Global positioning devices are particularly used and loved by car owners who would like to maneuver safely through unfamiliar or busy cities. Although, if you trace the original purpose of global positioning devices, you will find out that GPS devices were heavily used by hikers and other people wandering the wild places who prefer to lower their chances of being off the trail and disoriented. As R&D teams began advancing the technology in the most recent GPS devices for car owners, the same technologies were put to use in the handheld GPS models also. These state of the art handheld GPS devices look very much like mobile phones because of their shape and display screen. Another great model to consider is TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Most of the GPS devices designed for autos could also be used by hikers if they are at ease with the interface. Most of the GPS devices manufactured by TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan are small enough to cradle in an adult’s hand or keep inside your pocket. Yet when it comes to using the device while walking or using only one hand, helper or two may be useful. Below you will find a few products to look for.

Magellan Triton Series

The Magellan Triton series is an interesting collection to look at because every one of the models from the Sunday driver to the arctic explorer package all are outwardly the same. The basic models use a very suitable 2.2” QVGA color screen while several of the higher end models have a slightly larger screen of 2.7”. Every one of the Magellan units benefit from a hardy construction and to be waterproof, therefore you can responsibly carry them with you when crossing rivers or during rainy seasons.

A few of the products have the AdventurePack label affixed to them which indicates that the devices include some particular software called the TOPO! Explorer. Serious explorers will want to definitely consider buying these packages. The advantage with this lineup is that you can find a Triton product that fits your budget with so many different models to select from. Another nice option to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.

Garmin Series

Garmin has a large collection of handheld products and each individual series accommodates various kinds of navigation. As an example, the GPSMAP 7X series models are all maritime-friendly and ideal for navigating the open ocean, but the GPSMAP 6X series models have a more resilient casing for heavy duty usage, yet are still relatively inexpensive and contain a comprehensive set of features such as microSD support and efficient navigation.

The eTrex series are handheld GPS devices you want to think about when finances is a primary issue. They are particularly portable with many of them offering a monitor wide enough to read with ease.

In case you are an accomplished traveler in the market for a device made to be particularly durable and equipped with advanced features, the Colorado or Oregon series might live up to your expectations. Both series have a multifunctional touch-screen display, a feature not offered in other Garmin series, and they even display different maps specific to the precise model you get.

Be aware that the aforementioned handheld GPS devices shouldn’t be used while driving unless a non-driving navigator is using it. If you don’t need all of the advanced features and want a more versatile device that can work on the city street as well as the trail, it will likely be better to purchase an all-in-one device that you can tote in a car or in your pocket. Another good item to consider is the TomTom GO 740 Live GPS Navigator.