Portable GPS Handheld Devices - Defining Waypoints, Routes and Tracks

Handheld GPS devices are becoming more and more popular for walking and hiking enthusiasts everywhere. With so many models available on the market today offering so many various features, it's easy to become overwhelmed and confused about what you need, and what some of the features even mean.

Two basic questions that many people about using handheld GPS devices are "what are waypoints?" and "what is the distinction between routes and tracks?". Here is a simple explanation that should give you a good understanding of these terms.

Waypoints are precise geographic locations defined by longitude and latitude. Waypoints can be recorded by your GPS unit by pressing the waypoint record button. Inexpensive portable GPS models have limited capacity and will keep relatively few waypoints; top models can store hundreds of waypoints, and you can even give them names and manage them within your GPS.
A route is a set of waypoints connected by straight-line that guides you where you want to go. You "tell" your GPS unit that you want to navigate from one waypoint to the next, and your GPS shows you the route by drawing a straight line between waypoints. This means your GPS will not tell you there is a bend ahead in trail; it will just guide you in a straight line to your next trail junction or campsite. (Keep in mind, that for automobile navigation, the term "route" has a slightly different meaning.)

A track is a record, created by your GPS, of where you have been. As you go on your hiking expedition, your GPS device records track points and displays what many people describe as a "breadcrumb trail". The track represents the road, trail, path, etc. that you followed. Curves are formed with short line segments, so the shape of the trail you have taken is more accurate than the straight-line segments representing a route. Tracks lets you easily go back to your starting point.

Some portable GPS models also let you download your track to your computer to create a record of your trip and print it if you wish. As in the case of waypoints, low-end GPS models offer limited track point storage, while high-end models can store thousands of track points.

By Patricia Peters

A Portable Handheld GPS - 7 Fun Ways to Use It

Have you been wanting to buy a portable handheld GPS or portable GPS navigator but just didn't know quite what you were going to use it for? You may even have friends who own one, but you're still unsure? These devices are great tools that provide a huge array of ways to get the most use out of them. Take a look at some of the fun (and practical) ways to make the most of these fun GPS gadgets:

1. Driving. This is one of the most common and practical ways a GPS device can be used for especially with with mapping software. The software allows you to navigate to and from specific destinations by choosing the shortest distance, or fastest routes. It can get you from one place to another and can even allow you to choose to avoid toll roads, avoid major highways, and have it recalculate to a different route than the one you are currently on. Finding necessities like fuel and food near your current location are also added perks. Do you need to go to the restroom? Yes, just check your GPS and you can find the closest the restroom! Now how cool is that?

2. Kayaking and Boating. Using a portable GPS navigator in boating is beneficial to mark favorite fishing spots, a favorite landing point, a great scenic view that you may want to return to, or to navigate to and from your Kayak put in spot. Once you get out in the water, it is easy to loose your way as it all looks the same unless you have a land mark. A GPS unit will allow you to navigate back the exact same way you went out. Most of the GPS systems also have a Man Overboard feature. If by chance someone falls overboard or you loose equipment (fishing rods, etc.) you can mark the spot and go exactly back to the same location.

3. Hiking. A portable handheld GPS can be used in hiking to mark a trail head, a favorite location along a well-used trail, mark your campsite, trail tracking through the backlog, navigate toward previous marked points, and track your speed, distance, elevation, and much more. A GPS in the wilderness is almost a must and it can actually save your life. There are many stories of hikers getting injured on their journey and by being able to provide the coordinates of their location, rescue help found them quickly.

4. In an Airplane. Only for fun. While flying commercial , you can track the distance to your destination, see how high you are flying, how fast the plane is traveling, and even where you are currently flying over. Make sure to adhere to any regulations about portable electronic devices.

5. Geocaching. A worldwide high tech game of hide and seek, geocaching is a great hobby. Players use their GPS to find treasures, or geocaches, hidden by others with user-posted latitude and longitude coordinates. This recreational sport has only been around for a short time, but is definitely growing in popularity. There are probably a few geocaches within only a mile or two of where you live!

6. Vacation and Tourism. While on vacation, a portable handheld GPS is a great way to visit places that may be of special interest, find local restaurants, and to mark places that you would like to remember, possibly return to, or recommend to others. It's also great for finding lodging and other amenities near your location, if you are traveling on a whim.

7. Biking. The use of a portable GPS navigator is a great way to keep track of statistics like distance biked, how far to a destination, current speed, average speed, amount of time you've been moving, and amount of time spent stopped. Whether you are a serious biker or a casual rider, this is a great way to keep track of your progress.

The possibilities are virtually endless for using a portable GPS navigator. These are just a few ideas. Once you start using one, you'll wonder why you waited so long, and how you managed without it. There are many different styles, so you are able to get one that fits your needs and budget.

By Taylor Gray