with USB laptops, Pocket PCs, OS handheld computers, and Bluetooth enabled devices. Earthmate features include: 2 to 5 meter accuracy with included Street Atlas USA for the entire U.S.; flexible design enables use with DeLorme accessories including Bluetooth wireless docking station and PDAs; rapid real-time GPS signal updates, voice recognition technology; back-on-track routing; 4.2 million places of interest; SiRF FoliageLock for weak signal tracking; WAAS enabled; and excellent urban canyon performance.

Contact: DeLorme, Dept. 4WDSU, 2 DeLorme Dr., P.O. Box 298, Yarmouth, ME 04096, (800) 561-5105, www.delorme.com.

Garmin
Rino 110 and 120: Garmin has taken handheld GPS devices one step further and offers the ultimate in navigation and communication. These units are GPS-enabled devices for the Family Radio Service (FRS) and General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) markets. These robust and waterproof two-way radios have the ability to beam your exact location to another Rino user within a 2 mile range with peer-to-peer position reporting. You can transmit your exact location to a friend, a family member, or a distant four-wheeler. This is a great feature to have in an emergency because it helps rescuers pinpoint your exact location. Model 110 offers standard FRS/GMRS features such as 220 channels, 38 squelch codes and external voice activation, and a 12-channel GPS receiver with WAAS. It also features extensive waypoint storage, TracBack technology, multiple positions formats, and a built-in trip computer. The Rino 120 has all the features of the 110 and adds a base map of North and South America, which includes major cities, highways, thoroughfares, rivers, lakes, rivers, lakes coastlines, state and national borders, and railways. The 120 has 8 megabytes of internal memory for downloadable cartography, providing topographic, bathymetric, and street-level information.

GPS V: This unit is a versatile handheld navigator that delivers automatic routing and detailed mapping with WAAS capability. The unit comes with the MapSource City Select CD, which gives you access to detailed street-level maps with locations of restaurants, hotels, and other services. Use the GPS V to look up a location and it will automatically calculate a route and guide you to your destination with turn-by-turn directions and audible beeps that alert you of upcoming turns. The display has the ability to be switched from horizontal for mounting on a vehicle dash to vertical for handheld use. Features include additional software for adventure, a portable antenna, a PC interface cable, an automotive mount, a 12-volt vehicle power adapter, a wrist strap owner's manual, and a quick start guide. Deluxe versions and additional software are available for your adventures.

Contact: Garmin International Inc., Dept. 4WDSU, 1200 E. 151st St., Olathe, KS 66062, (913) 397-8200, www.garmin.com.

Magellan
Meridian Color: This handheld GPS receiver will present all your positioning and navigation information in full color. The Meridian color offers WAAS tracking accuracy with an extensive 16 MB, built-in mapping database that provides an easy way to view your location, heading, and route on a large, high-contrast, high-color 120x160 pixel display. The Meridian Color is rugged enough to handle any adventure and is designed to get you where you are going. The devise will pinpoint your location by tracking as many as 12 GPS satellites simultaneously, and it's accurate to within 3 meters. The unit is easy-to-use, with nine customized graphic navigation displays showing a map, a compass, a speedometer, and text readouts of heading, bearing, speed, direction, ETA, and more. The Meridian can store as many as 20 routes, 500 waypoints, and 2,000 track points to help you find your way back again. This GPS unit also features Save-to-Route, NorthFinder, Sun/Moon positions, and satellite status.