Glock-A-Roo,

A map and compass are invaluable even if you have a GPS with you.

That said, this is cool about them:

.....even the low-end GPS's, approx $100, can store waypoints. If you have extra batteries with you, run the GPS "on" during your hike, setting waypoints every so often. Most GPS's, when left "on", will track your route, showing a bold line over the route you've traveled. All you need to do to get back where you started is "follow the bold line". I know that sounds over-simplified and it is, almost. You can name your waypoints, too, i.e. "dead tree", or "windmill", etc.

If you're willing to spend $170 plus, you can load maps of your area. Depending on how much you spend, you'll be able to zoom in on the maps. Barometric altimeter, thermometers, etc., don;t mean much to me, so I wouldn't spend the $250 & up you'll have to pay to get them (unless they're important to YOU). I mean, you're going to get elevation with all models and as far as temperature goes... well, you can tell if it's cold or hot outside. Also, if I want a barometric altimeter with me, I'd probably want a small gen., a microwave, and maybe a TV with a small DVD player too. It's easy (in my oh-so-very-humble opinion) to get carried away with technology insofar as GPS's go. They have voice models too, mostly for vehicle use. You've heard them on TV. How about on the trail? I DON'T want a sexy female voice saying "Turn left at the dead squirrel".... I don't need any temptation in the boonies <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The screen size on all of them is small and hard to read.... not that that's all important. Color is nice, but it costs and helps only with mapping software. All of them are hard to read, especiall y in bright light. Now, I'm not damning them, just trying to give you a user's view of the things to help you decide what's important for you.

You'll do this anyway because you're smart: go to Walmart, REI, Sportsmans Wrhse, wherever they'll let you, and play with these things. Sometimes you'll get lucky, the emplyees working the counter can be invaluable (especially at REI - they seem to almost always have good tech knowledge of the items in their particular department).

My "e"pinion? get a basic model Garmin or Magellin, under $200. You'll get some mapping ability which is pretty cool. For $100, you'll get a cool little tool that you'll learn to appreciate, albeit w/o sophisticated maps. Carry a map and compass anyway just because you should.

Good luck (hope I didn't muck things up)