How To Pick The Best GPS Receiver For Your Hiking Trip

Posted by Camp Trainer on Jan 16, 2009 in Tips and Strategies • No comments • 141 views

During one of my first few hiking trips led by a professional instructor - we were asked to navigate using nothing more than a compass and a map (safely enclosed in a waterproof map case). However due to safety requirements imposed by the hiking association, our instructor brought along a GPS system in the event of an emergency that may require rescue by a helicopter. This will ensure that our exact position can be exactly pinpointed and immediate rescue can be carried out. Thankfully, the GPS system was never brought out and we easily achieved our objectives safely and with not much problems.

With GPS systems getting more cheaper and commonplace, it is now considered a useful investment that can pay off. With a GPS unit, one can easily determine an accurate position anywhere on Earth in a matter of minutes.

Also by entering a set coordinates of a place you want to go, the GPS receiver will provide a compass bearing and distance that will be updated by satellite information as you progress. Press a button and you get a speed readout and estimated time of arrival.

If you are without a map, GPS can be used to track your location. Enter your starting position into the unit and save it as a waypoint. Establish other waypoints as you proceed, then like Hansel and Gretel, follow your electronic breadcrumbs home. GPS accuracy is 3 metres or less!

The most useful GPS feature is its ability to verify your location on a map - which is possible only if your map has a reference system to which your GPS unit can relate to. However not all maps have appropriate reference lines.Usually those that do include are topographic maps with degrees of latitude and longtitude. Some maps also include decimal-based Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, which are much easier to use than longtitude and latitude.

Any GPS receiver can be set to read lat/lon or UTM coordinates whichever you prefer.

The essential requirement is this: your map must have integral GPS coordinates or you won’t be able to plot the fix your GPS unit calculates. Topographic maps are usually hard to find in most towns, but you can order them from government sources listed here.

Things to consider when choosing a GPS unit:

Learn how to use GPS system! The best plan is to buy a unit that will mount in your car. Get a dashboard mount and a cigarette-lighter plug-in so you can practise setting waypoints, save track data, and master other operations without running down batteries. You won’t become proficient if you use a GPS receiver just a few times a year. Practice makes perfect.
Large GPS units are generally more user-friendly than small ones. Minature GPS receivers often have awkwardly placed controls, and their tiny antennas dont access satellites as fast or reliably as bigger antennas.
Not all “waterproof” GPS units have waterproof battery compartments.
Every GPS should have a simulator mode so you can learn the intricacies of operation more quickly.

Things You Don’t Need In A GPS Unit:

Electronic compass: An electronic compass is no more accurate than a good needle compass. Unlike a needle compass, an electronic compass must be recalibrated every time you change batteries or move very far from it’s previously recalibrated location. To recalibrate, you rotate the instrument (usually twice) 360 degrees - full circle. The compass must be held dead level during rotation. Sounds bizarre? It is! If you go out of recalibration range and forget to recalibrate, you’re lost. Running by e-compass all consumes battery power.

Barometer: A barometer must be frequently recalibrated to provide accurate air pressure readings. Yes, you will get a relative readout without calibration, which is useful to determine weather trends. But you can probably get a watch with this feature for less money than what it will cost you in a GPS unit.

Thermometer: Electonic thermometers are slow to register readings. They’re just one more thing to drain battery power.

Color Display: Color is nice, but it consumes battery power and it doesn’t add accuracy or utility.

Here are a 2 recommendations for useful GPS receivers for outdoor use.

Bushnell GPS BackTrack Personal Locator: This is one of the simplest no-fuss GPS receiver to use. Available in camo color. Highly recommended.

Garmin Etrex Legend GPS Receiver: Slightly higher investment. But rugged and comfortable design makes it easy to use. The tiny joystick adds simplicity in navigating up to 500 saved waypoints.