Top row (l. to r.): Magellan eXplorist 200, Garmin GPS 76, the Brunton Multi-Navigator, and the Cobra GPS 100; bottom row (l. to r.): Garmin eTrex, Garmin Geko 301, Garmin Fortrex 201, Magellan SporTrak Pro Marine, along with a prototype of Garmin's GPS 60, which we will report on in a future issue.

Today, inexpensive handheld GPS receivers are marketed to a wide-range of users, not just boaters. Most carry generic software of little specific value to mariners. Even marine designations are more marketing than content it seems. Still they do one thing very well and that is track GPS satellites.

For the mariner, they can serve as a viable backup to a permanently installed onboard navigation system, with a sextant safely on board, but tucked away. Accurate position, speed, and course information supplied by a handheld GPS used in conjunction with paper charts should be all any boater needs to complete a long, planned voyage. When so equipped, these devices also do well…