GPS Buying Guide

A free article on Consumer Electronics

By: FrancisGrouper

GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. With a GPS device and a clear view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a wide variety of GPS units for sale, and purchasing the correct one that fits your needs will help guarantee that you get the most out of your GPS device. A device that does not work well for your requirements will usually stay at home and not be used. This article will help you determine the best type of GPS for your needs so that you will get years of usage from your GPS.

Step 1: Selecting the right type of unit

Before you get a GPS, you have to understand the different types of GPS devices that are available and how each can meet your needs. The important types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you get will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of device you are purchasing.

Vehicle GPS systems are a great benefit if you make trips to lots of different locations with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS units may also come with features that help make using them in a vehicle much easier: features like automatic route finding tell you where and when to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Some vehicle GPS units feature technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-reports and they can re-map your route based on the current traffic. If you plan on using your GPS mainly in your vehicle, you should think about a unit designed specifically for this type of usage as these devices usually come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.

Handheld GPS devices are the most versatile sort of GPS devices for sale. They can be used when camping, walking, driving, really any place you can go. However, this increased versatility often results in a device that has fewer advanced features. Since the entire system needs to be portable, the screen size is commonly limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as breadcrumbs, route marking, visuals, etc) harder to use than a system 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 chiefly in your car, a smaller screen may make it hard to use. If you intend on using your GPS when camping, fishing, or walking, this is most likely the best sort of GPS for you.

GPS devices that plug in directly to a laptop or PDA usually depend on the computer or PDA for all of the GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is transferred to the PDA or laptop, the GPS unit itself is usually much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS device. But if you plan on using 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 more commonly used in cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest GPS system available and you already have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the optimal option for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Based on the type of GPS unit your are looking for, here are some of the features that you will want to examine.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS systems have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , consider a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of a GPS unit. This feature is usually most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS units allow you to enter a specific 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 most often used in tandem with address finding. This feature configures the GPS to tell you precisely where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is a very useful feature for vehicle systems, or systems used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the system without having to take your eyes off the road.

Built-in Maps -- Lots of GPS units come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of the United States. If you are purchasing a unit with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for your area, particularly if you are buying on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded.

Compass -- Believe it or not, there are lots of GPS systems that do not include a compass unless you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a hiking speed). But there are GPS devices that include true compass functionality even when you are stopped. This feature tends to be most useful in 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) make sure that the GPS unit is compatible with the type of computer you have. Every GPS device that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS systems allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very convenient for people who travel to a wide variety of places. It also allows you to get away with purchasing 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 system with maps, you'll want to make sure 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 devices: the more memory the better.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be purchasing a handheld or PDA attached GPS device, look closely at the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in using your GPS.

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

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS systems include the ability 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 buying a handheld GPS device and you intend to go backpacking, boating, fishing, camping, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS system, consider looking for a system that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically can't be completely submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.