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The type of equipment needed all depends on its intended use. It is as difficult to read a small handheld screen while driving down a bumpy dirt road as it is to take a Notebook on a hiking trip.
Understanding the features available will allow a more informed purchase and provide the opportunity to use the equipment to its full potential.

Features
Today GPS receivers are packed with features and options, more than many us will ever use.The following is a list of the typical, optional, and required features.Review this checklist before you buy.

Accuracy: Accuracy is consistent in most receivers, (assuming the antenna has a clear view of the sky). Regardless of the style or cost, accuracy averages within 15 meters anywhere in the world. Accuracy can be improved within three meters with WAAS.

Address Finder: Allows an exact address to be located within a basemap database.

Alarms: An alarm notifies the user of an approaching waypoint. Text Alarms flash a message on the screen, audible alarms sound a tone.

Altimeter: A 3-D, four-satellite fix provides elevation information, although, satellite based altimeters are not known for being highly accurate. Some units provide a built in barometric altimeter for accurate elevation readings independent of a satellite connection.

Antenna: The options available are built-in, detachable or external. The antenna option is important because it is a determining factor on how the equipment can be used. Receivers with built-in antennas are more durable for hiking, but are restricted in their use. Detachable antennas are ideal for receivers used in and out of vehicles. External is for vehicle applications where equipment is mounted with no clear view of the sky.

Battery Duration: Battery life is important for extended hikes with no other power source available. Receivers are rated for battery life duration for both continuous use and power saver modes.

Clock & Timer: Receivers provide precise atomic time in either a 12 or 24 hour display. Various timer features include date, time traveled and estimated time of arrival.

Compass Data: Receivers provide a compass direction if the unit is moving approximately ten MPH. Stationary, they will provide a compass bearing from a current location to any other location. A receiver can be programmed to display compass data in either true or magnetic north. A pointer is also provided to help a traveler maintain the correct bearing. Some of the most recent units include a built-in digital compass to provide direction while the receiver is stationary.

Computer Interface: Data in/out capability allows the unit to receive, (upload), data from a computer, or send, (download), data to a computer. This information includes digital maps, track logs, waypoints and routes.

Coordinates Displayed: Most receivers provide the option to display mapping coordinates in multiple international formats. The primary two are latitude/longitude and UTM, Universal Transverse Mercator.

Cursor Arrow Data Field: Receivers with a rocker keypad can scroll a cursor arrow on a map page. Data displayed in a Data Field includes the coordinates of the cursor arrow's position, as well as the distance from the current location.

DGPS or WAAS Ready: These receivers are capable of accepting radio signals that can increase accuracy to within three meters. These accuracy-improving systems are primarily used in aviation and marine applications.

Routes: A series of waypoints listed in sequence from start to finish. Routes typically contain up to 30 waypoints. Designed to guide to a destination, they can also be inverted or reversed, to track back from the destination to the starting point.

Satellite Status Page: Information includes the number of satellites being locked onto with a signal strength bar for each. This page may also provide a battery level indicator.

Sun Position: Provides sun and moon positions including sunrise and sunset.

Track Log: Plots an electronic breadcrumb trail as a sequence of dots or trackpoints, showing a path traveled.

Travel Data: Includes distance and time to next waypoint, current speed, average speed and trip odometer.

Water Resistance: Receivers are rated for their resistance to water. Water-resistant usually means the equipment can be splashed or briefly dunked. Waterproof means the equipment can be submerged for a specific amount of time before damage occurs. Regardless of rating, use a watertight box or bag if used around water. Saltwater can kill electronics instantly.

Waypoints: Specifically recorded locations stored within a receiver's memory. Saved waypoints allow the return to exact locations. Most modern receivers have the ability to store at least 300 waypoints.

Optional Features

Auto Routing: Provides turn-by-turn directions to a waypoint. Directions may be in the form of arrows and/or automated voice commands.

Electronic Basemap: Most recent model receivers include a map database stored within their memory. Basemaps include general information on cities, roadways and waterways. The maps are not always highly detailed, but are still impressive, considering they typically include such large geographic areas like North America or Europe.

Warning: Using a receiver without a basemap database requires the ability to read and plot map coordinates. Coordinates alone are virtually useless without the ability to transfer their actual location to a map.

Memory: For receivers with a basemap, memory is used to store additional mapping data. GPS manufacturers provide greater detailed maps on CD-ROM exclusively for their brand. Mapping detail, especially topo contour lines use a great deal of memory. Two megabytes will allow the storage of a few small areas. Eight megabytes may allow the storage of the primary areas of a home state. Ideally, a receiver will have a minimum of eight megabytes of memory. Some models use memory cards allowing virtually unlimited storage with high capacity cards, or by storing multiple maps on more than one card.

Required Feature

12 Parallel Channels: Make sure your receiver is capable of 12 Parallel Channels.

Most units sold after 1997 are equipped with this feature, however, the first receivers available were all single channel. Some of these older units have similar model numbers with marketing stating they can scan 12 satellites. This is not the same as a 12 Parallel unit that can process data from 12 satellites through 12 channels all at the same time. The older single channel equipment processes information much slower from each individual satellite, one at a time through a single channel.