As GPS technology has progressed over the years the size of handheld GPS units has shrunk while performance and power have increased. This is good news for outdoor enthusiasts such as backpackers, bikers, cross-country skiers, and geocachers. These pocket sized units will help you find your way, keep track of where you are, and show you the way back to where you came from.

There are two general classifications of handheld GPS units. The first is a dedicated unit that is strictly a GPS receiver. This type of unit includes multiple screens that show you everything from the direction you are traveling to how long it's going to take you to get to your destination. The Magellan Triton handheld is this type of unit.

The other type of handheld GPS is an add-on to a PDA. In essence this is a piece of hardware that plugs-in to the PDA and gives it GPS functionality. This can be a nice add-on but you do need to be aware that these plug-ins tend to be bulky and take up space, something you do not need to worry about with a dedicated GPS unit.

Here are some things to think about if you are considering buying a handheld GPS system.

The first thing to consider is how and where you intend to use it. This is important because getting a GPS signal to your receiver from orbiting satellites is dependent on line of site. If you spend a lot of time in deep canyons, rugged mountainous areas, beneath dense foliage and tree cover, or even the skyscraper canyons of a city you may not always get a good signal. Normally there are enough satellites overhead to mitigate this problem but it is an issue that will occur and something to think about.

Another thing you want to look for when considering a handheld unit is what type of add-ons and accessories are available for that particular model. Are firmware updates freely available and easy to download and install? Can additional maps and data be loaded onto the unit that meets your specific needs? Is there software/hardware available that lets you interface the GPS unit with your home computer or laptop?

Most handheld systems give you all these options but you do need to so your research before hand. Choosing a handheld GPS unit based on your needs will go a long way towards getting the system that works best for you.