| GPS means Global Positioning System and is a | | | | back-lighting allowing you to read them at night |
| great navigational tool to make travel easier. If | | | | without a flashlight. Some also offer a tracking |
| you are traveling for the holidays, a GPS unit can | | | | system so you can go back and recall where you |
| help you get there the fastest and shortest way. | | | | have already been. |
| Or, if you are hiking for an outdoor holiday, a GPS | | | | Garmin is the leading manufacturer, but there are |
| unit is a great alternative to a map. | | | | many others where you will find options for |
| GPS devices have a lot of different components. | | | | weight, control placement and battery life. Some |
| The essential parts are the units people carry and | | | | GPS models are waterproof which is a great |
| the series of satellites, three of which are used to | | | | feature when crossing lakes if you out hiking, for |
| locate where you are while another is used | | | | instance, or if you are caught in the rain or a |
| alongside them in a process called triangulation to | | | | storm. |
| calculate your altitude. | | | | The eTrex is a popular GPS model from Garmin, |
| GPS devices come in a variety of prices. As | | | | displaying up to 500 waypoints and offering |
| would be expected, the more expensive models | | | | controls on the side to maximize the unit's display |
| offer more features than a basic unit. The very | | | | size. It is lightweight and waterproof. |
| basic GPS devices will usually have a display and | | | | For example, the Garmin eTrex Summit offers |
| controls so you can determine your latitude and | | | | some great features, such as the built-in compass |
| longitude. Some models offer a different number | | | | allowing you to stand in one place and still get a |
| of waypoints which is for terrestrial coordinates | | | | reading. This is handy since some GPS devices |
| such as longitude, latitude and altitude among | | | | require movement in order to get a reading. This |
| others. | | | | model has twelve channels like other GPS models, |
| The term waypoint is also used to describe the | | | | which gives you other options when nearby GPS |
| number of landmarks displayed on a GPS device. | | | | devices may give cause some interference to |
| This feature is found on different models, but not | | | | you unit. |
| all units. What is displayed will vary depending on | | | | Ultimately, you definitely get what you pay for. |
| the map loaded, but the more displayed is not | | | | Prices range from $100 to $300 and more. So, be |
| always "merrier" as sometimes the screen can | | | | sure to do some research, look at a wide variety |
| become too full and hard to read. | | | | of models and choose the GPS unit that has the |
| The higher priced GPS units will offer features | | | | features you will find most useful and beneficial |
| such as a digital compass, or the ability to | | | | during your travel and holiday trips. This is the |
| download area maps, zoom, relocate and even | | | | best way to find a model that meets your needs |
| change maps. Some models offer features like | | | | and is within your budget. |