 | Display
type Monochrome
and older high resolution (hi-res) units tend to be more difficult to read
in daylight conditions. Even so, the newer hi-res units are suitable for
handheld use, where you will intuitively tilt the screen for the best view.
They can also be customized to enhance viewing in bright conditions. The
only hi-res units I recommend for fixed mount, non-external power use
(e.g., bike handlebars) are the Dakota and Oregon 6xx series. |
| Ability
to add maps/storage
If a unit accepts maps, the storage medium or available internal memory is
listed. Units with pre-loaded detailed maps also offer some internal
storage, in addition to SD/microSD. Please note that there are lots of free
maps available for these
units. |
| Accepts
custom maps
These units can accept custom
raster maps and Garmin
BirdsEye imagery. |
| Electronic
compass These
units also have a barometric
altimeter. You can read more about electronic compasses here.
A two-axis compass must be held level; a three-axis (AKA tri-axial) compass
does not need to be held level, but is more of a pain to calibrate. Units
listed as auto generally do not need calibration. |
| Paperless
geocaching
These units will display the full geocache description, cache size,
difficulty and terrain ratings, and recent logs. |
| Turn
by turn These
units can give turn-by-turn highway directions when the proper maps (usually
City Navigator) are added, making them effective dual-use
units. |
| Waypoints/Routes
and Trackpoints/Tracks The numbers listed are the number of
waypoints and routes that can be saved, followed by the tracklog capacity
and number of tracks that can be saved. |
| Miscellaneous
Wireless data refers to these units ability to transfer data wirelessly
with other compatible Garmin units. You can transfer waypoints, tracks,
routes and geocache summaries (paperless caching details cannot be
transferred). |
