What Is The Best GPS For Geocaching?
Before we get into what is the best GPS for geocaching, let’s talk a little bit about what makes up the game. The worldwide, entertaining treasure hunting game of geocaching is actually designed around a GPS, in fact, no cache could be hidden or located without one. Of course, you’ll also need online access as the Internet is where all caches are listed and marked as found. Almost everyone these days has access to the Internet. So, what anyone new to the game will be looking for is what he or she considers the best geocaching GPS unit that has the most features that meets his or her own particular needs. And, just because a GPS system meets your geocaching needs doesn’t mean that it has to cost and arm and a leg. Amazingly, some of their prices are about half what they are at other online stores. 
Not all geocachers are created equal, and for that reason,
the Best GPS For Geocaching,
really depends on the individual and how serious he or she is about the wildly popular worldwide technological treasure hiding and seeking game. It also depends upon where the geocaching enthusiast intends to be participating in the sport of geocaching. As an example, some geocaching enthusiasts will be searching for caches strictly within their own towns or cities, while other more adventurous and athletic participants will set their sights on a cache in the more remote mountain, forest, or desert locations. The urban geocachers, the ones that are targeting and seeking caches in local neighborhoods within towns and cities will need a GPS preloaded with up-to-date road maps. However, the real outdoors type, the geocacher that enjoys hiking and camping and trekking through challenging rough terrain will not be all that concerned with an up-to-the-minute road mapping feature. These goecaching enthusiasts will be more concerned with how the GPS unit performs using only coordinates to locate hidden caches, and how quickly and accurately it locks onto satellite signals no matter where the cache is located. They will want a GPS that continues to receive accurate information out in the boon docks, under heavy cloud and tree cover, in the mountains, and away from civilization all together, or while in a pocket or backpack. Additionally, they will want a lightweight unit that is easy to carry and one that is totally waterproof. In this example, the hiking/camping geocaching enthusiast will be able to get a terrific, dependable GPS at a bargain basement price, while the city geocacher will probably pay more for up-to-the-minute mapping features. Here at Best GPs For Geocaching Guide, we will be introducing you to those GPS systems that are not only well suited for geocaching in general, but also have the specific GPS features needed to meet the needs of each individual enthusiast. Here, you’ll find the GPS that is perfect for you; one that will fit your ability and cache preference. We give you the PROS and CONS of every system we recommend. As you can easily tell because each geocacher is uniquely different, what may be the best GPS for geocaching for one enthusiast won’t necessarily be the best device for the next enthusiast.
Check List For Handheld GPS For Geocaching!
Honestly, there is no single best handheld GPS for geocaching, what might be ideal for one person, may not even be of the slightest consideration to the next.
However, if pricing is a consideration, Click Here For The Best Price On A Handheld GPS For Geocaching
But, having said that, there are a number of geocaching features that would be important to literally everyone when thinking about purchasing a handheld GPS for geocaching.
1. Is the screen easy to read? Look for a good-sized screen with good contrast on your portable handheld GPS. For bright sunlight readability, you’ll want a screen that has trans reflective properties.
2. Does the GPS device lock onto satellite signals with speed and accuracy? Will the unit continue to receive guidance through heavy cloud and tree cover, while in your pocket or backpack, or through the windshield of your vehicle?
If so, you’ll need the GPS to have 12 parallel channels, and you might want it to be WAAS-enabled so you can pinpoint your target caches with greater accuracy.
3. The best GPS for GeoCaching should be lightweight and relatively small so it will be easy for you to carry. Ideally, it should be small enough to fit into your jeans pocket.
4. Can you easily make sense of the information you receive? In order to find caches easily and avoid getting yourself lost, you’ll want your handheld GPS system to be capable of marking at least 500 waypoints (significant points along the way).
5. Is the unit waterproof? The best handheld GPS units for geocaching are waterproof. Often, while geocaching you’ll run into foul weather, and while plastic baggies can certainly help, you’ll want the GPS itself to be watertight; in fact, you can count on its getting wet at some point in your treasure hunting adventures, so you’ll definitely want it to have the waterproof feature.
6. Does the handheld GPS for geocaching have a respectable battery life? Where this is concerned, the longer the battery life, the better, but also the bigger and longer lasting the battery, the heavier the handheld GPS device.
If the weight of the unit is of concern to you, then, you might consider taking along some extra batteries. One thing is for sure, when you’re in the thick of the cache hunt, you sure don’t want your portable handheld GPS to quit on you.
7. How rugged is it? Part of the fun of geocaching, especially the camping and hiking variety, is that you’ll be out climbing and going through brushy undercover. You can be sure that your GPS will be banged around.
Here are a couple of handheld GPS for geocaching units that will easily fill the bill:
From almost anywhere, this small lightweight unit will lock onto several satellites. You’ll have no worries if you run into inclement or wet weather, heavy tree or cloud cover, or if you have to put the device in your pocket or backpack.
For a wallet saving GPS, the 201 is a terrific little basic GPS. It is sturdy and performs very well in geocaching expeditions. You can count on the 201 to give you quick and accurate directions.
It doesn’t display detailed maps. But, it does clearly map out the route, and it shows clear landmarks and way points so you’ll always know where you’ve been.
As you can tell, the best GPS for geocaching is the one that fits your particular needs.
Any handheld GPS for geocaching that has the features mentioned in our check list should give you many years of fun, excitement and dependable accurate service.
