TOP-OF-LINE GEKO IS THE PERFECT GPS.Byline: Stephen Regenold Special to the Daily News The Geko line of global-positioning system (GPS) devices has gained popularity for their small size, ease of use and relatively feature-rich capabilities. The Geko 301 - the top-end model in a line of three - measures a scant scant adj. scant·er, scant·est 1. Barely sufficient: paid scant attention to the lecture. 2. Falling short of a specific measure: a scant cup of sugar. 1.9 x 3.9 x .96 inches and weighs 3.4 ounces, including its two AAA batteries
An AAA battery (pronounced "triple A") is 44.5 mm long and 10.5 mm in diameter, weighing around 11.5 grams. Output of alkaline batteries in this size is 1. . Basic features include a digital compass, an altimeter altimeter (ăltĭm`ĭtər, ăl`tĭmē'tər), device for measuring altitude. The most common type is an aneroid barometer calibrated to show the drop in atmospheric pressure in terms of linear elevation as an airplane, , all standard GPS navigational tools and several built-in GPS games. Controlling the Geko 301 can be performed easily with one hand, as there are just five buttons to access all features. The menu system is based on a series of menu pages and sub-menus that give access to the functions. Learning the ins and outs ins and outs pl.n. 1. The intricate details of a situation, decision, or process. 2. The windings of a road or path. is fairly intuitive. I played with the device for a half-hour before looking at the manual and had the basics figured out. Testing the device on long treks into the woods, I was happy with its performance. The Geko 301 captures trip data automatically - including distance traveled, maximum speed, average speed and altitude gained and lost - and stores the information for later viewing. You also can download the data to a computer at home and enter it into a variety of software programs for analysis. Latitudinal and longitudinal lon·gi·tu·di·nal adj. Running in the direction of the long axis of the body or any of its parts. information can be viewed at any time. The device also creates a virtual map of your route on the Geko's small, monochrome Also called "mono." Refers to display screens that use one foreground and one background color; for example, black on white, white on black or green on black. The first terminals connected to mainframes and minicomputers were monochrome, and monochrome screens were widely used on early display. Way points can be established anywhere to mark a location; the device will store symbolized way points to let you mark fishing holes or camps with small graphics that appear on the stored GPS routes. The digital compass feature is nice, as you can get all directional In one direction. Contrast with omnidirectional. information off of one device. It works fine most of the time, but I've had trouble with digital compasses in the past and thus never head into the woods without an old-fashioned magnetic compass as well. The Geko 301's altimeter also is handy, especially in the mountains where elevation change is dramatic. Because the altimeter is based on barometric ba·rom·e·ter n. 1. An instrument for measuring atmospheric pressure, used especially in weather forecasting. 2. Something that registers or responds to fluctuations; an indicator: pressure readings, the Geko 301 has a built-in 12-hour pressure-trend tool for gauging changing weather conditions. Overall, the Geko 301 is a great GPS device for beginners or seasoned explorers who need just the basic functions. It does not come with street or city maps loaded in, like some GPS models, but all the necessary navigational tools are included to get you through the woods and back home again. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: The Garmin Geko 301 is a perfect global-positioning system for explorers who need just the basics. Garmin International, Inc. |
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