GPS makes all sorts of navigation easier. When you have a GPS unit and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never be lost again. There are a wide assortment of GPS devices out there, and purchasing the appropriate one that fits your needs will guarantee that you get the most from your GPS device. After all, a device that does not work well for your needs will tend stay at home and not get used. This guide will help you select the correct type of GPS for your needs so that you will get years of usage from your GPS.
Step 1: Picking the correct type of device
To start, you have to understand the various types of GPS devices that are out there and how each can meet your requirements. The primary types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you purchase will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of unit you are buying.
Vehicle GPS units 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 systems may also come with features which help make operating 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 devices feature 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 primarily in your vehicle, you should think about a system designed specifically for this kind of usage as these units usually have 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, hiking, really any place you can go. But, this versatility ordinarily results in a unit that has fewer advanced features. Since the device needs to be portable, the screen size is usually 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 primarily in your car, the small screen may make it harder to use. If you plan on using your GPS when fishing, walking, or camping, this is most likely the best sort of GPS for you.
GPS systems that link up directly to a laptop or PDA commonly depend on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is transferred to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is often much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS system. 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 device more trouble than it is worth. Because of this, 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 available and you already already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the optimal choice for you.
Step 2: Picking GPS Features
Depending on the sort of GPS unit your are buying, here are some of the features that you should consider.
Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS systems are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you , search for a system 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 systems let you to enter a target street address. This is very useful when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS units or devices used in vehicles.
Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature configures the GPS to tell you where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle devices, or devices 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 systems come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of Europe. If plan to buying a system with a built-in map, be sure you get a GPS for your area, particularly if you are purchasing on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can be certain of roads changing during that time.
Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are lots of GPS units that do not have a compass except for when you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a walking speed). But there are GPS devices that include true compass functionality even when you are stopped. This feature is usually most useful on handheld GPS units.
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 Linux machine or a Mac) make sure that the GPS system can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS unit 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 into them. This is very convenient for users who travel far-and-wide. It also allows you to get away with purchasing 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 plan to use your GPS device with maps, you'll want to be certain that you have sufficient memory to support 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 device, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.
External Antennas -- Some GPS units provide for an external antenna to be used. This is very helpful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be reduced by the unit being in a car. It can also be helpful in handheld devices as it allows you to keep the device in your backpack but still be operating for things like creating trails.
Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS systems include 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 units and in computer/PDA attached systems.
Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS device and you plan on going fishing, backpacking, hiking, boating, or doing anything outside with your GPS system, think about looking for a system that has some level of resistance to water. Also, know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant means that the system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically 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.
