Garmin Foretrex 201 – A lightweight GPS, perfect for hiking
The Foretrex 201 is a wearable Personal Navigator, perfect for outdoor and marine enthusiasts who desire hands-free GPS navigation in a lightweight, affordable package. At a mere 2.75 ounces, this waterproof wonder is lighter than most watches, and its wrist-top mount frees up hands for outdoor activities. Sporting an ergonomic wristband, the Garmin Foretrex 201 is similar in design to the Forerunner 201, yet is chocked full of GPS navigation features found in Garmin’s popular Geko 201 unit.
With a user-friendly interface, the rugged Garmin Foretrex 201 GPS hiking receiver simplifies navigation, making it ideal for the backcountry or water. Its six dedicated buttons (GoTo, Page, Enter/Mark, Up, Down and Power) make it easy to operate. It offers the most essential navigation data enhanced GPS accuracy, extensive storage for waypoints, and reversible routes and tracks on an easy-to-read display. Don’t worry about packing extra batteries, because the Foretrex 201 runs on an internal lithium battery for 15 hours (typical use). Simply recharge and go. 
The Garmin Foretrex 201 also comes equipped with special features sure to please mariners and hikers alike. It includes a unique application for sailing and paragliding racers that allows them to configure the start sequence of a race. The countdown is displayed in a large-number format that audibly alerts the user at each phase of the start sequence. With the help of Garmin’s exclusive TracBack technology, hikers can mark a campsite, go trekking all day, and follow the electronic “breadcrumb trail” back to camp in time for dinner.
It uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery, so you do not need to worry about the battery running down. It actually has a 15 hour battery life. The great thing about the Foretrex 201 is that it easily mounts on your wrist just like your wrist watch.
If you are in a party and the other party members have another Garmin Foretrex 201 GPS receiver, they can pinpoint your exact location. The screen shows a small dotted line, right to where you are. So they can always keep track of you. Plus if you were to get lost in your surrounding all you have to do is to use the TracBack feature that is always there and the screen will show you the way back to your beginning.
It is programmable, ( up to 500 locations can be added) so you can input your favorite waypoints and other points of interest. It can not only connect to your computer, using a serial cable. It has a trip computer already built in. This trip computer allows you to input all the current fishing and hunting maps that are available online, and if you are further away than the location on the map, other Garmin Handheld GPS systems will still pick up your location. You can also input the location of your camp and where your vehicle is parked.
If you are in a competition of some kind, you can set the timer to count down. The screen has a large number display which is great for looking at any data with a quick glance. The waterproof Garmin Foretrex 201 is tough to beat, and a must have on any type of outing. However, it does not float. It has a high sensitivity receiver, so you should have no trouble at all picking up other party members.
