Nice article!! My son is about to take off for Boy Scout summer camp where he is going to do Geocaching Merit Badge. I'd bought him a Garmin Geko 301 a few years back, but he'd shown no real interest in it. So, I just came inside from sitting down with him and showing him some of the features of the GPS.

The first two things I showed him were (1) how to set the coordinate system displayed (D H M.M, D H M S.S, UTM, ...) AND how to select the map datum. I'm so glad you pointed out that CONUS (or on the tiny Geko CONU) is referring to the Continental US. Its so not obvious to the casual user.

Then I taught him how to create a waypoint at his current location, then how to edit the coordinates of the current location to create a waypoint for a different location.

I think he'll enjoy the merit badge.

Another topic that I myself find kind of confusing is the choice of selecting true north or magnetic north ... and what that means. Also, the difference between "bearing", "course" and "heading" on the GPS.

I wish it were easier to obtain the current magnetic declination from a GPS. I assume some might be easier than others.

BTW, I once heard from someone that the Geko 301 is coveted by many backpackers since it is so tiny and lightweight ... and no longer made.