At this time the geocaching GPS brands most in-demand among geocachers are Garmin, Delorme, Magellan and Lowrance. For anybody who is contemplating a hassle-free no frills geocaching GPS it is best to check out the Geomate Jr. Geomate is a pretty cheap GPS that comes pre-loaded with 250,000 geocache coordinates, but does not have the features of other units. It is a fantastic unit for kids who want a GPS of their own. Every one of today’s geocaching GPS manufactures make high-quality reputable units, the challenge is selecting which options do you really need and which are nice options. With GPS prices ranging from roughly $50 for a very simple model, to upwards of $500 or more, getting your first GPS for geocaching is without question a major consideration. A little bit of basic research now can help you save serious money (and frustration) afterward.
What follows is a selection of what are looked upon as the minimum features for the best GPS for geocaching.
Accuracy: Accuracy isn’t commonly considered to be a major point of difference between many GPS receivers mainly because they all obtain their readings through the same group of satellites. But WAAS enabled gps brands will be the most reliable. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) was created by the Federal Aviation Administration as an air navigation aid developed to augment the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the purpose of maximizing its accuracy, integrity, and availability.
Durability: Sooner or later, you will definitely drop your geocaching GPS and, ultimately, it will get wet! That being said make it a point to start looking for a GPS that’s rugged and waterproof (or at least water resistant)
Good Battery Life: The way to spoil a day of geocaching is to have to give up your pursuit due to the fact you ran out of battery power. Decent battery life is likewise a significant safety factor. Following a day of geocaching particularly in difficult terrain, you will need your GPS to help you get back to safety. Consider a GPS that utilizes replaceable AA or AAA batteries, and always have a spare set on hand. Rechargeable lithium batteries certainly are a good choice as they last for much longer than regular alkaline batteries.
Backlit Display: While readily readable in full sun if you happen to be in an area with heavy tree cover, most notably on a cloudy day you need to have a backlit display. This is certainly essential if you eventually get caught outdoors at night.
Base map: A base map is essentially a map which is permanently kept in the GPS’s memory. This is generally not a high-definition or highly detailed map, however it does exhibit key highways and terrain features like rivers and lakes. This will make the task of finding a specific location faster and easier and can help you avoid major barriers. Basic GPS units without base maps simply display Speed, Bearing (Direction of travel), Distance traveled, and Distance to your desired destination.
Topo (topographical) Map: A vital thing to remember when geocaching would be that your GPS points the direction to your objective in a straight line, or as “the crow flies”. It’s not like a car GPS that takes into account the roads that you are traveling on and displays exactly how much further you must go. In the event you have to climb any hills or detour around a pond or lake the actual distance you need to walk could very well be considerably more than what your GPS is showing. A topo map will allow you to see these obstacles in advance and help you save a great deal of time and energy.
Computer Interface: Nearly all new gps for geocaching can be connected to a home pc through a USB cable. The more expensive models can likewise link up through a wireless network or a Bluetooth connection. Being able to connect to your computer allows you to download cache coordinates and other information straight onto your GPS at the click of a button. It is often quite time-consuming to enter all those coordinates on your GPS manually and if you happen to make a error you’ll never locate the cache.
Waypoint Saving: This function enables you to store a designated location (waypoint) within your GPS unit’s memory. Repeated storage of waypoints can enhance your safety in very difficult terrain as it will make it possible for you to retrace your steps back to your former location. A number of geocaching GPS units include a “Track Log” feature that makes it easy to use previous waypoints as “breadcrumbs” to find your way back to where you started off. The best gps for geocaching will have an “Auto Tracking” function designed to effortlessly store waypoints.
Memory: The best geocaching GPS devices take advantage of microSD cards for keeping maps and geocache locations. The microSD cards are also beneficial if you decide you want to go geocaching in some other part of the country, (or the world) it is possible to store all of your new maps and geocache coordinates on a spare card and quite simply substitute it for the card you regularly use.
When contemplating the best GPS for geocaching, make sure that you give consideration to all of the available features. Even though a fundamental geocaching GPS is certainly cheaper, it could be in your greatest interest to buy a higher end unit that’s got all the features you want, as opposed to compromising for a cheap model which might give you disatisfactory results and mandate upgrading in the future.
