Tips on Selecting a GPS

GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. When you have a GPS unit and a clear view of the sky, you'll never end up lost again. There are a assortment of GPS units available, and purchasing the right one that fits your needs will help guarantee that you get the most from your GPS device. A unit that does not work well for your needs will tend sit on the shelf and not get used. This article will help you pick out the correct type of GPS for your needs so that you will get years of usage from your GPS.

Step 1: Selecting the correct type of unit

To start, you need to understand the different types of GPS units available 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 buy will vary based on your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are buying.

Vehicle GPS units are a huge time save if you drive for a living or make trips to lots of different locations with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS systems usually come with features that make using them in a car much easier: features such as automatic route finding tell you where and when to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS units come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-reports so that your route can be recalculated based on traffic conditions. If you plan to use your GPS primarily in your vehicle, you should think about a device designed specifically for this kind of usage since these systems usually have bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.

Handheld GPS systems are the most versatile sort of GPS systems available. They can be used when walking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. But, this increased versatility usually comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the unit 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) harder to use than 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 mainly in your vehicle, the small screen may make it hard to use. If you plan on using your GPS when fishing, hiking, or camping, this is probably the best kind of GPS for you.

GPS units that link up directly to a PDA or laptop commonly rely on the PDA or computer for all of the GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the data from the GPS satellites. Since a significant amount of the functionality is transferred to the computer or PDA, the GPS system itself is often much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS system. But if you intend to use your GPS for walking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, taking your PDA or laptop may make using your GPS device more trouble than it's worth. As such, GPS devices that connect to other devices are usually employed in cars and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the lowest cost GPS unit around and you currently have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the best choice for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Depending on the kind of GPS unit your are buying, here are some features that you will want to examine.

Accuracy -- In general, GPS devices 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) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your GPS device. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS devices make it easy for you to enter a target street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS systems or devices used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature configures the GPS so that it will tell you where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle devices, or units used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the device without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.

Built-in Maps -- Many 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, make sure you get a GPS for your area, particularly if you are shopping on-line. In addition, 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 -- Believe it or not, there are GPS units that do not include a compass unless you are moving above some minimum speed (often faster than a hiking speed). But there are also GPS devices that provide true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature is usually most useful in handheld GPS devices.

Computer Compatibility -- If you are considering 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) make sure that the GPS device 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 -- Many GPS systems allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for people who travel far-and-wide. It also allows you to get away with buying 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 device 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. Even better is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you'll never run out.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a PDA attached or handheld GPS unit, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS devices allow an external antenna to be used. This is very useful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be impeded by the device being in a car. It can also be useful in handheld systems since it allows you to keep the device in your backpack but still be operating for things like breadcrumbs.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices have the capability to download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this is an incredibly helpful 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 devices.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS unit and you intend to go fishing, backpacking, hiking, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS device, consider looking for a system that is resistant to water. Also, know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant indicates that the unit can be exposed to small amounts of water but it cannot be completely submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be submerged, you should get a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.

Source: http://www.therealarticles.com/Article/Tips-on-Selecting-a-GPS/142578