6 Hardcore GPS Units That Can Take a Beating, No Matter the Weather
Garmin, llbean.com / Carl Pettit / Bushnell, Amazon.com
If you’re trekking out into the woods or the mountains this winter season, a durable and reliable GPS unit is just the thing to ensure you find your way home. We're not talking about the ones that black out if dropped in a puddle, either. No one wants to have to put their boyscout skills to use, and these extreme-weather gadgets will make sure you don't have to.
Bushnell, Amazon.com
Bushnell Onix 400 Weather Tracker GPS
This waterproof GPS unit is great for hiking in the rain, or in a heavy snowstorm. The Weather Tracker GPS includes XM weather and data information (via download), which layers over Geo-referenced satellite photos and maps. There’s also a battery conservation mode, to make sure you have plenty of juice when you’re out in the wild.
Garmin, Amazon.com
Garmin eTrex Venture – Hiking GPS receiver
This little unit is good for those of you who are planning for severe weather conditions, but don’t want to carry around a large GPS device. You can download specific maps and points of interest, depending on your destination, from optional CDs. The Garmin eTrex Venture is simple to use, easy to read at night thanks to a solid backlight, and great for day hikes or travel to regions you’re not very familiar with.
Magellan, Magellangps.com
Magellan eXplorist 310 GPS
This Magellan GPS comes preloaded with topographical maps and road maps of Australia, Canada, Western Europe and the United States. Intrepid travelers can always download additional maps for specific global locations. The Satellite Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) will provide you with a strong GPS signal no matter how far off the beaten path you wander.
Garmin, Buy.garmin.com
Garmin RINO 120 GPS
The waterproof and extremely rugged Garmin RINO 120 is more than just a simple GPS unit. It’s also a two-way radio with 22 channels for communication, and has a five-mile talk range. This little electronic warrior includes eight MB of memory, in case you need to upload some additional maps before you head out on your expeditions.
Garmin, llbean.com
Garmin Oregon 450 850MB Waterproof GPS
This brawny, yet very high-tech device will do everything for you on the trail except pack your bags. It’s not the cheapest GPS unit out there, but it comes with some pretty awesome features, including a large touch screen, 850 MB memory capacity, a 3-D map viewer, an electronic compass and barometric altimeter, plus a high-sensitivity receiver, outdoor GPS games and tide tables — just to name a few. On top of all that, this unit is built to last, and is able to withstand some very serious weather conditions.
DeLorme, Amazon.com
DeLorme Earthmate PN-60W Portable GPS Navigator with SPOT Satellite Communicator
These two devises provide solid GPS capabilities, and with the SPOT Satellite Communicator, the ability to correspond with people via text messages, deliverable by orbiting satellites. When you’re out in the elements, and you feel the need to check back in with civilization, or are in a dire emergency, the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60W Portable GPS Navigator and the SPOT Satellite Communicator will allow you to do just that, no matter where you happen to be on the planet.
Leave a Comment