Bushnell Backtrack GPS

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Product: Bushnell Backtrack GPS. Reviewed by: Rich Ries. Cost: $77.49 to $79.49 MSRP depending on version and color; typically on sale for $50 to $65. Weight/Mass: 3.13 oz. / 89 g. with supplied lanyard and 2-AAA Duracell batteries. Batteries are not included with the unit. Dimensions: about 3 in. / 7.6 cm. diameter. Numeric display is about 3/8 in./9.5 mm high. Posted: May 2009. Recommended? Yes.

Executive Summary: Simple, inexpensive, and effective.

Ratings

(1 is lowest, 5 is highest)

Comments

Effectiveness

You may miss the mapping of higher-cost GPS units

Ease of Use

Easy even for technophobes; battery cover is a little frustrating

Cost/Value

One of the best sub-$100 investments you can make

Style

It ain't a fashion accessory

The Backtrack allows you to enter the location of three sites, such as your vehicle, campsite, and a point of interest, and then indicates the direction and distance to those sites. We use ours a lot and find it especially useful in two settings. One is when we arrive at an unsigned trail junction and want to know which way to go, which usually depends on whether we're heading out or trying to get back. The other is to mark a site so we can return with friends, or come back with a camera when the lighting is better, or whatever. Bushnell touts the Backtrack's utility in locating your car at the mall or stadium, but we tend to avoid those settings. Even so, the device doubtless has applications beyond what we use it for.

Although the Bushnell Web site calls the Backtrack a “GPS Navigation System,” that's stretching the definition as the Backtrack does not offer mapping. Chances are if you get really lost you'll be bushwhacking your way back to the truck or campsite or scenic overlook. But you will get back, and that's the beauty of the Backtrack.

We've been using ours for about a year and have yet to replace the batteries. Of course we don't leave it on as we hike or ride; we just reboot it when we need to get oriented. Satellite acquisition from a cold start takes maybe 20 seconds; a warm reboot is much quicker. Acquisition is influenced by conditions, but even under a heavy tree canopy startup time is never long.

The unit also functions as a digital compass. It expresses direction in degrees: north is 0 degrees; east is 90 degrees; south is 180 degrees; and west is 270 degrees. It's much more accurate than letter designations, such as E for east and NW for northwest, but it may pose a learning challenge for those accustomed to the letters. An arrow always points north.

Other features include backlighting so the unit can be used at night, an icon indicating when the Backtrack has locked onto satellite signals, and an icon for remaining battery life. The GPS receiver uses SiRF Star III technology to deliver excellent accuracy - accuracy of 2 or 3 meters, in our experience. Distances are indicated in miles with decimals and convert to yards when you're near your destination. The unit can display kilometers and meters, as well. Bushnell claims that the Backtrack is weather resistant. Ours has survived a few rain showers and some humid hikes, but we haven't accidentally trolled the lake with the lanyard hung on the oarlock yet.

Our only gripe is that the battery cover is a little difficult to remove. The entire back of the unit rotates about 3 degrees to unlock, but then getting the cover to actually drop free from the unit requires patience and finesse. Fortunately the batteries last a long time so this is an infrequent inconvenience.

We liked our first Backtrack so much we bought another. That way Julie Ries can take one unit hiking while Rich Ries takes the other mountain biking and they can both get back to camp. Although the Backtrack lacks the features of costlier GPS units (such as mapping and elevation and the ability to record your route), it offers the most useful features in a small, affordable, easy-to-use package.

Photos

The Backtrack's display is clear and easy to read and offers the essential information you need. In the upper left the battery icon shows full battery life remaining. To the right of that is an icon indicating that the Backtrack has locked onto its satellite signals. The numbers and unit of measure show that the car is 25.3 miles away (note the car icon under the numbers) and in the direction of the arrow at the 7 o'clock position.

The Backtrack also serves as a digital compass.

Here's the Backtrack in compass mode. The arrow at the 9 o'clock position is pointing north. The numerals show that we're heading 8 degrees north of due east. (Due east would be 090 degrees.)