Garmin Geko 201 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Yellow)
by Garmin
(Click here)
Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: GarminBrand: Garmin
Edition: Electronics
Model: 010-00318-40
Color: Green
Publisher: Garmin
Studio: Garmin
Music Label: Garmin
Product features:
- Compact 12-channel GPS receiver with high-contrast display (100 x 64 pixels)
- WAAS-enabled for 3-meter accuracy
- Stores 500 waypoints and 20 routes with 125 waypoints per route
- Easy operation: five buttons for one-hand use
- 12-hour operation on 2 AAA batteries; includes serial PC interface
- Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Battery 8 Pack
- Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Batteries, 12 Pack
- Memorex High Performance AAA Alkaline Battery 4 Pack
- Sanyo Eneloop AAA NiMH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries (4 Pack)
- Case Logic GPSS-1 Neoprene sport GPS Case (Red)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Garmin Geko 201 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Yellow)
Customer Review: What it does, it does very well and it's fun
Summary: 5 Stars
Here's my recommendation in case you don't want to read the whole review: If you don't want or need extra functions, this is a capable basic GPS unit. And it is small enough there is no excuse to not bring it. Just remember to store you car's location *before* you start your hike...
Here's what it can do:
It gets positions quickly and in moderate tree cover. I can get a lock easily through a wood & asphalt composite roof, even WAAS information most of the time. Naturally, in trees where you cannot see landmarks is where you want a GPS unit to work, so I give this some weight. I have an older GPS that only works in situations where I don't really need it. The Gecko gets better reception that my Garmin Vista.
You can store and use waypoints, and tracks. I can easily tell one side of a 2 lane street from the other when looking at a track. The user interface for looking for waypoints (and the interface in general) seems pretty easy to use. Although the names of the way points have to be short.
It is small enough, fast enough, and accurate enough that I have considered (but not yet tried) to use it to store my car's location when at a shopping mall. My typical hiking use is to store my car's location when I start my hike. Then I use the unit to get distances and bearings from the car for navigation, since most paper park maps I get have the parking lot marked on them prominately. (Use the "goto" funtion to get the info.)
Battery life seems to be most of a day with non-rechargable batteries (2 AAA's). Carrying spares while hiking is light enough that I would do it just so I don't have to throw out partially good batteries to have a fresh set when I start. And I can change batteries during a hike since the memory is maintained during a battery change. Re-acquiring a lock is fast enough that it is fesible to leave the unit off when you're not using it.
I have a computer with a serial port and have been using the Garmin mapping software with it. Although you cannot load maps to it, you can load routes (of the point to point type, no road following here) and way points. It can be moderately useful in driving if used to remind you where, and in what direction to turn. But with no map it cannot help if you get lost other then to tell you where you need to be. You can also download waypoints and tracks to the computer to store them. But the software to do this costs about as much as the Gecko, so I give this little weight in my review.
Description of Garmin Geko 201 Waterproof Hiking GPS (Yellow)
With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows more waypoint and route storage, as well as available PC and external power connectivity, and built-in WAAS capability. In addition, the Geko 201 boasts a user-configurable trip computer and 10,000 trackpoints, as well as PanTrack? and TracBack« features. The Geko 201 also includes four fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one?s trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtua Maze.Amazon.com Product Description The Garmin Geko 201 is one of the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units on the market. This inexpensive unit has a sleek design and a simple operating system and is WAAS-enabled with an accuracy of 10 feet or less. With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows for ample waypoint and route storage, making it a perfect entry-level handheld GPS unit for basic navigation.
 Map page. View larger. |
 Compass display. View larger. |
 The Geko 201 packs easy-to-use GPS navigation into an affordable, handheld device. View larger. |
The Garmin Geko 201 has five keys located on the front of the unit for easy one-hand use that allows the user to quickly access all of the unit's functions. The Geko 201 has a 64 x 100 pixel, high-contrast display for easy viewing and is powered by only two AA batteries (not included) that can run for up to 12 hours. In addition, the Geko 201 boasts an upcoming-turn feature that alerts the user of the next turn within 15 seconds by bending the compass arrow in the direction of the next waypoint.
Not just a regular navigational aid, the Garmin Geko 201 also includes four fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one's trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtual Maze.
Designed with the user in mind, this Garmin GPS unit weighs a light 3.1 ounces with batteries, and measures a pocket-size 1.9 by 0.96 by 3.9 inches (W by D by H). The Geko 201 is waterproof to IPX7 standards, meaning it can be submerged down to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, and is rugged enough to endure the most trying use. And the Geko 201 provides that most critical of benefits--peace of mind. With the Geko 201 you will always know where you are, where you have been, and where you are going. And since you will always know the way back home, you can concentrate on what you set out to do--explore the outdoors.
What's in the Box
Geko 201 GPS receiver and manual.