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GPS Handhelds
GPS handhelds, as we've already said, resemble that
other gadgets we love so much, the PDA. Using those
satellites we've mentioned, GPS handhelds help you find
your position in relation to the other satellites. They
use something called Waypoints to help you do this.
Waypoints can be thought of as a trail of breadcrumbs,
helping you find your way back. They are perfect for
camping, hiking, business travel and road trips.
Here are some things you should look for in a GPS unit.
WAAS
This stands for Wide Area Augmentation System. This
is a system of satellites and ground stations that provide
GPS signal corrections. With this system, your GPS receiver
can accurately pinpoint your position to within metres.
The receivers you'll find on the market that are WAAS
supported are accurate to within three metres.
Waypoints
Waypoints are the latitude and longitude of a specific
location. Avid map users refer to this point as the
Coordinate Lines. As we've said, these Waypoints act
as a trail of breadcrumbs, enabling you to find your
way back to where you started. The more Waypoints your
receiver has, the more accurate your positioning. Many
of today's units have the capacity to store up to 500
Waypoints.
Dimensions and Display Type
As with all forms of electronics, the GPS receivers
that you'll see on today's market are much smaller than
their ancestors.
Size and Weight
These units are also very light. On a camping or hiking
trip you don't want to be lugging around something heavy
and awkward. Usually their weight is around 6 oz., which
makes them light enough for you to bring around, whether
on road trips or excursions through the woods.
Display Type
Your GPS receiver comes with a set of graphic navigation
displays. Some come with seven screens, some with nine,
and so on. These screens display information like maps,
compasses, and speedometers. The larger the screen,
the easier it is to read when you are on your adventures.
Some receivers come with colour screens. You want to
make sure that your receiver has a high-contrast screen
with a backlight. This is especially important if you
plan to use your receiver for outdoor excursions because
you will need to view your coordinates in a variety
of conditions. Like your other electronic devices, the
GPS receiver has a screen resolution. This lets you
know how clear and sharp you can expect your screen's
images to be. Look for a resolution of around 160x104
or so. It's no fun squinting to see your screen when
you're out in the wilderness
Next: Memory
GPS -->
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