Congratulations on your purchase of your new GPS unit are usually what the owner’s manual or box will say with your purchase of the receiver. Now that you have bought one what is your next move. Setup is usually next in line and we have some quick tips to get you moving in the right direction so you can use it to its full advantages. GPS receivers are great, but many times people do not set them up properly and that is where we run into troubles. Read further and we will go through the process of setting your unit up.
Most people who purchase a GPS unit is so excited to get one they tend to forget a few important details when they open it for the very first time. Now one of the first things you will want to do is make sure everything is in the box. Sometimes mistakes are made and parts, cables, or even instructions are not put in the box. Sometimes even salespeople open a box to check something out and forget to put it back in the box. Check to make sure you have everything. If you do not return to the store and exchange for a complete unit. You paid for it and you have a right to have everything that is supposed to come with it.
Now that we have everything, the first thing you will need to do is power up your unit. Most of the time you will have to set your local time zone and some may asked for a password that you can set. It is very advisable that you do set a password for a couple of different reasons. The first is if you do not people can go into your unit and program what they want and erase what you may have on it. This is something that you do not want to happen. The second reason is if you put in a very tough password and it is stolen the machine is virtually useless to the thief. Those are the main two reasons for a password. Many units do not ask for a password, but I would activate it if your model has it. The menu system is the next thing that you really need to look at very closely. The more you know about the unit you bought and how the menu system works the more you can get out of it. Become familiar with entering data and that will make it much easier when you’re planning trips or just want some information from it.
Bluetooth connectivity is something that many of the newer models have and if your model has it that is the next thing, you will want to set up so you can accept calls through your GPS unit when you are driving down the road. You will need to check with the model you bought to make sure it is compatible with your Bluetooth phone. This usually can be found on the GPS unit’s website. Theft is something else during setup you should think about. GPS units are one of the most stolen items around and people actually ride around looking for them. My advice is once your setup is done remove it from the car or at least lock it in the trunk. Most GPS units are portable these days so take it with you if that is a possibility.
Overall, the set-up procedure as you can see it very easy and after doing a few small jobs you will be ready to go on the road and see how your new GPS unit works. After the initial setup, a good idea is read your owner’s manual from front page to the last page. These manuals are sometimes thick, but they have many good tips inside them to help you better use the model you bought. Most people just toss these manuals aside, but trust me somewhere down the road you will have a question and this is where you will find your answer quickly and easily. Many people still have questions after they read the manual than the best place to go it the company’s website or the retailer where you bight your unit from. Most of the time your local dealer will be able to answer your question. If they cannot do not hesitate to call the company who made the unit. They will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. Go out and enjoy your new GPS receiver, as it will give you many hours of trouble free operation.
