Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator is a perfect portable GPS for people who don’t want to spend a lot of money on their navigational equipment (about $80 on Amazon).

About Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator

Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS will help you find your way even in the roughest terrain thanks to super-sensitive GPS receiver, which can find your location quickly and accurately and is able to keep its GPS position even in dense forests or deep canyons.

The ‘H” stands for “High Sensitivity” unit, which was released in 2007. Although older units look almost the same, but they lack this important navigational power. The highly sensitive chip has the processing power that can rival many of the more expensive units on the market.

The eTrex H design is durable and weather-proof, so you don’t need to worry about using it in the rain or even accidentally dropping in the water. It is lightweight and fitting easily in the palm of your hand.

The interface is intuitive and easy to use even with one hand. You’ll be able to read the display even in bright light or in a shade.

There are many additional handy features such as waypoints, compass, built-in clock, altitude, bearing and heading. You can customize the menus and displays to fit your needs.

This is a perfect starter unit for people who are looking for point-to-point navigation when hiking, camping, fishing or geocaching. However, it will not guide you down streets and does not show maps, so if you want road network navigation, you may have to look at something else.

Buy Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator

 Warning: Read This Before You Buy

This unit does not accept Garmin maps. It will download waypoints, tracks, routes from the Garmin map programs, but will not accept the map.

The result is that all one sees is a waypoint on a gray screen, without reference to a street name, or other map feature like a lake. It’s almost like traveling in the dark, not seeing or knowing what surrounds you.

Without the ability to display maps, this unit is a TOY if one wants to use it to accurately navigate to NEW locations. Test your ability to self-determine what one true coordinate is beforehand. If you can do it, this is for you. If you can’t figure out coordinates from a map, then you’ll understand the problem and have your answer about this unit.

I use DeLorme Atlas and Gazetteers, which use the same grids as Garmin (WGS 84) and can come to within about a block or two of true coordinates. Hiking, or in the woods, this can mean disaster. Are you 2 blocks to the left, or 2 blocks to the right of where you want to be? Are you 2 blocks too far, or are you 2 blocks too short. Point is that you may be 4 blocks left or right, or 4 blocks too far or too short of where you planned on going!

Without reference images, the waypoints are basically for ’survival’, and not navigating to a new destination as no new destination can be seen on the screen.

It is good for survival if lost in the woods or ocean and one needs help. You can call for rescue with the current coordinates. One can track back and one can also plug in coordinates to Go To, but the problem of it is, is: That one needs to use it in conjunction with a paper map, or other external map and plug in the coordinates BEFORE reaching it, to intentionally navigate to a new location.

This is good for geocaching when you can plug in the coordinates prior to going out. This is good for young children as an introductory training tool, BUT you will feel the need to upgrade immediately.
Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator

Purchase Garmin eTrex H Handheld GPS Navigator

If you are looking to buy a handheld gps navigation system, read more about Handheld GPS systems and How to select the right GPS device for your needs?

A question that many people ask when they decide to buy a GPS tracking device, goes something like this “What is the best GPS for my needs? I want to use it for running, hiking, camping, boating, fishing, and driving. I’m learning to play golf, so golfing capabilities would be nice, too. I don’t want the cheapest GPS device, but would not want to pay more than $300.”

To be honest, I would like to buy a such versatile portable GPS unit myself, but to my best knowledge, there is no such model currently available. GPS devices available on the market today provide a COMPROMISE between different objectives. Some are optimized for driving and giving directions, others for walking, still others for biking, running, boating, golfing, fishing, flying, or even spying. Some cheapest basic GPS units provide you with your longitude/latitude information; others display your position on an electronic map screen.

Just as there is no “best choice” for everyone when choosing a computer, a camera, or a car, there is no “best” unit for multiple applications in the GPS department. “BEST” is highly dependent on your specific lifestyle and needs, money you want to spend, and the features that YOU like.

If you are thinking about buying portable GPS navigation system, read more on GPS Handheld Navigation blog, How to choose the right GPS device for your needs? If you are a golfer, you may be interested to learn how golf GPS systems can help you improve your game. If you enjoy hikng, Hiking with a GPS Handheld Unit may answer some questions that you have about buying best GPS handheld unit for your outdoor adventures. Also learn more about kids GPS, GPS tracking cell phone, and gps vehicle tracking. If you want to save yourself some money, read about buying a refurbished GPS.