Hiking GPS units – Garmin eTrex Venture HC As we have expanded our portable GPS testing program, many readers have requested GPS buying advice and ratings on hiking handhelds inspiring the team here to hit the trails. We purchased a variety of models from Garmin and Magellan to evaluate. (We have heard from a smaller, though no less passionate, group of golfing enthusiasts, but the GPS team will not be hitting the links this year.) Trails have been trekked, dozens of geocaches found, and testing has been completed. We are now working on buying advice and Ratings. As promised, we’ll have the hiking GPS information live this month, leaving ample time for holiday shopping. As we get the big pieces together, our first review is of the affordable Garmin eTrex Venture HC. We found the eTrex Venture HC to be a great entry-level handheld device that is well-suited for the casual hiker or someone just getting started in geocaching. The other units evaluated are significantly more expensive, with additional features and in some cases much slicker overall packages. However, we found the eTrex Venture HC was equipped with the features that will matter most to the typical weekend adventurer. Read our Garmin eTrex Venture HC first look for the full story. We’ll have much more to report on hiking units in the days ahead. —Jeff Bartlett For more information on portable automotive GPS navigation systems, see our Ratings and buying advice and watch our video guide. Discuss GPS devices in the forums.   Subscribe now! Subscribe to ConsumerReports.org for expert Ratings, buying advice and reliability on hundreds of products. Update your feed preferences

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Here is another 529 account bonus, but only open to California residents. If you open a California ScholarShare 529 College Savings Plan today and sign up for automatic investing of at least $50 per month on the account, and you’ll receive a $50 Target GiftCard.

From the fine print:

To receive a $50.00 Target GiftCard (a “Gift Card”), eligible individuals must (a) open a new account under the ScholarShare Plan (a “ScholarShare Account”) within 30 days of registering for the Gift Card offer between August 15, 2008 and December 31, 2008 and (b) establish an automatic investment plan for the ScholarShare Account of at least $50 per month, with the initial $50 automatic investment contributed and invested within 90 days after the ScholarShare Account is opened. Limit: two (2) Gift Cards per person. Each ScholarShare Account must have a different designated beneficiary and be individually owned (no trust, custodial or other ownership arrangements).

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