What To Look For
As you drive to your next hiking or biking adventure, you can find more obscure starting points with a portable GPS navigator. These small devices can move from car to car and help direct you to a trailhead that you may miss on a traditional map. The best portable GPS navigators offer you an easy interface to input your desired destination and clear directions for more locations.
Common Pitfalls
Since roads are constantly changing, the maps that are built into GPS navigators can become quickly outdated. Some GPS systems allow you to upgrade these maps for free, but most cost an additional fee or may not be available at all. If you can't update the map your portable GPS navigator uses, you're more likely to get lost on your way to your next expedition.
Where To Buy
GPS navigation systems are available in a wide variety of stores. While discount stores like Target or Wal-Mart do carry GPS systems, you're better off going to an electronics store like Best Buy to find a wider variety of available portable GPS navigators.
Cost
The price of portable GPS navigators varies with the features the model offers. A higher-end model might include features like Bluetooth, an iPod connection and an FM transmitter. According to CNET, the five best portable GPS navigators in 2010 range in price from $100 to $390.
Insider Tips
If you travel outside the United States and Canada, make sure your portable GPS navigator will work internationally. According to Consumer Reports, some upper-end models by Garmin and TomTom do have international capabilities.
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