Product Description

The colourful Gekos are the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units to hit the market. The Geko 201 is inexpensive and offers a sleek, thin design and a simple operating system. With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows more waypoint and route storage, as well as available PC and external power connectivity, and built-in WAAS capability. In addition, the Geko 201 boasts a user-configurable trip computer and 10,000 trackpoints, as well as PanTrack™ and TracBack® features.

The Geko 201 also includes four fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one's trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtua Maze.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12466 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Garmin
• Model: 010-00318-40
• Released on: 2003-08-14
• Dimensions: .0" h x .0" w x .0" l, .19 pounds

Manufacturer's Description
The Garmin Geko 201 is one of the smallest and lightest waterproof GPS units on the market. This inexpensive unit has a sleek design and a simple operating system and is WAAS-enabled with an accuracy of 10 feet or less. With its distinctive canopy-green case, the powerful Geko 201 allows for ample waypoint and route storage, making it a perfect entry-level handheld GPS unit for basic navigation.

Map page. View larger.

Compass display. View larger.

The Geko 201 packs easy-to-use GPS navigation into an affordable, handheld device. View larger.

The Garmin Geko 201 features a user-configurable trip computer with 500 user waypoints that allow up to 20 reversible routes, as well as an automatic track log with up to 10,000 trackpoints and 10 savable tracks that let you retrace your path in both directions. This unit also includes external ports that provide an external power connection and allow for PC connectivity--making it a breeze to upload software upgrades.

The Garmin Geko 201 has five keys located on the front of the unit for easy one-hand use that allows the user to quickly access all of the unit's functions. The Geko 201 has a 64 x 100 pixel, high-contrast display for easy viewing and is powered by only two AA batteries (not included) that can run for up to 12 hours. In addition, the Geko 201 boasts an upcoming-turn feature that alerts the user of the next turn within 15 seconds by bending the compass arrow in the direction of the next waypoint.

Not just a regular navigational aid, the Garmin Geko 201 also includes four fun, interactive games that transform the great outdoors into a virtual board game. Enjoy a good workout while chasing a virtual lizard in Geko Smak, match symbols in a grid version of Memory Race, navigate to reference points without crossing one's trail in Nibbons, and collect symbols along a path in Virtual Maze.

Designed with the user in mind, this Garmin GPS unit weighs a light 3.1 ounces with batteries, and measures a pocket-size 1.9 by 0.96 by 3.9 inches (W by D by H). The Geko 201 is waterproof to IPX7 standards, meaning it can be submerged down to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, and is rugged enough to endure the most trying use. And the Geko 201 provides that most critical of benefits--peace of mind. With the Geko 201 you will always know where you are, where you have been, and where you are going. And since you will always know the way back home, you can concentrate on what you set out to do--explore the outdoors.

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Customer Reviews

Good basic GPS for route planning, navigation and geocaching
The Gecko 201 is a midget GPS system, handy to take almost anywhere. It has slightly improved memory compared to the Garmin Etrex and has WAAS error correction for better accuracy.

There are two problems everyone talks about with the Geckos. The on-off button and battery life.

The on-off button used to have a habit of operating while the unit was in the ruck-sack or pocket meaning you either didn't record your track or you ran your batteries down. The newer models (including the one I bought in July 2005 from Amazon) don't seem to suffer from this problem. The button is not very pronounced and has a raised ring to protect it from being pressed accidentally.

Battery life is a problem with all GPS. With tiny AAA batteries you would imagine that the Gecko would be awful. However with a pair of 800mha NiMH you can between 6 to 8 hours continuous use in power save mode. Get a pack of 4 and a fast charger and all is well. From experience battery life really suffers in the cold - for example skiing and there is a tradeoff between keeping the GPS in a place where you get a good signal and keeping it warm.

If you want to use it on your bike (instead of a trip computer maybe?) there is a handlebar mount. This works well, even mountain biking but you have to unscrew the mount to get at the batteries which is a pain, especially as you will be changing them reguarly.

Reception is okay, except under dense trees when it gets a bit confused.

I would not consider the Gecko 101 - no computer interface. The Gecko 201 has pretty much everything you need in a basic GPS and can work with computer mapping software. The improve memory makes it a win over the similar Garmin Etrex, the only thing the Etrex brings is the possibility to use high capacity 2600mHa AA cells.

Really it is just the handlebar mount and shortish battery life that stop me giving this unit 5 starts.

very light, very accurate,
This is my first GPS reciever. Although i would not totally rely on a GPS, i carry a map and compass when walking.
I live in the lake district and walk on the fells in my spare time. I bought mine about twelve months ago, I had heard that it was prone to switching itself on in your pocket, i have not had this problem.I have used it to mark campsites as waypoints before setting off on a walk, have not been dissapointed with it. I started Geocaching to add a bit more fun. I found my first cache on tuesday last week, the Geko led me straight to it.
This is a very good GPS for walking. So far excellent for Geocaching. my average battery life with Alkaline is 10.5 hours. less with rechargeables.
Very good basic unit.

small, tough and reliable
Good reliable gps, accurate readings and a very handy size. It's pretty rugged and tough. My only concern is that, taking only AAA batteries it eats power therefore "be prepared" and take spares. Nothing fancy, just a good handy tool that does the job well.