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Tips on Buying a GPS

GPS makes navigation much easier. With a GPS device and a clear view of the sky, you will never be lost again. There are a wide assortment of GPS devices for sale, and getting the right one that fits your needs will ensure that you get the most out of your GPS unit. After all, a unit that does not work well for your needs tends to stay at home and not be used. This article will help you pick out the best type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of usage from your GPS.

Step 1: Selecting the right type of device

To start, you need to understand the various 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 device you buy will vary based on your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of unit you are purchasing.

Vehicle GPS systems are a lifesaver if you visit lots of different places with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS units may also come with features which help make operating them in a vehicle very easy: features like automatic route finding tell you when and where to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Some vehicle GPS devices feature technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-reports so that your route can be recalculated based on current traffic conditions. If you plan on using your GPS chiefly in your car, you should look for a unit designed specifically for this kind of usage since these systems usually come with bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld systems.

Handheld GPS units tend to be the most versatile sort of GPS devices available. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. But, this versatility normally comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the entire unit 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) harder to use than a unit that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a PDA or computer. If you plan on using your GPS primarily for driving, the small screen may make it harder to use. If you plan on using your GPS when hiking, camping, or fishing, this is probably the best kind of GPS for you.

GPS devices that plug in directly to a PDA or laptop usually depend on the computer or PDA for all of the GPS functionality aside from the collection of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Because a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the PDA or laptop, the GPS unit itself is often much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS system. However, if you intend to use your GPS for camping, in marine conditions, backpacking, or walking, bringing your PDA or laptop may make using your GPS system more trouble than it's worth. As such, GPS devices that connect to other devices are usually used in vehicles and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest GPS system around and you already already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the optimal option for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Depending on the kind of GPS system your are purchasing, here are some features that you will want to look at.

Accuracy -- In general, GPS devices have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , look for a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of a GPS unit. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS systems let you to enter a specific street address. This can be 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 to tell you exactly where to turn to get to a programmed final destination. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle systems, or devices used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the device without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS devices will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of North America. If plan to getting a system with a pre-installed map, make sure you get a GPS for your area, especially if you are buying on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be updated.

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

Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at a GPS device 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) be sure that the GPS unit can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS system that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS devices allow maps to be downloaded into them. This is very nice for people who travel far-and-wide. It also allows you to get away with getting 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 be certain that you have sufficient memory to hold 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 looking for a PDA attached or handheld GPS device, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in using your GPS.

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

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices have the ability to download real-time traffic information. If you live in an urban area, this is an incredibly useful feature even if you know the area you are in. This feature is most often available in vehicle systems and in PDA/computer attached systems.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are purchasing a handheld GPS system and you plan on going hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS device, consider getting a system that has some level of resistance to water. Also, know the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant means that the system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it cannot be completely submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be completely submerged, you should consider a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.

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Buster is a gadget freak. He's been making use of GPS units for over 10 years. You can look for his GPS rankings at gps-rankings.com.

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