At the moment the geocaching GPS brands most widely used among geocachers

 are Garmin, Delorme, Magellan and Lowrance. For anybody who is thinking 

about a very simple no frills geocaching GPS you ought to investigate the 

Geomate Jr. Geomate is a relatively inexpensive GPS which comes pre-loaded 

with 250,000 geocache coordinates, but doesn't have the 

features of similar units. It is a wonderful unit for youngsters who wish a 

GPS of their very own. All today's geocaching GPS manufactures produce 

first-rate reliable units, the difficulty is choosing which elements do you

 really require and which are nice options. With GPS selling prices ranging from

 roughly $50 for a elementary model, to upwards of $500 or more, buying 

your first GPS for geocaching is certainly a critical consideration. A little homework 

now can save you lots of money (and frustration) down the line.

This is a list of what are considered to be the minimum features for 

the best GPS for geocaching.

 
Accuracy: Accuracy isn't commonly regarded to be a key point of difference 

between specific GPS receivers since they all get their readings through the

same set of satellites. But WAAS enabled gps units are considered the most

 reliable. WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) was developed by the 

Federal Aviation Administration as an air navigation aid developed to 

enhance the Global Positioning System (GPS), with the purpose of maximizing

 its accuracy, integrity, and availability.  

Durability: At some time, you can expect to drop your geocaching GPS 

and, at some time, it will get wet! That being said make it a point to 

start looking for a GPS that's sturdy and waterproof (or at least water 

resistant) 

 
Good Battery Life: The best way to wreck a day of geocaching is to have

 to give up on your pursuit merely because you ran out of battery power.

 Exceptional battery life is furthermore a important safety factor. Following

 a day of geocaching particularly in difficult terrain, you'll need your GPS 

to get you back to safety. Look for a GPS that utilizes replaceable AA or 

AAA batteries, and definitely bring a spare set on hand. Rechargeable 

lithium batteries definitely are a good choice because they last a lot 

longer than regular alkaline batteries. 
 
Backlit Display: While readily readable in full sun should you be in a

 location with thick tree cover, notably on a over cast day you want to

 have a backlit display. This is essential if you should get caught outdoors

 after dark. 

 
Base map: A base map is basically a map that is permanently held in

 the GPS's memory. This is typically not a high-definition or highly 

detailed map, however it does provide significant highways and terrain

 features like rivers and lakes. This makes the job of choosing a specific 

location much easier and can help you stay clear of major obstacles. 

Basic GPS units without base maps simply display Speed, Bearing 

(Direction of travel), Distance traveled, and Distance to your final destination. 

 
Topo (topographical) Map: A significant thing to remember when geocaching

 is that your GPS points the direction to your objective in a straight line, 

or as "the crow flies". It's not at all like a automotive GPS that takes into

 account the roads you are traveling on and displays how much further 

you need to go. Should you have to go up any hills or detour around a pond 

or lake the actual distance you will need to walk could very well be a lot more

 than what your GPS is indicating. A topo map enables you to see these 

obstacles before hand and help you save a considerable amount of time and energy. 

 
Computer Interface: A large number of new gps for geocaching can 

be linked to a personal pc through a USB cable. The higher priced models

 can likewise link up through a wireless network or a Bluetooth connection. 

The ability to connect to your computer allows you to download 

cache coordinates and other details straight onto your GPS at the click of a button. It can be

 quite time-consuming to enter all of the coordinates on your GPS by hand and if you happen

 to make a mistake you will not pinpoint the cache. 

 
Waypoint Saving: This function enables you to store a unique location (waypoint) within your 

GPS unit's memory. Consistent  storage of waypoints can enhance your safety in challenging

 terrain as it will allow you to retrace your steps back to your original location. Some 

geocaching GPS units include a "Track Log" feature that permits you to use previous waypoints 

as "breadcrumbs" to find your way back to where you started. The best gps for geocaching 

will have an "Auto Tracking" function which will systematically store waypoints. 

 
Memory: The best geocaching GPS devices use microSD cards for saving maps and geocache

 locations. The microSD cards  are also beneficial if you conclude you would like to go 

geocaching in some other area of the country, (or the world) you can store all of your new 

maps and geocache coordinates on a spare card and quite simply switch it for the card you typically use. 

 
When thinking about the best GPS for geocaching, make sure to bear in mind all of the available

features. Despite the fact that a basic geocaching GPS is without a doubt cheaper, it could 

be in your best interest purchasing a higher priced unit that's got all of the features you will 

want, as opposed to settling for a cheap model that may end up in dissatisfactory results and 

require upgrading later on.

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