Handheld GPS

Handheld GPS

If you are going abroad, a handheld GPS can be a great alternative to paying for mobile service. When visiting a specific country, it can give you preloaded maps for that region. I thought it would be wise to investigate this before my next trip. I have always been curious about these devices. Although, losing your way navigating through the canals of Amsterdam will do that to you. The results below show at least one very good option from two different companies. As usual, each option has its own positives and negatives. I’m basing my choices off of price, quality, portability and ease of use. Either way you see it, they all do the same thing. The GPS devices prevent you from becoming lost in an unfamiliar place. Needless to say, it will still be up to you whether you buy one.

Garmin ($$$)

You can never go wrong with Garmin anything. They make dependable products, and their handheld GPS are no exception. Through my research, I’ve found the GPSMAP 64s to be the best one. The physical attributes include the device being compact, waterproof, color display, 2.6-inch screen and a 16-hour battery life. That seems to be somewhat standard. By far, the best feature Garmin offers is its maps. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can buy one at a time or pay for a subscription. It mainly depends on how active you are in your travels. The device can save up to 200 routes and 5,000 locations. Storage is not a problem as you can buy microSD cards to hold and save all of your maps. The GPS’s main negative is it’s more for outdoor activities. Therefore, city slickers may be put off from purchasing this model.

Magellan ($$$)

Are you gel’n like Magellan? Well, you can be with their handheld GPS, the eXplorist. It is a little cheaper than a Garmin. I’m only talking about $20. That’s like one drink at Starbucks. In order to get the maps of the European cities, you will have to buy the 510 model or higher. The cheaper models in the series are only for North America. This GPS includes a camera and a microphone. They help to great locations and routes in the device. The map package of European cities is a steal of a deal. It includes over 40 different countries for the price of $99.99. However, it looks like the company only has maps for North America and Europe. The only other drawback compared to a Garmin is the memory. The Magellan has half as much. This means you will be buying more SD cards.

Conclusion

Either way you look at it, I think you will be in good hands from either of these companies. However, Garmin is the clear winner in the map game. Also, the company has a much wider selection of handheld GPSs. This is great news for the more money conscience consumers. Depending on the person, $300 can be a very steep price. You can easily get away with spending only about $100 to $150 for your GPS. Before I forget to mention, I would definitely check out the eTrek Series from Garmin. With Magellan, it almost forces you to pay top dollar because of its limitations. When it comes time for you to purchase a GPS, you need to consider a few things. You need to consider your budget, your destination and the frequency of your travels. Whatever you may decide, I know you will make the right choice!

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