Garmin Geko GPS Review
Over the past couple of years the entry level Garmin GPS Receiver was the Garmin eTrex (yellow), but Garmin have now created a complete range of new GPS Receivers named the Geko. Yep, you guessed it, named after that cute little lizard! The Geko is one of the smallest lizards on the Earth, and Garmin have matched that with the smallest possible handheld GPS Receiver, but it still packs a punch.
Garmin have created three different Geko models, namely the Geko 101, Geko 201 and Geko 301. The Geko 101 is now the entry level Garmin GPS Receiver. Followed by the Geko 201 which has better support for Waypoints, Tracks and includes WAAS capability. The Geko 301 includes everything the Geko 101 and 201 has, but also couples this with a reliable Electronic Compass and a Barometric Altimeter which are usually only found in the most expensive of Garmin handheld GPS Receivers.
The beauty of the Geko is it's so small. If you think an eTrex is small and about the size of a normal mobile phone, then you'll be amazed at how small the Geko is! The Geko range comes with a very small 0.92" x 1.44" screen (now that is small!) but does support up to 64 x 100 pixels and all three models are completely waterproof to IPX7 standards.
Battery Source
The three Geko's operate on two AAA batteries (not included), which are installed at the back of the Geko. To install the batteries, remove the battery cover by inserting a coin in the bottom slot. Twist the coin to lift the cover up and pull away. Insert the batteries, observing proper polarity. Attach the battery cover by inserting the square end into the back slot at an angle, laying it flat, and then pushing it forward until the clip catches. Alkaline batteries should last as long as 12 hours. Rechargeable Alkaline, NiMh, NiCad or Lithium batteries may be used, but cannot be charged in the Geko's!
Buttons
All buttons are on the front face of the Geko making it easy to use with one hand, great for when you're climbing or hiking and really cannot afford to use two hands to operate a GPS. The Geko sports 5 buttons which include Power ON/OFF, Up, Down, OK and Page.
Interface
The entry level Geko 101 does not have an interface port, so you cannot link this to a PC to download trips and waypoints. You can however on the Geko 201 and 301, so if you are looking to use the facility make sure you discard the Geko 101 from your selection.
Screens
The Geko's come with a variety of screens from a Satellite screen showing how many satellites you have a fix on, a Map screen to show your waypoints and track information, Navigation screen to show a compass and position to your next waypoint and also the main menu screen.
Mapping Screen
The map screen shows your exact position in relation to other objects.
These objects are waypoints that you can create, edit and delete. This allows you to go off for a walk in the forest, or walk a fell and place various marker points at locations of interest, name these how you want, and you can then see your position in relation to these marker points or waypoints.
You can also see the track you took on screen which shows a bread crumb trail, and with Garmin's Track Back feature, you can then re-trace your steps either from start to finish or in reverse which can help to get back to your start point, or to even find your car!
Games (Geko 201 / 301)
The Geko 201 and 301 includes four GPS based games.
- Geko Smak - Move toward the Geko image on screen until you are directly over it and then press a key on the Geko to smak it.
- Memory Race - Under ever treasure chest you will find a tile, each tile has an exact match hidden elsewhere on the grid. Move to each square on the virtual board and uncover them.
- Virtua Maze - You will be placed in a virtual maze, navigate the maze and pick up the flags.
- Nibbons - Gather numbers on the virtual playing field as they appear on screen.
Technical Specification / Model Comparison
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Garmin Geko 101 |
Garmin Geko 201 |
Garmin Geko 301 |
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| Games Included | No | 4 | 4 |
| Basemap | No | No | No |
| Waypoints | 250 | 500 | 500 |
| Tracks | 3000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| Trip Computer | Current Speed Average Speed Resetable Max Speed Trip Timer Trip Distance |
Current Speed Average Speed Sunrise/sunset Time Resetable Max Speed Trip Timer Trip Distance |
Current Speed Average Speed Sunrise/sunset Time Resetable Max Speed Trip Timer Trip Distance |
| Tables | World Time Zones | World Time Zones | World Time Zones |
| Map Datums | 18 | 100, 1 User | 100, 1 User |
| GPS Receiver | 12 Channel | 12 Channel | 12 Channel |
| Acquisition Time: Warm | 15s | 15s | 15s |
| Acquisition Time: Cold | 45s | 45s | 45s |
| Acquisition Time: AutoLocate | 5m | 5m | 5m |
| Update Rate | 1 Second Cont. | 1 Second Cont. | 1 Second Cont. |
| GPS Accuracy | <15m | <15m | <15m |
| DGPS/WAAS/EGNOS | No | Yes | Yes |
| WAAS Accuracy | N/A | <3m | <3m |
| Interface | N/A | RS232 NMEA 0183 RTCM 104 DGPS Garmin |
RS232 NMEA 0183 RTCM 104 DGPS Garmin |
| Batteries | 2xAAA's Not Included |
2xAAA's Not Included |
2xAAA's Not Included |
| Battery Life | Up to 12 Hours | Up to 12 Hours | Up to 12 Hours |
| Weight | 3.1 oz | 3.1 oz | 3.4 oz |
| Display Size | 0.92" W x 1.44" H | 0.92" W x 1.44" H | 0.92" W x 1.44" H |
| Display Resolution | 64 x 100 | 64 x 100 | 64 x 100 |
| Backlit Display | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Antenna | Patch | Patch | Patch |
| Additional Memory | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Support Garmin MapSource CD's | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Waterproof | Yes, IPX7 | Yes, IPX7 | Yes, IPX7 |
| Temperature Range | -15ºC to 70ºC | -15ºC to 70ºC | -15ºC to 70ºC |
| Electronic Compass | No | No | Yes |
| Barometric Altimeter | No | No | Yes |
Geko's Reliability and Resilience
The Geko range are not only small and affordable, but they're great for taking on trekking adventures. Whether you like to do a little fell walking, a casual or brisk walk out in the forest, or prefer to climb rocks and mountains, or even take a nice gentle row across a lake, the Geko range will support you in all weather conditions with it's IPX7 waterproof rating.
The Garmin Geko 101, 201 and 301 will be ideal for each of these situations. Allowing you to track yourself, create waypoints and with the Geko 201 and 301 you can then save the track and plot this against a map when you're back in the comfort of your own home to a PC!
