GPS makes all sorts of navigation easier. When you have a GPS device and a clear view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a large assortment of GPS units available, and buying the best one that fits your needs will ensure that you get the most from your GPS unit. After all, a unit 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 right type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of employment from your GPS.
Step 1: Picking the right type of unit
To start, you have to understand the different types of GPS units available and how each can meet your specific requirements. The important types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you get will vary based on your needs, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of unit you are getting.
Vehicle GPS systems are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or make trips to lots of different places with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS devices often come with features that make using them in a vehicle much easier: features such as automatic route finding which tell you when and where to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. Some vehicle GPS systems come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic conditions so that your route can be recalculated based on current traffic conditions. If you plan to use your GPS primarily in your car, you should think about a system designed specifically for this type of usage since these devices usually have bigger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld units.
Handheld GPS devices are the most versatile sort of GPS units for sale. They can be used when walking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. However, this increased versatility usually comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the entire device needs to be portable, screen size is commonly 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 computer or PDA. If you plan on using your GPS primarily for driving, a smaller screen may make it more difficult to use. If you intend on using your GPS when fishing, walking, or camping, this is probably the best type of GPS for you.
GPS units that link up directly to a laptop or PDA usually rely on the computer or PDA for all of the advanced GPS functionality except for the gathering of the data from the GPS satellites. Since a lot of the functionality is transferred 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 walking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, taking your laptop or PDA may make the use of your GPS system rather inconvenient. Because of this, GPS units that connect to another device are usually used in cars and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS system available and you currently already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the best choice for you.
Step 2: Picking GPS Features
Depending on the sort of GPS device your are looking for, here are some of the features that you will want to look at.
Accuracy -- In general, GPS devices are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value (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 device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) since this doubles the accuracy of your GPS system. This is usually most useful in handheld units.
Address Finding -- Some GPS devices let you to enter a target street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS units or devices used in vehicles.
Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS so that it will tell you precisely where to turn to get to a programmed final destination. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle devices, or systems used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the system without having to take your eyes off the road.
Built-in Maps -- Lots of GPS systems will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of Europe. If you are buying a device with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for your area, particularly if you are purchasing 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 -- Believe it or not, there are GPS systems that do not include a compass unless you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a hiking speed). But there are GPS units that come with true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld GPS systems.
Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at a GPS device 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 computer. But compatibility with other operating system varies.
Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS devices allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very convenient for users who travel to a wide variety of places. 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 plan to use your GPS device with maps, you will want to be certain you have sufficient memory to hold the number of maps you will wanted loaded in your GPS. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS devices: the more memory the better.
Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be purchasing a PDA attached or handheld GPS system, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.
External Antennas -- Some GPS systems allow an external antenna to be used. This can be useful in vehicle systems where the satellite signal may be impeded by the unit being in a car. It can also be useful in portable units since it allows you to keep the unit in your backpack but still be operational for things like breadcrumbs.
Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices include the capability to 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 tends to be available in vehicle systems and in PDA/computer attached systems.
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 means that the unit can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically cannot be totally submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.
