Garmin GPS

Garmin GPS
While no navigational aid tops a good wilderness navigation course with compasses and topographical maps, Garmin's extensive selection of GPS systems and accessories offer the ultimate technological cheat sheet for hikers, climbers, boaters, travelers and businesspeople.

Trail
Garmin's Trail GPS products fall into three categories: basic, mapping and two-way radio. There are also dog tracking models for hunting, although inventive users have found that the lightweight wireless dog transmitters also do double-duty for locating stray RC planes and gliders. Basic Garmin GPS models include the popular and attractively priced eTrex and Geko series products. Mapping handhelds offer more menu options for tracking and color displays. Two-way radio GPS models like the popular Rino 110 and 120 allow you to track the locations of other Rino users in your party. Garmin's high-end trail GPS units feature expandable memory and color display with a computer interface for customization.

Street and Travel
While hikers and backpackers sometimes use trail GPS units for street navigation, the ergonomic and intuitive features on Garmin's Nuvi and StreetPilot products minimize the risks of unnecessary distractions on the road. These systems feature expanded color monitor displays and mounting hardware for dashboards and windshields, so you can see where you're going without losing sight of the road ahead.

Marine
While older GPS units used to be associated with big powerboats and fishing vessels, Garmin offers a compact selection of portable marine units that are ideal for small craft enthusiasts, including paddlers and kayakers. Garmin's GPSMap series offers rechargeable battery backup and some are compatible with Garmin's sonar and radar options.

Fitness
As electronic chips and components continue to shrink, GPS units are now the ultimate performance measuring devices for running and cycling. Garmin's Forerunner and Edge products are ideal for serious runners and cyclists who need to evaluate all aspects of their personal training and racing potential. Garmin currently offers five Forerunner GPS training computers, but many distance runners opt for the heart rate monitor features in the Forerunner 301 and Forerunner 305 models. The cycling-oriented Edge 305 also features a heart rate monitor and remains the only Garmin fitness model with a barometric altimeter.