Re: [Paddlewise] GPS options (again)

    --Been using one for a while;  the Garmin 38, now an obsolete model.
Based on that, and trying out some others:
    Select one that  has 12 parallel receivers.  That's as many satellites
as can be seen at any one time.  You need to acquire at least 4 satellites
to be able to plot a point on a spherical surface.  Some GPS receivers can
handle fewer than that at a time, so getting a good position can be very
time consuming.
    Pay attention to sensitivity.  In earlier ones, a helical antenna was
far preferable to a patch antenna.   With a patch, you often could not
receive well enough to get a good fix in leafy woods.  Nowadays receivers
are more sensitive, but it's still an important consideration.
    Look for power consumption.  Some GPS receivers, especially those with
bells and whistles, can drain batteries in a very short time.  The Garmin 12
is supposed to be pretty good in this regard, with well over 12 hours of
battery life.
    I've also run across a curious difficulty here...  Many brands of AA
batteries now come with the builtin battery tester.  Turns out these are too
thick to be put into my GPS without getting stuck.  So I have to search for
alkaline cells without that feature or else rip the wrapping off the
batteries.
JP
-----Original Message-----
From: Bhansen97_at_aol.com <Bhansen97_at_aol.com>
Now I've decided that I
>really should get a handheld GPS, and I'm asking for help. I'll need to
limit
>initial cost somewhat, hoping to keep it under $200.
>
>Both Garmin and Magellan make units which, by their descriptions, should be
>sufficient. Anything to choose between the two brands? Things to avoid like
>the plague? Specific features or models in that price range which are
>especially helpful?


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