MADISON, Wis. -- If Wisconsin's spring weather has you thinking about hitting some of the area's hiking trails, there's a new device that you may want to bring along.

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Consumer Reports recently tested GPS units for hikers that may prevent you from getting lost out on the trail.

Marykay Barton enjoys hiking with her children, but a recent excursion turned out to be less fun after her group got lost.

"You know, I don't know how we got lost," remembered Barton. "We just got turned around. There was nothing that looked familiar, and we were just walking in circles. And then when it got dark, forget it. There was no chance of finding anything."

But new handheld GPS units can help hikers find their way.

Testers checked out seven types, ranging in price from $100 to $600, taking the devices out onto the trails and through the woods. Testers found that these units work dramatically differently from those made for cars.

"These don't give you turn-by-turn directions," explained Jeff Bartlett of Consumer Reports. "Simply, they connect 'point a' to 'point b.' It's really up to the user to decide the best way to get there."

As it turned (get it) out, all the devices kept testers from getting lost.

But each product varied in controls and features offered.

The most expensive has advanced functions like a touch screen, topographic map, and electronic compass.

But for casual hikers like the Barton family, the cheapest, the Garmin eTrex Venture HC, could be all that's needed.

These handheld GPS devices are also notable for their increased popularity due to their use in geocaching, or outdoor treasure hunting games.