I got a GPS unit years ago, but it was so clunky to use that I never used it. I now have a Garmin Oregon 600, and have used it a few times.
On the Half Dome trail, I was able to pinpoint a spring that is noted on old topo maps, and then went to find it. I also found a nice shortcut route that I could follow that avoided too much brush. I actually created the route with the online gmap4 website, downloaded the route to the unit, and then could follow it while on the hike.
I did something similar with a mountain bike trip.
However, I use the thing so little, and the menus in the unit have SO many options, that it is hard to learn to use. I really consider myself a novice at it.
Garmin has a computer-based app, Garmin Base Camp, that lets you work on a large screen with routes, and it can be used to upload and download tracks (or is it routes).
Oh yeah, and the other thing: If you want a decent topo map to display on your unit, you have to buy the separate CD of maps. I think mine cost about $100. The unit's memory can't hold everything in the CD, so it lets you identify and load sections of maps via the Base Camp software.
You need to give yourself time to learn to use the unit. Good luck!
