"I'd like a really small external antenna to clip to my shoulder or top of my backpack, so my Garmin 76csx will keep a satellite lock while it is in my pocket. Something like a small lapel mike-sized doo hickey."


I used to wish for a two-part GPS unit, one part being a little button receiver that I can pin to my hat that communicates with the larger GPS piece via bluetooth (or some sort of wireless standard). Even better would be if the device could suck in and process data from multiple such (hopefully inexpensive) button receivers, one on my head, one on my wife's, etc. Would need to be separately powered, however (yet another little battery ...).

Less of an issue these days with better GPS technology, such as the SiRF Star III chipset. When hiking I keep my smartphone (my GPS) in a carry holster on my pack strap. I almost never keep it turned on (power budget), but the rare instances when I have it's maintained satellite lock that way just fine.


Brian Lewis
http://postholer.com/brianle