These days, GPS receivers are common navigational add-ons in vehicles. But if you’re looking to utilize this cutting-edge satellite positioning technology out of the car—while geocaching, for instance—you’ll need a more compact, handheld unit.

The wide array of options may be intimidating, but it also gives you tremendous flexibility in selecting a receiver that fits your needs and budget.

Photo by m.prinke

Bare-bones units run for as little as $50 used. For higher rollers, more money can score you fancy graphics, bigger screens, more memory, preloaded map data, wireless capability, a stronger antenna, and waterproof certification.

Geocaching.com has a handy purchasing guide that explains what features to look for. But you can’t go wrong with any of the five models below, listed in price order from lowest to highest.

1. Garmin eTrex

This entry-level offering from Garmin—easily the most popular brand among geocachers—will help you hit the ground running. With a mantra of simplicity, the eTrex provides basic GPS features with a no-nonsense user interface.

The Lowrance iFinder Go2 is another solid starter model and comes stocked with U.S. marine map data.

Price: $103.95 | BUY

2. Garmin Vista HCx

Moving up a few steps from the eTrex, Garmin’s Vista HCx has a more powerful antenna to maintain satellite connection under a variety of conditions, and its microSD card slot allows you to upload map data to complement the built-in basemap. The bright color screen is a nice touch as well.

Price: $234.14 | BUY

3. Garmin 60CSx

One look at the 60CSx and you can tell why it’s been a favorite among geocachers. It offers all the virtues of the HCx as well as a more sensitive antenna, certified water resistance, and added buttons for quicker navigation through its features.

Price: $293.13 | BUY

4. DeLorme Earthmate PN-40

This spanking-new model from DeLorme is meeting with rave reviews from the GPS community.

Purchasers of the Earthmate PN-40 can look forward to the latest satellite acquisition chipset, storage capabilities, and global basemap data, as well as high-resolution aerial imagery and photo geo-tagging options. In addition, DeLorme customer service receives high marks.

Price: $338.49 | BUY

5. Garmin Oregon 400T

Want your GPS receiver to look more like your iPhone? Then the Oregon 400T is the unit for you.

The touchscreen interface, 3D terrain displays, and photo viewer really set this one at the head of the class. Create a profile based on your activity—geocaching, driving, boating, etc.—and the Oregon 400T will automatically sort through its myriad features to help you locate the ones you’ll need most often.

What’s more, its specialized geocaching function enables you to download cache information from geocaching.com and access it during the hunt.

Price: $461.55 | BUY

Community Connection

Interested in geocaching? Check out Geocaching 101: Introduction to a 21st Century Sport

A recent 5-week visit to Mexico City gave me cause to acquaint myself with the hot-off-the-presses edition – released September 2008 – of Lonely Planet’s guide to this mega-city.

Photo by DoctorWho

First Impressions

Immediately obvious are the book’s graphical differences from the ordinary Lonely Planet style. Mexico City has a snappier, more modern look. A quick perusal reveals an updated organizational format as well. This took a little getting used to, but before long I was digging the fresh setup.

Pluses

Price: $13.59 | BUY

Mexico City fulfilled its most important task—it kept my agenda full of activities for the entire 35 days of my stay. I never ran out of ideas; in fact, there were many suggestions I didn’t get around to pursuing.

Breadth of information: check.

As a visitor, it can be difficult to discern how deep a guidebook delves, how far off the tourist track it’s able to take you, if it does at all.

I met a local at a bar one night who seemed intent on directing my touristic endeavors. As her jotted list of recommendations spilled farther and farther down the paper napkin, I had to stifle a grin.

Every single entry was familiar; I’d already read about them in the guidebook.

What’s more, many of these attractions were included in the book’s detailed neighborhood walking tours, which transcend the typical foot-tour fare, taking you through narrow alleys and overlooked passageways to uncover obscure interests.

Depth of information: check.

Minuses

Photo by DoctorWho

Each of the main districts is introduced separately, accompanied by a map and list of sights and attractions. Their wining, dining, and accommodation info, however, are sequestered in separate “Eating,” “Drinking,” and “Sleeping” sections.

So a fair amount of page flipping is required to:

1. Read up on a restaurant or hotel, and then

2. Pinpoint it on the appropriate map.

In addition, most LP guides feature an introductory chapter dedicated to the cuisine of the destination. Mexico City offers only a two-page overview at the beginning of the restaurant listings.

Not that I’m incapable of getting to discover the local dishes on my own terms, but a little more in the way of background information would’ve been helpful.

Details on transportation to and from destinations outside the city were also lacking. I frequently found myself yearning for a Mexico country map.

Other Features

The history chapter provides the usual comprehensive facts and timelines and is a useful prerequisite read. Mexico City is also equipped with a wealth of supplemental boxed text throughout.

Standard LP “Gay & Lesbian” content actually gets its own chapter in this edition (albeit a short one), which is worth noting.

The tear-out folding map is a neat addition and, while not perfect, certainly comes in handy.

Photo by DoctorWho

Another new feature is the “Itinerary Builder” table that precedes the neighborhood maps. It lists three sight, restaurant, bar/cafe, and shopping highlights for each district. While you’re likely to forgo the itinerary builder once you dig deeper into the book, it serves as a nice primer for planning outings.

Finally, in a nod to the current transitional state of travel guides, the inside back cover of the book boldly pronounces “THIS IS NOT THE END” and directs you to the new-and-improved LP website.

Overall Grade: A

While not without the occasional botched address, egregious typo, and outright misinformation that plague all guidebooks, Lonely Planet’s latest Mexico City offering gets two thumbs up from this traveler.

Despite the relatively low profile of cycle touring, prospective tourers are faced with a healthy dose of options when gearing up.

Photo by MuntyPix

Depending on your budget, you can go cheap or shoot for the stars. Described here is a mid-priced (well, maybe upper-mid-priced) touring rig, combining products made by U.S. and Canadian companies.

The Bike

Near the middle of the touring bike price range, the Trek 520 is an excellent choice for any serious tourer. Produced by America’s largest cycle manufacturer, the 520 carries with it a tried-and-true reputation for reliability on the road.

You’ll probably want to replace the stock rack, fenders, tires, and saddle with your own accessories, so make sure to factor these into the cost. Another issue is the 520’s road-bike gearing, which many tourers find too high; you might be able to persuade your local bike shop to swap cranksets for free before the purchase.

Price: $1,319.99 | BUY

Bicycle Touring 101 has a good article on one tourer’s comprehensive upgrade of a stock 520.

Remember, there’s no need to purchase the latest model. Step back in time a few years and you’ll get essentially the same machine for hundreds of dollars less.

The Racks

A good rack can go a long way towards ensuring a hassle-free a tour. You want something that’s able to bear the weight of your gear without flinching.

Regardless of the type of touring you’re doing, you need a rear rack. California-based Old Man Mountain’s Red Rock gets the job done with a load capacity of 60 lbs.

Price: $79.99 | BUY

For those heading out on a long-term, self-supported tour, pair this with the AC Lowrider front rack.

The Bags

The big debate when it comes to panniers—touring saddlebags—pits packing convenience against water resistance. For instance, top-loading panniers made by the ultra-popular Ortlieb are completely waterproof, but it can be difficult to get things in and out of their single compartments.

The bags featured here, made by Canadian manufacturer Arkel, strike a balance between the two extremes. The T-42 front-loading rear panniers feature multiple zippered pockets and are made from a water-resistant fabric. In heavy rain, though, you’ll need to stop and throw on the rain covers (purchased separately).

Price: $199.00 | BUY

A good complement if you need front panniers are the T-28s.

To expand your packing space even more, consider the Tailrider, which straps down snugly along the top of the rear rack. It’s not huge, but you’ll appreciate the added room, and its rain cover is built in.

Price: $109.00 | BUY

And no touring rig would be complete without a handlebar bag. For price and quality, you can’t beat the H-100 Alta from Lone Peak, a small company out of Utah whose top-notch customer service is reason enough for a purchase.

Price: $85.00 | BUY

TheTouringStore.com is an excellent retailer for all Lone Peak products.

Community Connection

Be sure to check out Hal’s supporting articles – How to Choose A Touring Bicycle and 8 Steps for Successful Self-Supported Bicycle Tours.