Here are features and products I recommend. For outdoor athlete or sportsman, be sure your GPS has these features: topographical mapping, back tracking, a computer interface, weatherproofing, 12 receiver channels and WAAS. I recommend portable GPS units in Garmin eTrex Series and Magellan Meridian Series. For driving applications, be sure your GPS has these features: street mapping, large display, a computer interface and external antenna compatibility. I recommend automotive GPS units in Garmin StreetPilot Series and Magellan RoadMate Series. For boating and other marine applications, be sure your GPS has these features: marine mapping, color screen, active sonar, back tracking, a computer interface and weatherproofing. I recommend marine GPS Units in Garmin GPSMAP Series.

Prices for GPS units vary a great deal and in general, you get what you pay for. While some units cost around $100 and offer relatively few features, others may cost as much as $1000 or even more and are loaded with dozens of features. Here is a good rule of thumb for determining how much money to spend on your next GPS. You should expect to pay between $200 and $300 to get a decent GPS Unit. I own a Garmin eTrex Vista. I believe it is best GPS available for under $300.

If you don’t have a GPS or yours is more than five years old, now’s time to get one. Adding a new GPS to your inventory of backcountry toys will take your outdoor adventures to a new level of enjoyment. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!

So where is my perfect campsite? I won’t tell you exactly, but it’s at 7,600 feet elevation just 10 miles from south entrance to Grand Canyon and is only 3 miles from pavement. It sits in Kaibab National Forest amidst countless Ponderosa Pines, has very few insects and cannot be seen from dirt road which is only 200 feet away. The area has an abundance of elk, deer, firewood and natural running water. From a nearby hill I have a great view of Grand Canyon. I’ve camped here many times and I don’t think anyone else has used this spot in past ten years. Now that’s perfect!

Perhaps your perfect campsite has a swimming pool, electricity, a convenience store, a club house and sewage hookups. That’s awesome. Camping takes on different looks for different folks and key to getting most out of your outdoor times is knowing what you like and going after it. Do a little research before heading out and be sure to go take along someone you care about. You’ll be guaranteed to have a great time. Use this information and you’ll Get It Right The First Time. Get Outdoors!