Hit the trails, find the fish, and more...

Our recommended handheld gps units:

Budget

Garmin Etrex Legend

The Garmin Etrex Legend contains the essentials with a few thrills:

• Mapping GPS
• Built in basemaps with highway, lakes, Navaids
• Waterproof

The Garmin Etrex Legend has all of the basics for a very low price. If you are just starting out, the Legend is the entry level GPS for you.
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See more information on the Garmin Etrex Legend

Middle of the road

Magellan Explorist 600

The Magellan Explorist 600 is feature packed with a great price tag:

• Color display
• Compass, Barometer, Thermometer, and Altimeter
• Mapping GPS
• Built in basemap with highways and trails
• Waterproof
• Long lasting Li-ion battery

The Magellan Explorist 600 delivers a solid, versatile platform that will meet even the most demanding outdoor enthusiast.
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The Best

Garmin Quest

The Garmin 60CSx does it all:

• Color display
• Compass, Barometer, Thermometer, and Altimeter
• Mapping GPS
• Built in basemap with highways and trails
• Turn by turn directions
• Waterproof

The Garmin 60CSx is the top of the line for driving, hiking, biking, or whatever you can think of. The Garmin 60CSX is in a class all its own.
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Finding the right Handheld GPS

• Mapping vs. non-Mapping
  A non-mapping handheld gps unit does not overlay your position on top of maps. It will only show you where you are and where positions that you input, or waypoints. Mapping units have a variety of possibilities including being able to download topographic maps, city/highway maps, charts for boating, and much more.
• Compass and altimeter
  Some units contain a built-in compass that tells you which way you are headed, regardless of movement or not. Most of those that have the built-in compass also have an altimeter that will tell you your altitude with respect to sea level.
• Color screen
  The pricier GPS units come equipped with a color screen instead of a monotone screen which makes viewing easier.
• Radio
  GPS systems like the Garmin Rino have two-way radios built in so that you can keep in touch with someone who may be out with you.
• Versatility
  Some of the units are great to be used on a boat, car, hiking, and running and biking. Others are only good for hiking. There is a GPS unit for every need, but the more functions that are added on, the higher the price gets.