GPS makes navigation much easier. When you have a GPS unit and a clear view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a variety of GPS devices out there, and buying the right one that fits your needs will guarantee that you get the most out of your GPS device. After all, a device that does not work well for your requirements tends to sit on the shelf and not get used. This article will help you ascertain the correct type of GPS for you so that you will get years of employment from your GPS.
Step 1: Picking the right type of unit
Before you buy a GPS, you need to understand the different types of GPS units that are available and how each will meet your specific requirements. The major 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 look for will vary based on the type of device you are getting.
Vehicle GPS systems are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or visit lots of different locations with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS devices usually come with features which make using them in a car very easy: features such as automatic route finding tell you when and where to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS units even come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic conditions and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan on using your GPS primarily in your car, you should look for a system designed specifically for this kind of usage as these units usually come with bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.
Handheld GPS units tend to be the most versatile type of GPS units for sale. They can be used when hiking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. But, this increased versatility ordinarily results in a system 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 map visuals, route marking, breadcrumb trails, etc) harder to use than in a system 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 for driving, the small screen may make it more difficult to use. If you plan on using your GPS when fishing, hiking, or camping, this is probably the best sort of GPS for you.
GPS devices that connect directly to a laptop or PDA often depend on the computer or PDA for all of the advanced GPS functionality except for the gathering of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Since a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is often much cheaper than a free-standing GPS unit. However, if you intend to use your GPS for in a marine environment, camping, hiking, or backpacking, carrying around your PDA or laptop may make using your GPS device more trouble than it's worth. Because of this, GPS devices that connect to other devices are most often employed in cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the lowest cost GPS system around and you currently already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the right option for you.
Step 2: Selecting GPS Features
Depending on the type of GPS system your are getting, here are some features that you should consider.
Accuracy -- In general, GPS systems have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , search for a unit with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of a GPS device. This is usually most useful in handheld units.
Address Finding -- Some GPS devices make it easy for you to enter a target street address. This is very handy when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS systems or units used in vehicles.
Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in tandem with address finding. This feature configures the GPS so that it will tell you exactly where to turn to get to a pre-programmed final destination. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle devices, or devices used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the unit without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.
Built-in Maps -- Many GPS devices come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of the United States. If plan to buying a device with a built-in map, make sure you get a GPS for the right area, particularly if you are buying on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be upgraded.
Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are lots of GPS systems that do not have a compass except for when you are moving above some minimum speed (often faster than a walking speed). But there are GPS systems that provide true compass functionality even when stopped. This feature is usually most useful on handheld GPS devices.
Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at 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 Mac or a Linux machine) be sure that the GPS system is compatible with the type of computer you have. Every GPS system that connects to a computer will support a Windows computer. But support for other operating system varies.
Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS devices allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very convenient for people who travel to a wide variety of locations. 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 system with maps, you will want to be certain that you have enough memory to hold the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS systems: the more memory the better. Even better is swappable/expandable memory so that you can be sure you will never run out.
Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a PDA attached or handheld GPS unit, pay close attention to the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.
External Antennas -- Some GPS devices provide for an external antenna to be used. This is very helpful in vehicle devices where the satellite signal may be impeded by the device being in a car. It can also be useful in portable units as it allows you to keep the unit in your backpack but still be operational for things like creating trails.
Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS units come with the ability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this can be an incredibly useful feature even if you are familiar with the area you are in. This feature is most often available in vehicle units and in PDA/computer attached devices.
Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS device and you plan on going boating, camping, hiking, fishing, or doing anything outside with your GPS system, consider getting a system that has some level of resistance to water. Also, know the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it cannot be submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be totally submerged, you should get a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.
