If you travel a lot using several different modes of transportation then you probably are looking for a handheld GPS to help you find your way. Locating a source of discount handheld GPS units can be a problem. Being just a little bit bigger than a standard cell phone, handheld GPS receivers offer the ability to navigate to any location on earth. When not in use you can put in its holster ready for the next use.

A quality handheld GPS unit can range from less than $100 to as high as $2,000. A good quality unit with the best features will cost you about $500.00.

Manufactures that commonly offer handheld GPS systems include Cobra, Magellan, Garmin, Lowrance and Bushnell. Lowrance offers the best prices for handheld GPS systems that contain monochrome coloring. Their cheapest model is only $63.99, however we do not recommend buying a gray scale or black and white display.

Unfortunately, Lowrance is not the best choice when it comes to colorized GPS handhelds, as their prices, (which can be over $1,000) are almost expensive as more well-known Garmin or Magellan brands. For colorized handheld GPS, it is best to go with Cobra, (with their cheapest colorized unit costing only $922) and Bushnell, (whose cheapest colorized unit costs only $500). Bushnell is a new manufacture of GPS. However they offer unique GPS aerial photo mapping and weather tracking features.

Where can one buy a handheld GPS systems at a discount price?

http://Amazon.com is one place that offers dozens of discounts on various brands of handheld GPS systems. Some of their handheld GPS systems are offered at a reduction rate as high as 41%. Others are discounted through special rebates. If this is not enough of a discount, one can try an online auction site. Since sellers on most auction sites are not professional vendors like Amazon. Usually they are just selling their used personal units allowing them to offer more in terms of price negotiation. It is not uncommon to buy discount handheld GPS systems at hundreds even thousands below retail price when purchasing from online auction sites.

Manufactures that market a large number discount handheld GPS receivers are: Cobra, Lowrance and Bushnell. These and other brands can be purchased from sites like http://Amazon.com or online auctions. Doing your homework and searching carefully you should not have any excuse for buying an overpriced handheld GPS system. Initially it might seem nice to get the most expensive, most popular brand-name handheld GPS available. However,if you can get all the features they need from a discount GPS system.

The bottom line is that discount handheld GPS systems will function in the manner and have most of the same features as any retail priced handheld GPS receiver. A good handheld GPS receiver is a great travel necessity that will open the whole world to you, don’t leave home without it.

The Niagara Region is known for its breathtaking scenery, award winning wineries and world class Shaw Festival Theatre in Niagara on the Lake. But now it has even more excitement to offer tourists – a diverse array of challenging geocaches.

Today, the entire Niagara Region is absolutely filled with outdoor adventure – all you need is a consumer brand GPS device, keen eyesight, and a decent pair of hiking boots.What is Geocaching?

Geocaching is a fun 21st century treasure hunt where Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates are targeted to find buried caches of collectible goodies. The caches are hidden in Tupperware containers, empty peanut butter jars, or steel ammunition boxes.

Each geocache is an accumulation of rare and valuable geocoins, local pins, buttons and other traceable artifacts. It’s thrilling, especially if you set up an ‘amazing race’ with friends and family members to see who can find the booty first.

One international geocaching website binds the entire community together with remarkable unity. On this one site, ALL geocaches in ALL countries are listed, along with their coordinates and any hints you may need to find the booty. Best of all, membership is free. Register to follow the links below.

The Niagara Falls Urban Oasis geocache was created to accommodate the newbie to the sport; it requires an easy walk through a woodland park within a residential subdivision. The trail is well maintained, although the park itself is relatively small. This cache is easy find, hidden in a very traditional geocaching spot.

The Fort George Cache is more interesting, and it’s also easy to find. If you visit the website and read about this adventure you’ll find a strange history lesson. This cache’s progenitor, a user named Lakeport, has penned an entire history of Fort George, right off the top of his head. Such is the passion of geocachers for geocaching in this culturally rich region.

One of the most spectacular targets in the area is of course the infamous Niagara Virtual geocache, which combines with two other waterfall caches, Victoria Falls, Zambia and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in another related online attraction. Geocachers are citizens of the world.

A word to the wise, you should bring a rain jacket if you plan to visit this cache.

There is also a website disclaimer here to inform readers that in the winter months it may not be safe as “the logical access point to this cache may be chained off (final steps to the cache may be slippery). Some cache seekers duck under the chain to find the cache, but do your own assessment of this and if you feel that it is unsafe then do not proceed.”Down the Canadian Gorge can be found somewhere on the trail leading down to the Niagara River. This cache is located on the Canadian side of the Niagara Gorge at the bottom near the whirlpool. Again there is a warning here that the terrain can be very slippery, muddy, and dangerous at times… but it’s worth it; the container full of great geocache items.

Finally the Toiypygmcela Tevral Bug Htoel is probably the most challenging geocache in the entire Niagara Region. Take note it contains a Bee-ware geocoin which I suspect might also be a warning to watch for live bees.

Typoglycemia is the informal name given to a purported recent discovery of the cognitive processes behind reading written text. Years ago, researchers at Cambridge University discovered that the human brain can comprehend words in context when only the first and the last letters are correct.

The clever geocacher that created this cache has challenged the membership to follow this logic and interpret the co-ordinates N40 59.398 W70 91.952 where only the first and last numbers are accurate.Ontario Geocoins

As geocaching grows more popular, geocoins grow more valuable. Limited issue, traceable, geocoins in particular are attracting the attention of online collectors, and tourism promoters. First understand that a ‘geocoin’ is a special coin created by individuals or groups of geocachers as a kind of signature item or calling card. The pictures that accompany this article are images of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 official Ontario Geocoins, the first to be issued by the Province of Ontario. Each geocoin is assigned a unique tracking ID which allows them to travel from geocache to geocache or to be passed amongst friends, picking up stories along the way. There are no collectible Niagara Falls Canada geocoins yet, but rumors of immanent issue persist, as the Niagara Falls NY geocoins are already hot property.

The first step to choosing a unit is looking at all of the different categories that are available. The six basic categories of units are automotive, handheld, PDA, laptop, aviation and marine. The most important thing you need to do is decide which one you need based on where and when you are going to use it.

Basic handheld GPS units are generally less expensive and can even be as low as one hundred dollars. They are just as accurate as the more expensive handheld units, but they do not have as many specialized features. Most basic handheld GPS units have or can display your location, usually in the format of your choice, a compass heading, the elevation above sea level, the accurate time, typically in both twelve and twenty four hour formats, satellite location and signal strength, the ability to calculate the distance traveled, the ability to record your path as a set of waypoints, the ability to navigate routes, and the ability to retrace your steps. The main thing you will find in the most advanced handheld GPS units that you will not find with a basic one is the mapping capabilities.

Handheld units are great because they can vary so much in size, which makes them very easy to customize them for whatever your needs may be. Some of the smallest ones are as tiny as a basic cell phone and this can make them very easy to travel with you, whether you are walking around a new town or camping on a backpacking trip. Also, handheld GPS units are completely self contained, which means that there are no external attachments. However there are some exceptions like the ones that have receivers that run on external power, like from a car. Also, some units have are built with a jack for an optional external antennae and other units can be connected to a laptop or a PDA for expanded uses.

There is another group of units known as handheld mapping GPS receivers. These units display maps that are pre loaded onto the device, but have been uploaded from a PC. These units are typically larger than the ones that do not have mapping capabilities, but they are still fairly inexpensive. Regardless of which one of the handheld GPS units you choose, you will be happy that you got one, especially the first time you find yourself lost in the woods.

Muchmor Canada Magazine decided to take a look at the phenomenon of Geocaching and how you can get involved and make exploring your country even more exciting.

So, what is Geocaching?  Put simply, Geocaching is a game of treasure hunting or hide and seek. All over the world individuals and companies hide caches and then share the location on the Internet and invite other Geocachers to find them using GPS devices.

Some caches can be found quite easily, whereas others require significant hikes and map reading skills. There are puzzle caches that require you to solve clues in order to find the cache and multi-caches, which involve finding several caches before finding the final location. At the time of publication there were over 30,000 Geocaches in Canada and these are added to every day.

This type of treasure hunting makes it fun to explore your surrounding and makes for a great family trip.

What is a cache?

There are many different types of cache to find and the size and contents vary. Smaller caches can be the size of a 35mm film container and contain only a logbook and pencil to register who finds it and when. Other caches can be the size of large buckets or plastic containers with several items inside such as CD’s, money, books, maps, games, in fact anything that is not illegal or dangerous.When you find a cache you should enter your details in the logbook and if items are included you should take one and replace it with something of equal or greater value.

Where are caches usually located?

The location of the cache is what makes Geocaching interesting. Some are located in easily accessible areas such as at the side of a road, in a local park, cemetery or even in the middle of a town centre. However the more interesting cashes can be placed in very remote locations and may require special equipment in order to find them. Examples include caches hidden underwater that can only be accessed by scuba divers, ones located on rocky cliffs, accessible by rock climbers etc.

How do I find the cache?

When someone sets up a cache they submit the location details (waypoint) on the Geocaching website. They will also give other clues such as if it is a box or bag and its size, so you know roughly what you are looking for. They may also give you practical information like, “you might need Wellingtons” or  “it is in a very public area”. There will also be details regarding the difficulty and terrain, so you can search only for caches that suit your ability. When you decide which cache to search for, you input the co-ordinates (waypoint) in your GPS device and away you go.

What is a GPS Device?

A GPS (Global Positioning System) unit is an electronic device that can determine your approximate location (within around 6-20 feet) anywhere on the planet, much like a satellite navigation system found in many vehicles.  Coordinates are normally given in Longitude and Latitude. You can use the unit to navigate from your current location to another location. Some units have their own maps, built-in electronic compasses, voice navigation, depending on the complexity of the device. You don’t need to know all the technical details about GPS units to play Geocaching. All you need to do is be able to enter the waypoint where the Geocache is hidden.

How do I buy a GPS unit?

You can purchase GPS units from many places on the Internet as well as camping stores and other supply stores. The costs vary depending on the type of device you purchase and where you buy them. Units start at around $100 CAD and can be as much as $1,000.The GPS unit you choose should be easy to use and durable. Some GPS units come with certain functions and accessories and others require you to but additional software etc.As a guideline, you should consider purchasing a GPS with the following functions:12 parallel channels, external antenna jack, in/out ports, NMEA compatible, at least 8 megabytes of memory, memory card acceptable, adaptable power sources i.e. cigarette lighter cable, solar charger, rocker keypad, large screen and waterproof. Some GPS units have colour screens and although these can be useful they are not essential to Geocaching and the colour screen will use up batteries much quicker than a black and white.

Getting Started

So, now we have you interested here is what you need to do. Go to the Geocaching website at http://www.geocaching.com/ here you can find out all sorts of information about your new hobby including help and advice, forums etc. Before you start you should purchase your GPS unit and a map of the area, preferably a topographical map, which shows land features such as hills and rivers etc., these can be purchased at camping stores or off the Internet. You might also want a compass and of course make sure you are equipped clothing wise. You should also have items ready that you can leave in the cache in place of the ones you remove. These can be anything from key rings, to CD’s, jewelery to cameras.

On the Geocaching website you can locate one or several caches in the area you are concentrating on. You can search by postcode, province etc. Study the information given carefully and look at the results of other people who have found the cache. They might give you some clues, which will make finding the cache easier.Next you need to use your GPS and input the waypoint and off you go. Once you find the cache, remember to sign the logbook and enter any additional information such as how easy it was to find, what fun it was etc. If there are items in the cache take one and replace it with something of equal or greater value. Never move the cache from its original position and always replace leaves, rocks etc if they were there before.

You can log your find on the Geocaching website and also email the person who hid the cache to let them know you found it. Safety FirstRemember to always let someone know where you are going and if at all possible never travel alone. Make sure you have adequate clothing, food, water etc and that you have spare batteries for your GPS. When you leave your vehicle at a cache point it is worth entering the waypoint into your GPS so that you can find your vehicle after you have found your cache.

Next?

Once you get into Geocaching you can start to leave your own caches for others to find.  You can also attend Geocaching events and start to extend your search to other locations and even other countries. You can purchase trackable items to leave in caches such as Geocoins and Travel Bugs. As people transfer then from cache to cache you can track them on the Geocaching website so you can see how far your item has travelled – you might be surprised. There are many different kinds of cache, so you might want to track certain types such as puzzle caches where you have to solve clues in order to locate the cache, or you might want to track only caches that contain Travel Bugs.

The scope of Geocaching is endless and new variations to the game are always being invented. One thing is for sure, once you get the Geocaching bug it will be very had to travel anywhere without first checking to see what caches lie nearby for your to find.Number of caches in Canada Alberta: 3,037British Columbia: 5,483Manitoba: 1,074New Brunswick: 3,149Newfoundland and Labrador: 875Northwest Territories: 40Nova Scotia: 2,919Nunavut: 17Ontario: 6,926Prince Edward Island: 267Quebec: 6,279Saskatchewan: 518Yukon Territory: 64Total: 30,648If you are travelling, there are thousands of caches all over the world:United Kingdom: 17,428Australia: 9,908France: 2,149Germany: 31,322New Zealand: 2,868South Africa: 1,701

Publiched in muchmor canada magazine www.readmuchmor.com