GPS

What features do I need in a handheld GPS?

Waypoints, downloads, etc. I plan on doing some geocaching

Public Comments

1. You'll want a unit that can connect to your computer. This allows you to more easily have a lot of caches loaded in your GPS receiver. When you enter coordinates manually, it takes a bit of time and there is potential that you may have messed up one of the digits in the coordinates. The PC connection speeds things up and you are much less likely to put bad coordinates in your GPS receiver. The Garmin eTrex H is basic and low-cost, around $85. It connects to the PC via an optional serial cable. Your computer may or may not have a serial port, but you can work around that with a serial-to-USB adapter. The eTrex H cannot use maps. The Garmin eTrex Venture HC costs $115 and has a color screen, includes a USB cable, and has 24MB of memory for installing maps. The Venture HC can do turn-by-turn directions (it doesn't talk though, just beeps when approaching turns).