|
GPS makes all sorts of navigation easier. When you have a GPS unit and a clear view of the sky, you'll never end up lost again. There are a large assortment of GPS units available, and purchasing the right one for your needs will guarantee 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 get used. This article will help you select the right type of GPS for you so that you will get years of utilization from your GPS.
Step 1: Picking the right type of device
To start, you need to understand the various types of GPS devices out there and how each can meet your specific requirements. The major types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you get will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are getting.
Vehicle GPS systems are a great benefit if you drive for a living or visit lots of different places with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS devices often come with features which make using 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 systems come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-reports and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan to use your GPS mainly in your car, you should look for a device designed specifically for this type of usage since these devices tend to come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld systems.
Handheld GPS systems are the most versatile type of GPS units available. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. But, this increased versatility normally results in a unit that has fewer advanced features. Since the entire system 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) more difficult 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 for driving, the small screen may make it hard 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 devices that connect directly to a laptop or PDA usually rely on the computer or PDA for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is transferred to the computer or PDA, the GPS device itself is usually much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS device. However, if you plan on using your GPS for in a marine environment, camping, walking, or backpacking, taking your laptop or PDA may make the use of your GPS unit somewhat inconvenient. Because of this, GPS devices that connect to other devices are usually employed in vehicles and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS device around and you already have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the optimal choice for you.
Step 2: Picking GPS Features
Based on the kind of GPS system your are getting, here are some features that you should look at.
Accuracy -- In general, GPS systems are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you (perhaps you are laying out a course for a race and you really want to make sure you get the 5K distance correct), search for a system with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) since this doubles the accuracy of your GPS device. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld units.
Address Finding -- Some GPS systems allow you to enter a specific street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS devices or devices used in vehicles.
Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS to tell you where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is a very useful feature for vehicle devices, or devices used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the unit without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.
Built-in Maps -- Lots of GPS systems come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of the United States. If plan on getting a device with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for your area, especially if you are shopping on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can count on roads changing during that time.
Compass -- Believe it or not, there are GPS units that do not have a compass except for when you are moving above some minimum speed (usually faster than a walking speed). But there are GPS systems that provide true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature is usually most useful on handheld GPS devices.
Computer Compatibility -- If you are considering a GPS system that connects to 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 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 onto them. This is very convenient for people who travel to a wide variety of places. 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 unit with maps, you will want to be certain you have sufficient memory to hold 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. Even better is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you'll never run out of space.
Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be getting a PDA attached or handheld GPS unit, 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 devices where the satellite signal may be degraded by the unit being in a car. It can also be useful in portable units as it allows you to keep the unit packed but still be operating for things like creating trails.
Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS units come with the capability to 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 units.
Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are purchasing a handheld GPS unit and you intend to go hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outside with your GPS system, consider looking for 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 system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically can't be completely submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be completely submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.
Francis is a lover of electronic devices. She has been playing with GPS units for more than 10 years. You can see her GPS reviews at eDistiller.
|
|
SIGN
UP FOR FREE
