Garmin Geko 201 Handheld GPS Receiver

Pros: Small, has many features like best fishing time
Cons: Turns on too easily, doesn't work in the forest

I got a Garmin Geko 201 in May 2003. I enjoy the features it has but it has some problematic limitations also. First the limitations. NICad batteries don't last long, maybe 4 hours. Alkaline batteries last about 8 hours of continuous operation. Also, the ...

Pros: Small, light, easy to use, inexpensive
Cons: No base map, short battery life, low res screen

I hardly go outdoors (in the wilderness I mean). I don’t go camping. And I haven’t gone fishing since I was 10. So, why would a guy like me get a GPS unit? I do a lot of traveling for work and find it really cool to mark off places where I have been. ...

Pros: Tons of features for the price! Sturdy, waterproof case. WAAS Enabled!
Cons: Cannot download maps to it, cannot pan in map mode

I have been waiting for several years to purchase a handheld GPS device. I finally purchased one la ...

Pros: Lightest handheld GPS, easy to learn, the essential features, love the trip computer screen
Cons: Short battery life especially w/ NiMh, expensive accessories

I’ve used this a lot for hiking, XC skiing, backpacking, kayaking, driving & bicycling. It has worked well even in moderately dense NW forests. When combined with mapping software, it makes all sorts of route finding much easier. Logging ...

Pros: Size, WAAS capability
Cons: Power switch that randomly turns unit under normal use

The primary problem with the Geko 201 is the overly sensitive power button, which randomly turns the ...

Pros: Tiny size, extreme ease of use, great basic navigation.
Cons: Battery life is not very good.

The Garmin Gecko 201 is one small device that everyone can benefit from. It is great for hikers, bikers, walkers, driving, flying, and any outdoor pursuit. The unit is tiny and very easy to operate. It is a great primary GPS device or if you have more ...

Pros: Size, price, accuracy, seems to be built tough.
Cons: Power button, but it can be "worked around".

I haven't had a chance to try it in "deep woods" yet, but it works in the car and most of the time even in the house. Can't imagine it having trouble under a few trees. Acquires fast, seems to be accurate. Shows 10 ft EPE often. Satisfied customer here. I bought a nine dollar cell phone case to keep it in when I'm not using it. It's a stiff leather case that will not allow the power button to inadvertently be activated.

Pros: Tiny, easy to carry
Cons: Power button design is poor and unit will turn on and drain batteries.

This would be a good GPS for geocaching except that it has a fatal design/firmware problem with the power switch.

If you carry this in your coat or pants pocket, its a sure thing that the unit will power up all by itself, drain the batteries, and leave you high and dry.

I suggested to Garmin that they change the firmware so that if the unit powers itself up and the power button isn't still depressed after 2 seconds, then it powers itself back down. That would at least keep the unit from powering up from a single jostle of the power button like it does right now.

I would not buy this unit until Garmin makes changes to the firmware to fix the power button problem. You will get very frustrated by it as it is right now.

Pros: Cost, SIZE, cool green color, easy to use
Cons: Can't think of any

I almost didn't buy this one because of the bad reviews about the power button. But, I did anyway. To fix that problem I just made a case for mine out of a Eye Glasses case padded with foam. I've only had mine for a couple of weeks, but I love it. I was in deep woods today and had no reception problems (it is winter though, no leaves). I would reccommend it to anyone, if you make a good hard case to carry it in.

In WAAS mode I regularly get accuracy readings of 14 to 16 ft!
And I got mine for $108 @ ecost.com