Top 5 Handheld #GPS Manufacturers

by Samuel Walker

Handheld GPS units are extremely popular for a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, geocaching, hunting, kayaking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Although there are many different GPS manufacturers to choose from there are five main manufacturers that are extremely popular for handheld GPS units. Each company has their own unique models to choose from.

Below are the five Handheld GPS Manufacturers to consider when searching for a GPS device.

GPS Manufacturers

Garmin
Garmin is likely one of the most popular manufacturers for GPS units as well as many other products. Garmin began its business 21 years ago in 1989. They comprised at that time of a few engineers who got together to develop and construct navigation and communication devices. Today Garmin has offices all over the world and well over 7,000 employees. They design and market units for:

Automotive navigation
Marine devices
Aviation
Fitness
Wireless GPS for smart phones
Outdoor receivers


The Garmin handheld GPS units are well known for offering great quality as well as the latest technology. They are often voted the best in their class.

Magellan
The Magellan Corporation has changed ownership and name several times. The original Magellan Corporation was founded in 1986 but in 2001 they were acquired by Thales, a large electronics company. In 2006 Thales Navigation was purchased by Shah Capital Partners who changed the name to Magellan. Then in 2009 they were bought out again by MiTAC International Corporation. The consumer GPS units are still marketed under the Magellan brand. They have an extensive line of handheld GPS devices as well as automotive navigation devices. Despite the constant change of ownership Magellan still does and always has produced good quality GPS units.

DeLorme
DeLorme has been in business since 1976. They create technology, mapping products, and data not only for consumers but also for professionals. Although they always produced great quality products they really earned a name for themselves in the 1990’s when they pioneered GPS solutions for laptops, Palm OS devices, Pocket PC’s and recently for Bluetooth applications and color topographic maps and aerial imagery. They have a fairly good selection of handheld GPS devices.

Lowrance
Lowrance Electronics Inc. is one of the oldest GPS manufacturers. They began in 1957 and have a pioneer in developing Global Positioning System mapping instruments. They have an extensive line of SONAR and GPS units for outdoor recreation as units for aviation, marine and automotive. They have a decent selection of handheld GPS units.

Bushnell
Bushnell offers a wide range of outdoor technology tools such as binoculars, scopes, rangefinders, trail cameras, flashlights and of course handheld GPS units. They have been in the high performance sports optics industry for over 50 years. They only have a few handheld GPS receivers but they are tailored for all outdoor activities. More basic in design and features than the other GPS manufacturers listed above their units are ideal for any sportsman looking for a GPS device made simple.

With so much choice in handheld GPS manufacturers it is not hard to find a model to suit your outdoor activities and all your needs.

Learn much more about handheld GPS units and find pictures and a comprehensive review of the Garmin GPSMAP 76 waterproof handheld GPS.

Article Source: Top 5 Handheld GPS Manufacturers
Camillus Kayak Shop Demo Day

#Camillus #Kayak Shop Demo Day 

Sunday May 24, 2015
Gillie Lake Park Camillus, NY
The FUN Starts at 10:00 AM

Have you ever attended a demo day? You have the opportunity to try out the kayaks and stand up paddleboards on the water to see which sizes and models are the right fit for you, depending on your skill level and intended use. Here are some thoughts on paddleboarding and kayaking from a recent demo day, sponsored by Camillus Kayak Shop, Camillus, N.Y.
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Cape Cod #Kayaking -- Five Tips to Make Sure Your Trip is Memorable For the Right Reasons

By: Michael Jones

Check Out These Beautiful Cape Cod Kayaking Areas

Scorton Creek in East Sandwich is our local favorite, since it's just a few miles from our home and offers crystal clear waters and views of crabs, snails and even the occasional sea bass. Mashpee River offers a chance to see kingfishers, great blue herons, and osprey, while Grand Island, nestled between Osterville and Cotuit, offers spectacular views of the mansions and gardens of some of Cape Cod's wealthiest residents. Nauset Marsh in Eastham is within the Cape Cod National Seashore and offers shallow saltwater streams that are ideal for bird watching and otter-spotting. You may even catch a glimpse of a seal. Finally, Cliff Pond in Nickerson State Park in Brewster offers the calmest waters and is one location where there is no need to worry about tides. There are lots of places to land, and you can even take a hike on one of the park's many trails.

The 5 Essentials of #Kayaking

by Wilson Tron

You'll find five essential things that you need to go kayaking. This list is especially for whitewater rivers, but in the ocean you'll want the same several essentials. Here are the five essentials:

Kayak

Duh. You can't go kayaking without a kayak. The kayak will be your transportation, carries your gear, and becomes an extension of one's body. Kayaks is usually made of plastic material (most common), fiberglass, wooden, or skin (traditional). Which kind you have depends on your skill and the kind of water you're paddling in.

Paddle

This is what moves the kayak. A paddle will allow you to move where you want; otherwise you might be just drifting. Each person needs their own paddle. It's advisable to bring a break-down paddle along, as well.

PFD (Life Jacket)

Definitely, absolutely required. PFD means Personal Floatation Unit, and does exactly that. It's far better avoid uncomfortable, cheap PFDs and invest in something you will like wearing. Whenever you're around the water you have to wear a PFD. It's also an excellent place to keep sunscreen, snacks, as well as safety equipment such as carabiners and webbing.

Sprayskirt

This is a covering that fits over your torso plus the cockpit of the actual kayak, and will keep water out. While you are wearing a sprayskirt, you can roll the kayak. It also shields against waves stuffing your boat with water. The sprayskirt is why is the kayak a powerful tool: in case you flip in tough whitewater, you can just roll back over and keep proceeding. If you can't roll, you can take the tab on your sprayskirt to release yourself from your boat, known as the a wet exit or swimming. The only kind of kayak that doesn't work with a sprayskirt is the sit-on-top.

Helmet

Mandatory in whitewater or any situation where you might be upside down. There are a variety of kinds from above the ears to full face, depending on your preferences. If you are usually running whitewater, this is another item that is nice to spend a little more on to make certain it's comfortable, because you will almost always be wearing it.

You will likely need to bring more along than these several essentials, but if you were going on a day trip in warm weather with no basic safety gear, it is possible to go kayaking with only most of these five items.