Global Positioning Systems are a very technical product.

• The part you buy, called the receiver, communicates with a network of orbiting satellites

• Using atomic clocks, these satellites broadcast signals that your receiver uses to triangulate your position to within roughly 100 feet
• The coverage is worldwide

Types Of Receivers
Before you decide to buy a unit, consider what you want to do with it

• A small, simple unit might work well in the backcountry, which most of us will use for hunting, fishing & backpacking expeditions, but may not have enough features to navigate through a major city (who wants to be in the city anyway) lets get outdoors!
• A high-end receiver may feature built-in maps, a full-color screen, and long battery life, yet be too unwieldy to bring into the woods
• Functions And Features
  Think carefully about the number of features and functions you need and would actually take the time to learn - more isn't necessarily better if you're tired and lost. Use the KISS method (Keep It Simple Stupid) and you'll be better off. When you go to your electronics store, they will want to sell you all the bells and whistles. Watch out! E-mail AZOD and we will point you in the right direction for the best GPS and the best price.

Determining The Features You Need

• Waypoints

• Comprised of the eastern and northern coordinates that define a particular position on the globe
• In the outdoors, a waypoint can be a trailhead, campsite, rock formation, or a series of points on a featureless landscape

• Route mapping

• Computer mapping programs create a set of waypoints for an area you plan to visit, like that cove you caught all those striped bass at Lake Powell
• Computer mapping is an especially useful feature for planning trips to unfamiliar places

• Routes

• Ordered series of waypoints. When following a route, the GPS selects each waypoint
• Some units can generate waypoints and automatically create a route as you travel, a handy feature if you end up having to backtrack in bad weather or darkness

• Altimeters

• Indicate altitude, or feet above sea level
• Very handy when hiking through mountainous terrain or when referring to a topological map

• Antennae configuration/number of satellites

• Older units may only pick up three to eight satellites, but most current models will pick up to 12
• More satellites translate to more accurate positioning, faster updates and better reception, compared to external antennas
• Built-in antennas are unlikely to break during normal use since there are no exposed parts
• External antennas are less protected, but can sometimes be manipulated to improve a receiver's pick-up
• Optional plug-in antennas are handy for use in cars or boats, since they allow the unit to pick up signals in places (such as under a metal car roof) that satellite signals usually can't penetrate

• Connectivity

• A GPS unit can be made more useful via connections to a computer or another GPS unit. Although most receivers have these capabilities, you will need an accessory cable and computer software to take advantage of them
• Connecting GPS units to one another enables you to transmit exact information on where you've been to someone else
• Downloading GPS data to a computer allows for easy back-up, sorting, and use of computer mapping software

• Size

• The lighter and smaller a GPS receiver is, the easier it will be to work with. However, weight and space savings may mean fewer features or a higher price tag.
• When in the backcountry or when carrying extra weight is a concern, smaller is usually better
• If you will be using the unit in a variety of outdoor and urban locales, a larger unit with a bigger screen may be preferable
• Ideally, the unit should fit in a jacket pocket or be easily accessible in an outer pack pocket
• Battery life and extra weight are related. The more batteries a unit carries, the longer its life -- and the heavier it is. For long trips, the extra weight may be worth extended battery life
• Most GPS units have a lithium battery backup memory function so information won't be lost when batteries die

• Weatherproofness

• While most receivers are built to withstand some exposure to rain and snow, they probably won't fare well if submerged in a lake or river
• A beefier, and consequently heavier, housing means better weatherproofing
• A carrying case is a useful accessory, and can extend your unit's life span

• Screen Size

• The display screen should be easy to see and read in a variety of light conditions
• A screen that lights up for nighttime and low-light situations can be especially handy
• Be sure the screen is not so cluttered with information that you have a problem reading it

• Color vs. black & white

• Largely a matter of budget and personal preference
• Color screens are usually easier to read in nighttime and low-light conditions

• Memory

• In general, the more storage space - the larger the memory - the more room a unit has for waypoints and route information
• Some units come with software that lets you store waypoint information in your home computer, which allows you to collect more information than the unit can hold on its own

• Last but not least

• Use the darn thing before you go out into the backcountry
• Go out and try different scenarios
• Be familiar and comfortable with your GPS unit

See the great GPS Unit available through AZOD here