Entries filed under 'GPS'

Shopping for a GPS Receiver? New REI Video Explains the Basics

Handheld GPS receivers are popular tools, but using one correctly can be tricky if you're just starting out. This new REI Expert Advice video features REI Outdoor School instructor Steve Wood, who aims to demystify the use of a GPS by explaining a receiver's 4 basic functions. Whether you're shopping for a handheld GPS receiver or are not fully grasping the one you already have, check out Steve's overview. A geocaching enthusiast from the San Francisco Bay Area, Steve has visited thousands of ...

Posted by Steve T on October 20, 2011 1:46 PM & Tagged GPS, Geocaching, Hiking, REI Expert Advice, REI Outdoor School, Steve wood and video | permalink | Comments



How GPS Savvy Are You? Take Our GPS Quiz and Find Out

Just for fun, some gearheads here at REI put together a little GPS quiz to test your knowledge of these amazing handheld units and a few related devices such as satellite text messengers and personal locator beacons (PLBs). Fair warning: Among the 10 questions there are a few tricky ones, so don't assume that you'll ace this quiz! (If you do ace it, congratulations!) Be sure to post your GPS quiz results to your Facebook page or email it to your friends. If this quiz proves popular, we'll look ...

Posted by Steve T on August 1, 2011 2:36 PM & Tagged GPS, gps quiz, gps receivers, personal locator beacons, smartphone and spot satellite text messenger | permalink | Comments



My First Time Geocaching: Tips to Get You Started

Have you tried geocaching yet? My first foray into the activity was on a summer vacation with extended family. I leveraged the mutual enthusiasm of a sister-in-law as a springboard to recruit 4 other family members—including 3 kids—to head out on our first "electronic treasure hunt". With 2 GPS devices in hand, we headed out on a community beach trail. I'd done my homework beforehand, signing up for a free account at geocaching.com and locating caches near the cabin where we'd be vacationing. ...

Posted by NikkiS on May 17, 2011 3:42 PM & Tagged GPS, Geocaching, Hiking, beach, geocache and trail | permalink | Comments



Electronic Signaling Devices: Best Friend or Worst Enemy?

The desire of backcountry travelers to be in constant contact with “the outside world” is by no means a new notion. Slightly more novel is the use of an electronic signaling device. A quick search on the Internet reveals hundreds of articles and a variety of products (REI's selection of emergency electronics includes personal locator beacons and satellite messengers). So to focus the beam a little bit, I will consider one specific product I have used. This is by no means an endorsement. My goal ...

Posted by Brian_WMI on October 26, 2010 4:21 PM & Tagged GPS, PLBs, SAR, Search and Rescue, WMI, electronic signaling device, personal locator beacons and spot satellite messenger | permalink | Comments



Have You Been Caught Unprepared Outside?

A recent article in the Sunday New York Times shared a much too-often occurrence happening in our public lands—people venturing off into natural places without the knowledge or skill to take care of themselves.  Some eye-opening examples: placing babies on wild animals for pictures, attempting to climb mountains without provisions (water, food, clothing, etc), or doing activities with the assumption that technology will help you. Unfortunately, many people have an unrealistic understanding of ...

Posted by RebeccaB on September 3, 2010 12:29 PM & Tagged GPS, REI Outdoor School, emergency locator beacon and technology | permalink | Comments