GPS Electronic Hiking Gear

"I don’t climb mountain. Mountain climbs me. Mountain is myself. I climb on myself."
Nanao Sakaki

Backpacker Magazine 2008
Editors' Choice Award Winner

SPOT Satellite Personal Messenger

The world's first satellite messenger, SPOT sends your coordinates and messages via commercial satellite to inform others of your location and status.
Offers an affordable alternative to personal locator beacons, satellite phones and cell-based GPS trackers
Provides virtually full coverage in North America, Europe and Australia
Also covers portions of South America, northern Africa and northeastern Asia, along with thousands of miles of offshore areas
''Alert 911'' function dispatches emergency responders to your exact location
Use ''Help'' feature to request assistance from friends or family
''Check In'' allows you to transmit your location and that you are okay
Track your progress by sending and saving points along your route to Google Maps™
GPS satellites determine location; reliable SPOT satellites transmit information
Rugged unit floats, works in extreme temps and altitudes and can be submerged up to 1m
Weighs less than 8 oz. and is small and easy to carry
Optional features include SPOTcast automatic tracking service and guaranteed extraction assistance in countries lacking emergency services
2 AA lithium batteries (included) provide 1 year of power (unused), 14 days in SPOTcast mode and 7 days in 911 mode, or 1,900 SPOTcheck ''OK'' messages
Requires $99 annual subscription; $7.95 for optional extraction assistance in countries without emergency services (available at www.findmespot.com)

Outside Magazine Gear of the Year 2006

Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx GPS

High-sensitivity GPS receiver gives you improved satellite reception even in heavy tree cover or deep canyons
Barometric altimeter provides extremely accurate elevation data
Electronic compass can determine your heading and direction, even when you're standing still
IPX7 waterproof case can withstand an soaking in the water and still function
Large, color TFT display makes viewing the screen easy, day or night
Comes with: MapSource® Trip and Waypoint Manager software, PC USB interface cable, lanyard, manual and quick start guide
Compatible with MapSource BlueChart®, U.S. Topo 24K, and City Select®
Follow your route, marking up to 50 reversible routes; find your way back with Garmin's exclusive TracBack™ feature
Proximity alerts sound at arrival, off-course, waypoint and anchor drag

Backpacker Magazine 2005 Award Winner
Garmin Foretrex 101 GPS

Garmin Foretrex 101 GPS

Simple, single-hand operational system features six ergonomically situated buttons that intuitively guide you through functions
Navigate for up to 15 hours on two AAA batteries (based on typical use)
WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) enabled receiver delivers accuracy within 3 meters or better
For the mariner, sail race feature allows you to configure the start countdown sequence with audible alerts at each start phase
View route and follow it back with Garmin's exclusive TracBack® feature
Navigate 20 reversible routes; stores 500 waypoints with name and graphic symbols and 10,000 trackpoints
Trip computer calculates current, average and maximum speed; also tracks trip time and calculates distance
Computer-compatible design allows you to load waypoints and routes directly from your computer (cable sold seperately)
Waterproof construction, meets IEC 529 lPX7 standard (functional after 30 minutes submerged in 1 meter of water)
High-contrast screen with bright LED backlighting for use in low-light conditions