Tips on Picking a GPS

GPS makes navigation much easier. When you have a GPS unit and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a large variety of GPS units for sale, and buying the appropriate one that fits your needs will help guarantee that you get the most from your GPS device. After all, a device that does not meet your needs will tend stay at home and not be used. This guide will help you pick out the correct type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of utilization from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the right type of device

To start, you need to know about the different types of GPS devices that are available and how each can meet your needs. The primary types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you get will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are buying.

Vehicle GPS units are a lifesaver if you make trips to lots of different locations with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS units usually come with features which help make using them in a car very easy: features such as 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 systems come with technology that alerts them to real-time traffic-reports and they can re-map your route based on the current traffic. If you plan on using your GPS primarily in your vehicle, you should think about a unit designed specifically for this kind of usage since these devices tend to come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.

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

GPS units that link up directly to a laptop or PDA commonly rely on the computer or PDA for all of the GPS functionality except for the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a significant amount of the functionality is transferred to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is often much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS device. However, if you plan on using your GPS for in a marine environment, camping, walking, or backpacking, taking your PDA or laptop may make the use of your GPS system somewhat inconvenient. Because of this, GPS units that connect to another device are more commonly used in cars and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the lowest cost GPS system around and you currently have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the right choice for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Depending on the type of GPS device your are purchasing, here are some features you should consider.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS units are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you , look for a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your GPS unit. This feature is usually most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS units let you to enter a target street address. This is very useful when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS units or units used in vehicles.

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

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS devices come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of North America. If you are getting a unit with a built-in map, make sure you get a GPS for your area, especially if you are purchasing on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be updated. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can count on roads changing during that time.

Compass -- Believe it or not, there are GPS units that do not have a compass unless you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a hiking speed). But there are also GPS devices that provide true compass functionality even when not moving. This feature tends to be most useful on handheld GPS devices.

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

Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS systems allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for people who travel to a wide variety of locations. It also makes it easier to purchase a GPS with 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 system with maps, you will want to make sure that you have sufficient memory to hold the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS units: the more memory the better.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a handheld or PDA attached GPS unit, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in using your GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS units provide for an external antenna to be used. This can be useful in vehicle systems where the satellite signal may be reduced by the device being in a car. It can also be useful in handheld devices since it allows you to keep the device in your backpack but still be operational for things like breadcrumbs.

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

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are buying a handheld GPS system and you intend to go backpacking, boating, fishing, camping, or doing anything outside with your GPS system, consider getting a device that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the unit 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 should get a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.

Published Articles: http://www.rhinoarticles.com/

By: FrancisGrouper

Francis is a lover of electronic devices. She's been playing with GPS receivers for over 10 years. You can read her GPS ratings at eDistiller.

Please Rate & Bookmark this Article

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

Not yet Rated