60CSx
Garmin 60CSx is versatile and waterproof.
This is a terrific medium-priced handheld unit. It is compact, has a bright color screen and a barometric altimeter and operates up to 18 hours on two AA batteries. It comes with a base map and can add a wide variety of other maps and charts via 64 MB microSD cards. It can stores up to 1,000 waypoints and 50 routes. Its rugged waterproof construction makes it equally useful on the trail or as a backup navigational unit when boating. Suggested retail price is $400 as of 2009.
Colorado 400 series
This high-end set of handhelds provides an impressive set of features, including ultra-accurate positioning through the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS); a larger 240-by-400 pixel color screen; wireless data sharing; ability to accept additional maps through SD cards; built-in barometric altimeter. All 400 models come with preloaded world base maps. The 400c comes with BlueChart g2 coastal charts, the 400i with U.S. inland lakes, the 400t with U.S. topographic maps. Suggested retail price is $600 as of 2009.
eTrex Venture HC
Ideal for the explorers on a budget, this unit is effective for basic excursions. Features include a 176-by-220 pixel color screen; 24 megabytes of internal memory for adding maps in addition to a preloaded base map; accepts 500 waypoints and 50 routes. Suggested retail price is $170 as of 2009.
Article Written By Gary Olson
Gary Olson is a freelance writer, editor, photographer and designer with 34 years of experience. His work has appeared in such publications as Sailing, Northwest Living, 5280, The Arizona Republic, The Denver Post and many other newspapers and magazines. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
