PDA/GPS units offer a number of advantages over standard mapping gps units. But one must also be aware of the the downside to PDA units. Poor battery life is the number one downside. Battery life is just a few hours. You must have another source of power, be it additional batteries, a vehicle charger, generator, or other source. So does your G.I. Joe or Jane have access to the items need to keep a PDA going?
PDA units are not normally rated as waterproof, and mayn't be as physically rugged as a outdoor gps unit.
One "BIG" advantage of some PDA/GPS units are they are not restricted to same brand mapping software as recreation gps units are.
Map tech is now producing an Outdoor Navigator SD Card with detailed street level maps of cities in Iraq. Retail for the SD card load with the software is just around $300. Of course you still need to have a PDA.
