Best Handheld GPS Units

Handheld GPS units come in two types, mapping and non-mapping. Do you need a simple "non-mapping" GPS handheld unit just for finding your way back to the truck after a day of hiking? Or, do you need a "mapping" GPS you can use to map your trails, maybe plan your hiking paths days before your trip and download them from your PC to your GPS? A mapping GPS will have base maps, and allow loading additional maps into the unit. A non-mapping unit won't. Will you be using your handheld in the woods with a heavy canopy of leaves overhead? Some built-in antennas work better than others, but in deep cover, most will still have trouble seeing the satellites all the time. You might need a unit that can accept an external amplified antenna that can be attached to the top of your hat, or your backpack. Try it in the woods first and if you need one you can always add it later.
Just like the car GPS, always consider the amount of internal memory your handheld unit comes with, because it will be the limiting factor when it comes to downloading detailed maps. More memory means more maps. Less memory just means you can't load as large of an area into your GPS. A very popular outdoor activity that requires a handheld GPS unit is Geocaching. Geocaching involves finding hidden treasure "caches" by using coordinates and direction-finding techniques enhanced by your GPS. Typically a cache consists of a waterproof container hidden from normal view that contains items left by previous Geocachers who have already found the treasure. Plus there's a logbook for signing after successfully finding the cache. Geocaching is a great family activity or for the sole adventurer who gets a thrill out of the hunt for hidden treasures! There are so many choices when it comes to selecting a handheld unit I can only offer you some of my personal favorites. Just compare each units specifications to find one that will do what you want it to. And then, which unit looks good to you. Buy that one. Also, you might want to take a look at our Best GPS chart.
At the moment, my first choices would include the outstanding Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, Garmin 76CSx, Garmin Etrex Vista HCX, and Garmin Rino 530HCX. These units have about as many bells and whistles as anyone could hope for. Accurate and easy-to-read color screens, several modes and plenty of built-in memory, a basemap of the U.S., good battery life, waterproof, etc. (any Garmin handheld with an "X" on it's name means it will accept SD memory cards for unlimited expansion) and the Rino handhelds have a built-in two-way GMRS radio! If you want detailed road maps or topographic detail, you'll need to download it from optional software. For Garmin handhelds, the Mapsource Topo software (detailed ground elevations and topographic detail) or the Mapsource City Navigator software (detailed road maps). You may also want to consider adding GPS compatibilities to your laptop computer. You'll not only have a device that keeps you organized, but also keep you on track. Our selections include the top-of-the-line Garmin Mobile 10 and Garmin GPS-18. If you're a truck driver or drive an big RV, you would be really smart to look at the CoPilot GPS systems we're now offering. Specifically, the CoPilot Truck GPS and the CoPilot RV GPS.My next handheld GPS choices would include less expensive favorites (great for geocaching!) like the Garmin eTrex Legend and Garmin eTrex Vista. And there are certainly others that would do a fine job depending on what you want to use it for.

Garmin Magellan Maestro 3140 Text-to-Speech

Text-to-Speech - Maestro 3140 OnlyThe Maestro 3140 comes with a text-to-speech engine that reads street names off which can be helpful when navigating. This is a major feature that is distinctive versus the Maestro 3100, so you need to ask yourself if it’s worth the extra money to get this unit over the Maestro 3100.
More and more entry-level units are going text-to-speech, and I think that it’s a great trend. That’s a good thing in my mind, as I think that by having the street name read aloud, it makes things easier on you, the driver, when navigating in unfamiliar territory where streets come one after another.
The performance is the Text-to-speech engine in the Maestro is good, but has one flaw that makes it an aggravation; small and annoying, not un-functional. The good news is that the voice is clear and fairly accurate in reading a lot of road names. When announcing turns the unit uses the non-text-to-speech phrases then tacks on the street name at the end, in a different voice. So you get:Voice One: “Turn in 400 yards”Voice Two: “Spring Street”
Sometimes that phrasing is hardly separated and sometimes that phrasing is separated by enough of a pause to think that the GPS had to turn the page on an imaginary script to read the next word. Unfortunate mis-step here.