Product review
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Garmin Geko 301

The Garmin Geko 301 is one of the smallest and lightest GPS navigation devices that still comes with plenty of features, decent memory capacity and is easy to use. The unit can't show maps, but it lets you plan your route, shows you the direction to the next waypoint, tracks you back where you came from and its non-GPS features, like magnetic compass and altimeter are useful functions as well.

Key features: We found the Garmin Geko 301 a valuable tool for showing us the direction, saving the traveled tracks and waypoints, measuring time, speed and altitude and keeping us on the route that we had planned on a computer and downloaded on the device.

The memory capacity of the unit is large enough for storing so many waypoints and routes that it may become difficult to manage them on the device. We recommend that you install a mapping software on your home computer that will help you to organize your waypoints, tracks and routes.

The functionality of the Garmin Geko 301 has been grouped into six screens: Satellite, Map, Navigation, Elevation, Trip Computer and Tools menu.

The Satellite screen shows you the number of GPS satellite signals Geko 301 can receive. The more signals it can pick up, the better the accuracy will be – typically we got an accuracy between 2 to 20 meters / 6 to 60 feet. The Map screen won't display maps for you, but it can display your track, route and nearby waypoints. Navigation screen displays the compass (GPS when you are moving and magnetic when stationary) and it shows you where to turn if you are following a route. The Elevation window displays altitude along with history information. The Trip Computer displays time, speed and average speed, and there's plenty of other information you can choose to view on this screen as well. The Tools Menu consists of route settings, waypoints, device settings, compass calibration and games.

You must scroll through the six screens one by one until you find the one you want to view. Then, you can open up a window that includes specific settings, or additional information, for a task. The black-and-white screen is readable in the sunlight. In the dark, you have to briefly push the power button to activate the background light. The buttons are small and rubbery, but work fine.

We like to save plenty of waypoints during our trips for future reference and for easier mapping on the computer. Saving a waypoint is easy and fast: you just press the OK button for a couple of seconds and the waypoint is saved. Labeling the waypoints, however, is painful: you have to go to the Tools Menu, find the waypoint and scroll through the list of letters and numbers for every letter in the new name (max 6 letters or numbers). Still, labeling the waypoints is highly recommended, because the default names are just numbers. If you are using a mapping software on your computer, you can label the waypoints using a keyboard and large screen and then download waypoints back to the device.

The battery lasts about a day's hike (depending on your physical condition, that is). We had approximately 6 hours of continuous use with two rechargeable AAA batteries, but Alkaline batteries should give you longer operation time. Garmin specifies battery life of up to 9 hours.

This GPS navigator is much more than a device for tracing the path you have traveled, or for measuring speed and distance. To fully exploit its capabilities, a GPS mapping software on a computer is an essential extra. Products like Garmin Mapsource, GPSU, or OziExplorer are a big help when you collect information from your trips and use the information and maps for planning new adventures. You need to acquire a serial cable that connects the Garmin Geko 301 and your computer. Check out that there is a serial port on your computer.

Who likes this product: Anyone who spends time on outdoors activities, such as hiking, cycling, or boating, that may take them to unfamiliar territories will find the Garmin Geko 301 a useful companion for navigation. Car drivers and motorcyclists can use the GPS unit to complement their traditional maps.

Style: The discreet, dark grey unit goes unnoticed when you want to check out the right direction even on a city street. It's the smallest GPS unit we have seen so far, and it easily slips into your shirt, vest, or jacket pocket.

Value for money: The Garmin Geko 301 is very good value when you want a small and light, yet feature-packed GPS unit.