Tips on Buying a GPS

GPS makes navigation much easier. When you have a GPS device and a clear view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a large variety of GPS devices for sale, and buying the appropriate one for your needs will help ensure that you get the most from your GPS device. After all, a unit that does not work well for your requirements will usually sit on the shelf and not get used. This article will help you pick out the best type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of employment from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the correct type of unit

Before you purchase a GPS, you need to understand the different types of GPS devices available and how each can meet your needs. The major types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you select will vary based on your needs, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of unit you are purchasing.

Vehicle GPS units are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or make trips to lots of different locations with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS units may also come with features that make using them in a vehicle very easy: features like automatic route finding tell you where and when to make turns so that you don't need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS devices come with technology that alerts them to real-time traffic conditions so that your route can be recalculated based on traffic conditions. If you plan on using your GPS chiefly in your car, you should think about a device designed specifically for this sort of usage since these devices tend to come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld units.

Handheld GPS units are the most versatile sort of GPS systems available. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. But, this increased versatility normally results in a device that has fewer advanced features. Since the entire device needs to be portable, the screen size is often limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as map visuals, route marking, breadcrumb trails, etc) more difficult to use than in a device that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a PDA or computer. If you intend on using your GPS chiefly in your vehicle, a smaller screen may make it harder to use. If you plan on using your GPS when camping, fishing, or hiking, this is probably the best type of GPS for you.

GPS units that connect directly to a PDA or laptop often rely on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced GPS functionality except for the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Since a lot of the functionality is transferred to the computer or PDA, the GPS unit itself is usually much cheaper than a free-standing GPS unit. But if you intend to use your GPS for hiking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, taking your laptop or PDA may make using your GPS system more trouble than it is worth. As such, GPS units that connect to other devices are usually used in cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest type of GPS system available and you currently have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the right option for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Based on the type of GPS system your are purchasing, here are some of the features you will want to consider.

Accuracy -- In general, GPS units are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you (perhaps you are laying out a course for a race and you really want to make sure you get the 5K distance correct), search for a unit with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your GPS system. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS systems allow you to enter a specific street address. This is very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS devices or systems used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in tandem with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS so that it will tell you where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle devices, or units used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the device without having to take your eyes off the road.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS units come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of North America. If plan to buying a device with a pre-installed map, make sure you get a GPS for the right area, particularly if you are shopping on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be updated.

Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are GPS systems that do not include a compass except for when you are traveling above some minimum speed (often faster than a hiking speed). But there are GPS systems that provide true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature tends to be most useful on handheld GPS systems.

Computer Compatibility -- If you are considering a GPS system that gets updated maps via a computer (which is most of them), and you are using a non-Windows computer (like a Linux machine or a Mac) be sure that the GPS device can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS device that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But compatibility with other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS units allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very convenient for users who travel to a wide variety of places. It also allows you to get away with getting a GPS that has less memory since you can easily swap out the map to fit the area you will be in.

Expandable Memory -- If you are using your GPS device with maps, you'll want to make sure that you have enough memory to support the number of maps you will wanted loaded in your GPS. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS systems: the more memory the better.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be buying a PDA attached or handheld GPS device, pay close attention to the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS units allow an external antenna to be attached. This can be helpful in vehicle systems where the satellite signal may be degraded by the unit being in a car. It can also be helpful in handheld units since it allows you to keep the device in your backpack but still be operational for things like creating trails.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices come with the capability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you drive in an urban area, this can be an incredibly helpful feature even if you know the area you are in. This feature tends to be available in vehicle systems and in computer/PDA attached units.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are purchasing a handheld GPS device and you plan on going hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS system, think about getting a device that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the device can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically cannot be completely submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be totally submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.

Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com

Francis is a gadget freak. She's been using GPS devices for more than 10 years. You can see her GPS rankings at eDistiller.

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated