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GPS Selection Guide

By: FrancisGrouper


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GPS makes navigation much easier. With a GPS device and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never be lost again. There are a assortment of GPS units available, and purchasing the right one that fits your needs will ensure that you get the most out of your GPS unit. A device that does not meet your needs will tend sit on the shelf and not be used. This guide will help you ascertain the right type of GPS for your needs so that you'll get years of usage from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the correct type of device

To start, you have to understand the different types of GPS devices available and how each will meet your requirements. The primary types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you buy will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of unit you are buying.

Vehicle GPS devices are a huge time save if you drive for a living or visit lots of different locations with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS systems often come with features that help make operating them in a car much easier: features such as automatic route finding which tell you where and when to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. 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 at a device designed specifically for this sort of usage as these devices usually come with bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld systems.

Handheld GPS systems 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. However, this increased versatility ordinarily comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the system needs to be portable, 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 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 in your vehicle, a smaller screen may make it harder to use. If you plan on using your GPS when camping, fishing, or walking, this is probably the best sort of GPS for you.

GPS systems that connect directly to a laptop or PDA often depend on the computer or PDA for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Since a lot of the functionality is transferred to the PDA or laptop, the GPS system 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, taking your laptop or PDA may make the use of your GPS system rather inconvenient. As such, GPS systems that connect to other devices are more commonly employed in vehicles and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS device around and you currently have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the best choice for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Based on the type of GPS device your are purchasing, here are some features you will want to look at.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS units have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , consider a system 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 units allow you to enter a specific street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS devices or systems used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in tandem with address finding. This feature configures the GPS so that it will tell you precisely where to turn to get to a pre-programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle units, or systems 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 units will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of Europe. If plan to buying a system with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for the right area, particularly if you are purchasing on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be updated.

Compass -- Believe it or not, there are lots of GPS units that do not have a compass except for when you are moving above some minimum speed (often faster than a hiking speed). But there are also GPS systems that come with true compass functionality even when stopped. This feature is usually most useful in handheld GPS units.

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 Linux machine or a Mac) be sure that the GPS unit is compatible with 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 -- Many GPS units allow maps to be downloaded into them. This is very convenient for users who travel to a wide variety of locations. 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 plan to use your GPS system with maps, you will want to make sure 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 devices: the more memory the better. Another option is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you'll never run out of space.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for 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 used. This is very helpful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be degraded by the device being in a car. It can also be useful in portable devices since it allows you to keep the unit packed but still be operating for things like creating trails.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS units include the capability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you drive in an urban area, this can be 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 PDA/computer attached systems.

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

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Francis is a gadget freak. She has been making use of GPS units for well over 10 years. You can look for her GPS ratings at eDistiller.



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