Garmin Dakota 20

According to reviews, the Garmin Dakota 20 is compact, rugged and versatile, with a bevy of features including an easy-to-use touch screen. You'll also find an altimeter, a three-axis electronic compass that keeps its bearings no matter its orientation, wireless transfers between other compatible Garmin GPS devices and more. On the down side, while the Dakota 20's trim form factor makes it a pleasure to take on the trail, the trade-off is a screen that's on the small side, meaning you won't see as much of a map without scrolling. Though the Dakota 20 has some of the same bells and whistles, those looking for the ultimate in GPS features and performance might also want to consider the Garmin Oregon 550t (*Est. $500), which, among other things, offers a bigger, higher definition touch-screen display and a geotagging digital camera.

We found two helpful expert reviews for the Garmin Dakota 20. The most comprehensive is at GPSTracklog.com. Shorter but still competent and worthwhile feedback can be found at About.com. Amazon.com has a selection of owner reviews.