Best Handheld GPS

Best handheld GPS receivers: Garmin leads

Garmin's flagship handheld receiver, the Garmin Oregon 400t (*Est. $450), is a "dream come true" in a handheld GPS receiver, according to the many reviewers we found. Scott Martin, a hiker, geocacher and cyclist who publishes the blog GPSLodge.com, calls the Oregon 400t "the best designed, easiest to use Garmin handheld yet." GPSTracklog.com's Rich Owings names the Oregon 400t one of two picks recommended as a high-end GPS device. PCMag.com makes it an Editors' Choice, giving it four stars out of five, while Fred Zahradnik of About.com gives it a perfect score, the highest of any handheld GPS he has reviewed.

The Oregon 400t comes loaded with features, making it easy to see why reviewers love this handheld GPS so much. It has a big color screen; 3-D map viewing; built-in topographic maps; wireless sharing with other wireless-equipped Garmin Oregon and Colorado GPS receivers; paperless geocaching ability; a barometric altimeter; and an electronic compass. The Oregon 400t also provides user profiles, so you can switch from one group of settings to another at the touch of the screen. For example, if you prefer the 3-D view of a topographic map while hiking, you can set up a profile with those settings.

Perhaps the most impressive feature is its iPhone-like touch screen, which makes the Garmin Oregon 400t GPS extremely intuitive and easy to use, even for beginners. For example, a single tap of your fingers will add a waypoint, and tapping and dragging allows for panning and zooming. Reviewers say that this kind of functionality makes the Oregon 400t welcoming and simple,

The Oregon 400t is part of a series of Oregon GPS receivers that come with preloaded maps in addition to their standard world base map. The Oregon 400t has U.S. topographic maps (for hikers and geocachers); the Oregon 400c (*Est. $460) has U.S. Bluechart maps (for saltwater fishing), the Oregon 400i (*Est. $480) has U.S. inland lakes maps (for freshwater fishing), and the Oregon 300 (*Est. $390) comes with no maps other than a world base map, suitable for those who already have a separate subscription. In addition, Garmin sells the Oregon 200 (*Est. $320), which is the same as the Oregon 300 but drops the barometric altimeter, electronic compass and wireless connectivity. All Oregon models are powered by two AA batteries (rated for 16 hours), measure 2.3 inches by 4.5 inches by 1.4 inches, have a 3-inch screen, and are waterproof to IPX-7 standards.

Despite the universally glowing praise, the Oregon line does have some limitations. It turns out that the Oregon GPS unit's greatest strength, its screen, is also its primary weakness. Almost every reviewer complains about the Garmin Oregon 400t's dim display, which is hard to see in direct sunlight. GPSTracklog.com notes that this issue might not be so bad for hikers or bikers who usually pause when viewing their device, as they can manually tilt it for best visibility. However, for bikers who want to be able to see the screen on their GPS receiver while riding, things are a little more problematic.

Another issue is the GPS signal processor used. Many experts say that the SiRFstar III processor is the gold standard in terms of accuracy. However, Garmin has chosen to use another, non-disclosed chip set in the Oregon series of handheld GPS, as well as in some others. In testing, reviewers have found some accuracy issues compared with SiRFstar III-equipped GPS receivers, such as the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, but add that variations are relatively minor. GPSReview.net also notes that the maps on the 400 series are not transferable to a computer, so you cannot set up routes on your PC before using them on your GPS device.

The Garmin Oregon 400t is the successor to the still-available Garmin Colorado 400t (*Est. $380). The big difference is the user interface; Garmin's Colorado GPS receivers lack a touch screen and use a click wheel for control. Initially, reviews were very favorable for the Colorado GPS receivers, and some still give this handheld GPS receiver a thumbs-up. However, reports about so-so accuracy and track stability have tempered some of the enthusiasm; reports say both shortfalls are less of an issue with Garmin Oregon GPS receivers. Dim screens are a complaint that both series share.

The DeLorme PN-40 (*Est. $340) is the most compelling alternative to the Oregon 400t, experts say. GPSTracklog.com actually places it on par with the Oregon 400t as the best high-end handheld GPS device. GPSReview.net goes into considerable depth discussing the PN-40 GPS, arguing that it will satisfy almost anyone, and saying, "Nobody in the market today comes close to the availability of rich map options in a rock solid handheld GPS." At first glance, About.com's rating of 3.5 stars is unimpressive, but site guide Fred Zahradnick calls it a "confidence-inspiring receiver I would trust in the most challenging situations." (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

Power users should appreciate the same features that impress reviewers. The DeLorme PN-40's biggest advantage is that it can display aerial photography, U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps, DeLorme topographic maps, satellite imagery and a host of other detailed maps unavailable to Garmin users, though that service comes at a cost (*Est. $30 per year). In addition, reviewers praise the PN-40's screen, saying it is viewable in a variety of lighting, giving this handheld GPS unit an advantage over the Oregon 400t. The accuracy of the PN-40 is also on par with the excellent Garmin GPSMAP series. About.com's Zahradnick also tests the PN-40 in various wet conditions and confirms that the GPS receiver is completely waterproof.

GPSReview.net called the DeLorme PN-20, the PN-40's predecessor, a Google Earth-type product in a handheld form and subsequently has reviewed the PN-40, concluding that it is a considerable upgrade. Improvements include an additional processor that gives the PN-40 GPS blinding speed, a better chipset for improved accuracy, a barometric altimeter, and an electronic compass.

However, the DeLorme PN-40 handheld GPS receiver also has some drawbacks. Reviewers commonly point out that the advantage of the most sophisticated maps comes at the cost of simplicity and do not recommend the PN-40 for anyone who wants a device that has no learning curve. In addition, at 2.3 inches (diagonal), the screen on this handheld GPS is relatively small compared to the Oregon 400. GPSReview.net complains that you have to clean the USB connectors to maintain consistent connections with your computer, but admits this is a minor quibble. Costing 25 percent less than the Oregon 400t and boasting features that compensate for its shortcomings, the DeLorme PN-40 should be a serious consideration for anyone looking for a high-end handheld GPS device.

For some activities, reviewers recommend other GPS models. Golfers may want to look into the Garmin Approach G5 (*Est. $460), a touch screen-based GPS receiver similar to the Oregon 400t that can download and analyze golf course maps; though not widely reviewed, it receives an admirable four stars out of five from About.com's Fred Zahradnik. The eTrex-based Garmin GolfLogix GPS-8 (*Est. $250) is a more affordable golf-oriented GPS receiver. It gets a positive review from GPSTracklog.com's Rich Owings.

For road cyclists, GPSTracklog.com recommends Garmin's Edge line, led by the Edge 705 (*Est. $425), because it adds fitness features like a heart rate monitor and optional cadence sensor to GPS navigation capabilities. GPSMagazine.com makes the Garmin Edge 705 its top pick for cyclists, saying it's "like having a personal trainer on your handlebar." Other models in the line cost less but come with fewer features.