There are a number of ways to use your GPS on your hiking or camping trip, both for preparation and on the trail itself.

With these three strategies you can venture into the wilderness secure in the knowledge that you will always have a safe and enjoyable time:

• Plan in advance. Certain GPS units, for example the Suunto X10 GPS Watch, let you merge your GPS map on your PC with one from Google or other map providers. In this way you can familiarize yourself with the track rather than just head out into the unknown. If you use Google Earth or a topo map to view your intended track, you will get a good feel for the terrain. This will put you in a better position to decide if this is an environment you want to explore, which areas to avoid, and where to set up camp.
• Keep your eye on the weather. With a barometer in your GPS you can tell what the weather might do before it happens. The Garmin Rino 530 HCx adds a connection to the NOAA weather radio service for even more predictability. When you are out in the open and far from home, it is important to be prepared for changes in the weather so you don’t get caught out.
• Track your time and distance. Hikers, runners, kayakers and cyclists alike like to know how long it took them to get from A to B, not least so they can work on improving their time. A handheld GPS device keeps track of your time and distance, even if you decide to take a side jaunt or a different route. The Garmin Edge 705 and many of the wrist-mounted models designed for runners also record your heart rate so you can keep an eye on your own fitness level too.

Find out more about GPS Units for Hiking.