Geomate.jr
© 2010 Groundspeak
Affordable, durable, but very hard to use, this handheld GPS receiver is designed to lead you to one of the 250,000 geocache locations that are pre-loaded into the device's memory. You can update the list with the included USB cable using an additional $25 kit. After you insert the two AAA batteries, you turn on the unit and go outside in order tune into the GPS satellites. You can then scroll the nearby geocaches using a menu system that none of our testers could figure out, even with the manual. The display shows compass heading, latitude and longitude as well as the ability to save your finds in memory. There are no subscription or service fees. The bottom line? Don't plan on giving this to a child without a good deal of support. But once it's logged onto a cache, it does a good job of walking you to the location. Get the free iPhone app instead.
$70, Smart Toy, Windows
Teaches: math, maps, geocaching
CTR Rating: 74%