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Garmin 72H Waterproof Handheld High Sensitivity

We're going to take a look at the best merchandising handheld GPS systems, starting with the Garmin GPS 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator. The navigator is an older model, but a screaming deal at around $275 retail. Weighing in at a compact seven and a half ounces doesn't stop it from delivering highly exact tracking. It likewise features 64 megs of memory, a waterproof case, and a built in compass and altimeter. Another nice feature is the automatic track log, which may store up to 20 tracks with 500 point each. You get odometer, stopped time, moving average, total time and max speed out of the box from the trip computer. USB and serial port interfaces make it quick and easy to upload or download data. For geocaching fans, there's built in aid for treasure hunting as well!

Next up is the Garmin eTrex Vista HCx Color High-Sensitivity Mapping Handheld GPS. At an even more bargain price of around $200, the Hcx is sure to deliver bang for your buck. It comes with a WAAS-enabled receiver, so you're not sacrificing high-sensitivity for the price point. Like the 60SCx, there is a built in compass and altimeter. Unique among handheld GPS schemes is the Vista HCx's button layout. There are five buttons on each side of the unit, which frees up the priceless frontal real-estate for the display, making it very easy to view your maps at all times. You likewise get a waterproof housing, and geocaching mode. The HCx may go for up to 25 hours on a couple of AA batteries.

Make a splash with the GPS 72H, a lightweight, waterproof handheld that floats. Simple yet robust, the GPS 72H features high-sensitivity GPS and a USB connection along with it is huge screen, simple operation and rock-solid performance.

A lightweight, waterproof GPS handheld that floats.

Quickly tracks your emplacement in challenging conditions.

4 level gray LCD.

Acquire Satellites Quickly
Find your way without apparent effort with the GPS 72H's high-sensitivity GPS receiver. GPS 72H acquires satellite signals speedily and tracks your emplacement in challenging conditions, such as heavy tree cover or deep canyons.

Use on Land or Water
Don't worry when it comes to losing this GPS device in the drink. The GPS 72H floats in water, and it's IPX7 waterproof to withstand the accidental dunk or splash in the lake.

Whether on water or land, the GPS 72H may save up to 500 of your bestloved places in memory and point you to your destination (no street or terrain maps).

Store Important Data
The GPS 72H is NMEA 0183 compatible. To transfer data to or from your device, GPS 72H effortlessly connects to your computer thru USB. If you're into boating, hunting or fishing, you may use the 72H's built-in celestial data, which includes tide information, sunrise/sunset times and a hunting and fishing calendar.

What's in the Box
GPS 72H Unit, Wrist strap, Owner's manual on disk, Quick commence manual

Garmin GPS 72H
Garmin's 72H is an adequate, low cost, navigational tool. I use it exclusively for Marine navigation when I am in areas I have not visited before. As an "old salt" I use paper charts and guide books for planning and prime navigation - but the GPS puts me right on the bouy marker I'm heading for. Time, speed, and other features are helpful but not critical for me. It is easy to use once you figure out the data input process. The manual could have been written much more without doubt or question and thoroughly. It is the weakest part of the deal.

could have been made smaller
I was looking for a unit that would only show coordinates in a format of my choice and in a chosen datum and it seems that the 72H is the nearest to what I had in mind, but it does a lot of other things that I don't actually want and it is much larger than I wanted. Nevertheless, satellite lock time is magnificent (unless the WAAS is enabled which gives a little better precision at the expense of more outstanding power drain and much more outstanding satellite lock time), position lock is precise, battery life is outstanding and the unit will stand up to a heap of abuse. I have without intention sprayed the GPS with DEET-based insect repellent and it didn't hurt the plastic. I'm not going to do it again, but I have a 2-way radio that'd got a bunch of freckles after a similar accident.
It is crucial to grasp that the 72H is not a mapping GPS. It has a "map" screen, but the screen shows only waypoints and the coordinate grid (in degrees/minutes based on WGS84, even if UTM coordinates are set to be shown). Get a printed map if you want to use the unit for navigation. Finding USGS benchmarks or geocaches may be done without a map but you will have to get started in somewhat close to whatsoever you want to find; then, the unit will draw an arrow pointing at the chosen waypoint.

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