Know what to look for when buying a GPS. The GPS is becoming more of a necessity rather than a luxury for many people. Gone are the days of the stacks of paper maps in a car’s glove compartment. People are not only using them for driving directions, but for hobbies such as Geo-caching. There are many different brands and types of GPS, but even if you are totally unfamiliar with the systems, there are some guidelines that help you in buying a GPS.
Easy to use; GPS systems can get confusing but for the most part, once you figure out how they work, you catch on quickly. However, some are more technical than others. Depending on how new you are to GPS, you will want to find one that is easy for you to use. Consider if you loaned it to a friend; would they be able to easily use it without complicated instructions? Consider this before buying a GPS.
SiRF Star III: You will want to be sure your GPS uses this high performance receiver especially if you will be using it in high density areas of trees or buildings. This will insure you will get quality reception.
Map Quality: Obviously you are going to want a good map. There are two main suppliers for mapping data. They are NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas. Both companies are making commendable advances, but you may want to see what reviews they are getting before buying a GPS with either mapping device.
POI: When buying a GPS, there are normally a standard number of POI, or “points of interest” built into the system. These can number anywhere from a few dozen to several thousand. These have locations already mapped for things such as restaurants, hotels and gas stations. Decide how many you will want your GPS equipped with before buying a GPS. Obviously, if you travel a great deal, you will want more POI’s.
Routing Quality: Two different GPS brands can have the same maps incorporated into them and have completely different routing systems. Part of the benefit of having a GPS is peace of mind of knowing you can find a location and get there with the least amount of trouble. Some routing systems are just plain better than others because they are a lot more detailed and accurate. The only way to know what kind of a routing system a GPS has is by checking the reviews for that product.
Extras: Like everything else, when you are buying a GPS, you can get the bells and whistles for it. For some, these actually do serve an important role, but for some, it is a matter of convenience. Such things include screen size, text to speech, Bluetooth capabilities, real time traffic data and FM transmitters.
Since the cost of a GPS can be anywhere from $100-$1000 or more, it is wise to make sure you are getting everything you need and want in a GPS before buying. No two situations or people are alike and there are many options from which to choose.
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