Big Air Software, LLC iTrailMap
This top-shelf GPS can pinch hit as a digital camera.
Brand: Big Air Software, LLC
Model: iTrailMap
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Make a better mousetrap. That’s what Garmin did when they combined their award-winning Oregon 400t (Editors’ Choice Award, April 2009) with a 3.2-megapixel camera, creating a top-shelf GPS that can pinch-hit as a point-and-shoot. As a result, our map contributors came back with more trail photos than usual, all geo-referenced to their exact location. And the whole thing is a cinch to use, thanks to a three-inch color touch screen and universal icons that even a non-GPS user can understand.
You can access preloaded terrain maps in 3D, save up to 200 tracks and 2,000 waypoints, and use the microSD slot to expand the unit’s 850MB memory. Camera caveat: The 4x digital zoom and autofocus lens are best suited to landscape (not action) photos, and the image quality is best for blogs (not wall art). Bonus: The price includes a battery charger and two rechargeable AAs (expect 10-12 hours of runtime). $600; 5.3 oz.; garmin.com
iTrailMap 3D provides three dimensional trail maps of over 750 ski/snowboard resorts worldwide. You can see where you are on the mountain, find powder stashes, see your elevation, and record your total distance and vert. You can also export your tracks as KML files for viewing in Google Earth. See www.bigairsoftware.com for more information and a list of supported resorts. If you don’t see your favorite resort, let us know and we’ll add it.