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Garmin eTrex Venture HC is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. Despite of a low price tag, this satellite navigation system is housed with plenty of features that can truly guide you through any deep canyons and heavy covers.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC handheld GPS measures 2.2 inches wide, 4.2 inches high and 1.2 inches thick. It weighs around 156 grams. The yellow chassis gives eTrex Venture HC an attractive look. But, it is a little bulky to hold in hand. The buttons are positioned on the either sides of the system. This enables the user to operate this Garmin GPS system with single hand. Besides, the front side of the unit becomes solely dedicated to the display due to this. The buttons are large and comfortable to press.

The display of Garmin eTrex Venture HC Satellite Navigation System is colour TFT. With a resolution of 176 X 220 pixels and a support of 256K colours, this display provides a vivid view of the routes and maps. It is comfortable to view under heavy sunlight as well.

Since, Garmin eTrex Venture HC GPS System is equipped with a WAAS-enabled GPS receiver, it locates position almost instantaneously. There is a 24MB internal storage for the device. Unfortunately, the memory is not expandable. However, you can load around 10 tracks, 50 routes, 500 waypoints and map details to it, using a USB cable.

Garmin eTrex Venture HC handheld GPS is waterproof and can withstand an accidental dunk in the water. Some outdoor GPS games, fish calendar, and sun and moon information are the other additions in this Garmin GPS. Several features such as barometric altimeter, automatic re-routing, electronic compass, touch-screen and so on are not found in this. However, you cannot be expected these in a cheap GPS system. The battery of Garmin eTrex Venture HC stands for a time of 14 hours on a single charge.

Overall, Garmin eTrex Venture HC Waterproof Handheld GPS is a budget friendly choice, with some positives such as built-in maps and quality screen.
Source: satellitenavigation.org.uk

Garmin Geko 301 handheld GPS is a general purpose handheld GPS, suitable for anyone who wish to spend time outside. With a dimension of 1.9 inches X 3.9 inches X 0.96 inches and a weight of 65.2 grams, this satellite navigation device is one of the smallest and lightest GPS navigation systems available. However, it manages to incorporate many features including planning routes, barometric altimeter, electronic compass, waypoint saving, decent memory and so on, within its small chassis.

The functionality of Garmin Geko 301 GPS System is categorized under six screens, including satellite, map, navigation, elevation, tool menu and trip computer. The satellite screen shows you the GPS signal the system receives. The map screen cannot show you the maps, but it can display the track, the route and the nearby way points.

When the navigation screen exhibits the direction you head towards, the elevation screen will display the altitude. The trip computer screen is to display the time and speed. The final screen, the tool menu contains the settings for the routes, games, waypoints and compass adjustments. You can scroll through these six screens, and the choose the one you require. The display of Geko 301 is black and white LCD, but it is sunlight readable.

Garmin Geko 301 GPS Navigation System will surprise you with a good memory. It can store up to 500 waypoints, 20 route and 10 tracks. Saving the waypoints are pretty easy in this GPS system. You just need to press the OK button for a couple of times. The buttons of this Garmin GPS unit are small, yet comfortable to use. The waypoints get saved as numbers, but you can label them by going into the tools menu screen. This is a bit strenuous to do. The maximum number of letters allowed is just six.

You can plan the routes or label the waypoints from your PC, and later transfer these to Garmin Geko 301. The interface is a serial port. Furthermore, the device is waterproof and hence, it can withstand some hard climatic situations like small down pour. Even though Garmin claims the battery life of Garmin Geko 301 to be nine hours, you can get till a maximum of seven hours. Also, there are some games pre-installed in it, for you to enjoy while on the move.

Overall, Garmin Geko 301 Waterproof Handheld GPS is a considerable choice for those people, who involve in activities such as cycling, hiking or boating. You can accommodate it into your pocket easily. With these many features, Geko 301 is a worthy buy, at a cheap price tag.
Source: satellitenavigation.org.uk

Ilam ( Persian: ایلام, Kurdish: ئیلام) is the capital of Ilam Province in western Iran. It is located in the west of Iran at a latitude of 33º 38´ north and longitude of 46º 26´ east. The Kabir Kuh mountain range lies east of the city. From the west it borders Iraq and had an estimated population of 168,478 in 2005 predominantly inhabited by Feyli Kurds.

Ilam is situated in the cold mountainous region of Iran at a height of 1319 m above the mean sea level. Although this city is surrounded by mountains, its climate is also affected by deserts from the west and the south. This region presents a highly variable annual weather profile. Heavy showers or heavy snow in the winter and dusty, hot, dry weather in the summer are normal for this region.

The name Ilam usually conjures up images of war, destruction and poverty. Ilam bore the brunt of the Iraqi attacks during the eight years of the Iran-Iraq war. But if you visit Ilam, what attracts your attention more than the scars of war and depravation is its unspoilt natural scenery and a profusion of historical remains which are scattered all over the province.

These were mostly built during the Sassanian era, third to seventh centuries A.D. They include the remnants of a vast historical city spread over 200 hectares, numerous fortresses of various size as well as several bridges, shrines and fire temples.

The splendid natural scenery of Ilam, located in the heart of Zagros Mountains, varies from imposing cliffs to slopes covered in a thick canopy of varied trees, as well as valleys, passes made through the mountain gaps, meadows, and grazing lands.

The majority of the population are nomadic tribes whose livelihood depends on rearing sheep. Whichever part of the province you cross and whatever route you take, there are always flocks of grazing sheep, with tribesmen in colourful clothes tending them.

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Photo gallery by Farshid Samani