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'GPS ~ Tips on Buying a GPS ~ electronics'
"..... This guide will help you determine the correct type of GPS for you so that you will get years of ut..........GPS, electronics, gadgets, reviews....."
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 wide assortment of GPS devices available, and buying the right one for your needs will help guarantee that you get the most from your GPS unit. A device that does not work well for your needs tends to sit on the shelf and not get used. This guide will help you determine the correct type of GPS for you so that you will get years of utilization from your GPS.
Step 1: Picking the right type of unit
Before you get a GPS, you need to understand the various types of GPS devices that are out there and how each will meet your specific requirements. The important types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you buy will vary dependent upon your needs, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of unit you are getting.
Vehicle GPS systems 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 devices usually come with features which make operating them in a car 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 alerts them to real-time traffic conditions and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan on using your GPS chiefly in your car, you should think about a device designed specifically for this kind of usage since these units tend to come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld systems.
Handheld GPS units are the most versatile sort of GPS systems for sale. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. However, this increased versatility often results in a system that has fewer advanced features. Since the system needs to be portable, screen size is often limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as breadcrumbs, route marking, visuals, etc) harder to use than a device that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a PDA or computer. 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 fishing, walking, or camping, this is probably the best type of GPS for you.
GPS units that plug in directly to a laptop or PDA often 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 significant amount of the functionality is transferred to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is usually much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS unit. However, if you plan on using your GPS for in a marine environment, camping, walking, or backpacking, carrying around 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 cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest GPS system around and you already already have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the optimal option for you.
Step 2: Selecting GPS Features
Depending on the type of GPS system your are purchasing, here are some of the features you should think over.
Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS devices have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , search for a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of a GPS unit. This feature is usually 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 useful when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS systems 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 precisely where to turn to get to a programmed final destination. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle systems, or units 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 systems will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of North America. If you are buying a system with a pre-installed 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 updated. 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 devices 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 systems that include true compass functionality even when stopped. This feature is usually most useful in handheld GPS systems.
Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking for a GPS unit that connects to 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 system can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS unit that connects to a computer will support a Windows computer. But compatibility with other operating system varies.
Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS devices allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for users who travel to a wide variety of locations. It also makes it easier to purchase 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 are using your GPS device with maps, you will want to make sure 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 systems: the more memory the better. Another option is swappable/expandable memory so that you can be sure you will never run out.
Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a handheld or PDA attached GPS unit, look closely at the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.
External Antennas -- Some GPS systems provide for an external antenna to be used. This is very helpful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be impeded by the device being in a car. It can also be helpful in portable systems since it allows you to keep the device packed but still be operating for things like creating trails.
Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices come with the ability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you live in an urban area, this can be an incredibly helpful feature even if you are familiar with the area you are in. This feature is most often available in vehicle devices and in PDA/computer attached units.
Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are buying a handheld GPS system and you intend to go hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outside with your GPS system, consider getting a device that has some level of resistance to water. Also, know the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the device can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically can't be completely submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be submerged, you should consider a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.
"..... This feature is most often available in vehicle devices and in PDA/computer attached units....."
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Francis is a lover of electronics. She has been making use of GPS units for upwards of 10 years. You can check out her GPS reviews at eDistiller.
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