GPS Systems and Reviews

Rating GPS Systems

What goes into Rating Gps Systems?

Rating GPS Systems
How does one rate a GPS system?  What goes into the commercial rating systems, the rating systems you see on the review pages across the net and in some magazines?  Are they written by consumers, writers or the people who are selling the GPS systems?

Many sites and many consumers have different concerns when it comes to shopping for GPS systems. These sites and magazines also have different ways in which to display their ratings. 

Some system uses a star method.  This method generally uses a five star method.  The more stars a product has the better quality, better price, better overall rating it achieved.  This means if the product got five out of five stars, it is an amazing product.  Yet, if it only got a one star product you can assume it is a fair product.

Other systems may use an alphabetical rating type system, like is used in schools:  ABCD or F. 

Then there are the systems that may use a rating system based on usefulness or lack of usefulness.  Finally, there are rating systems that are based on actual tests and the proven results after the tests were finalized.

These reviews and ratings are sometimes written by writers, people selling the product, or other consumers.  You should beware of the actual website address to help you decide which of the three could have written or helped to write any rating you read.

But the common ratings are based on such things as:

Price

Yes, price is a definite consideration.

A consumer can compare one model to another model, price wise.  But the consumer should remember that the GPS system that has the most capabilities may very well be the most expensive.  Yet, at the same time could definitely be worth the amount of money. 

When looking at the prices consider all the capabilities and then consider how many of these capabilities you actually need.

Accuracy:

Does the GPS system actually take you the address you wish?  Does the GPS system actually show you the actual speed you are driving? Does the GPS system actually pinpoint the correct mileage between destinations?

How close was the GPS system to being right or how many times was it right?  These factors do matter.

Extra fun capabilities we all love

The more fun stuff that is added to the GPS system that more stars the GPS system will get or the higher rating it will receive.  Rating systems and reviewers love extra capabilities such as:

Blue tooth capabilities
Text to Speech Capabilities
Size of the display
Easy bigger, buttons
MP3 player and audio players

Yet, beware that some of these extra fun capabilities will definitely raise the price level of the GPS system.

Ease of programming

Face it, we all are not that the great when it comes to programming or using our new techno toys. Ratings are definitely made that includes how easy each GPS system is for the common consumer to use.

Visibility of the onscreen directions

This is important because although we want to know where we need to go, we need to be safe going there.  If we have problems seeing the screen clearly, this can be a cause for accidents.

Voice compatibility and ease of understanding

If the GPS system comes included with a built in speaker, how easy is it to understand the voice and how clear is the directions?  This is also very important.  If you have trouble understanding the directions, you will still have trouble finding your destination and the GPS system would be useless.

Actual performance levels

This rating is in place if the product is actually tested on the road.  If it is being tested, rest assured that more than likely it will be tested more than once for reliability.
Beware though, that each rating system may not be alike.  You may read a review and the ratings of a particular GPS system on one site and find that it got a low star rating.  Then you may find that the same GPS system got a five star rating on another site.  The reason could be that the consumer and reviewers of each site favors different aspects and different rating qualities.  For instance, one may care more about the extra capabilities and functions than anything else whereas the second group of reviewers and consumers may feel that the overall performance is the key to any good GPS system.

For this reason, take the GPS rating system as a learning tool, not a decision making tool.  Use it to learn more about your different choices and options when it comes to buying a GPS system.  But use your overall decision of what is important to you as the basis as to which GPS system you ultimately buy.

 

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How to compare gps systems

compare gps systems
Do you know how to compare gps systems?  You do know that when we purchase products, we are bound to compare them.  It is just the way we have been taught to shop.  Comparing products is a smart concept to learn, too.  If you don’t compare system A to system B, how do you really know if system A is a good bargain or if it is the best model for the needs and wants you have? If you wish to purchase a gps system, here are tips and basic knowledge that can use in comparing them in a useful way.

First, you must do a price comparison.

Price does matter.  Actually, price is sometimes a deciding factor in most everything we purchase. 

We want to get a good bargain.  We want to have the right amount of money on us during checkout.  We want to make sure we can actually afford the amount we are spending.

These are just some of the reasons why price is important.

Another reason we should compare is because some stores (online and locally) will sell the same merchandise for different prices.  If you are not purchasing in a hurry, you can take the time to find out which stores offers the best prices for the same gps systems or system that you are must interested.  You can even do this by phone, to help save the cost of fuel.

Second comparison you may want to make is the brand name.

Yes, brand names can matter.  If a brand has been around for a long time, this proves that the company offers quality products.  It can also prove that you are getting a gps system made from not only the standard materials but the best materials.

For instance, if you hear the name Garmin Gps system.  What do you think?  Do you immediately get a picture of a high grade or quality gps system in your mind?  Do you picture a system a friend may have?  Do you expect a system that will work to your standard and needs?

You expect these things because you know this is a brand you can trust and it is a brand you recognize.

Third comparison, you may want to consider is ease of use.

Is the system complicated?  Does the system look complicated?  Does the buttons look right and are they located in the positions you expect.

How does the system upload information?  Do you need to use a serial port on your computer or can you use an USB or do you have a choice?

Do some research and see how past customers rates the brand and model you are considering when it comes to performance and ease of use.

Third comparison you definitely should make is the capabilities and functions of each gps system.

Maybe system A has more functions.  But what are those functions?  Are they functions that are useful to you?

Remember the more that a system can do the more it will cost. 

To help ensure you do find the system with the functions you must have make a list of what is the most important to you in the way of wants and needs.

Fourth comparison is the extra fun functions we all love.

Does System A also work as an audio player?  Does it cost the same or close to the same as System B?

Sales people love to play up those extra features on everything we buy, especially gps systems.  Many times these fun functions will cause us to fall in love with them, too.  Yet, we need to stop and think.  Don’t be dazzled by those fun new features. Do however consider this.  If you can purchase a system with some extra features for the same amount of money or by paying just a little more, then it might be worthwhile for you to buy that system.  Yet, if the does not include the necessary functions you need what good will those fun features be to you?  Plus, if it costs a lot more you are just paying for something you don’t need and falling into the sales trap that was laid out for you.

Fifth comparison is the little things that may matter to you such as:

Size of the system (do you need it to fit in your purse or pocket)
Weight of the system
Is the display unit colorized
Is the system itself waterproof
It is durable
Is it portable
Is it dash mountable
Does it come in any other color beside basic black
Does it have a touch screen

Use the basic comparisons when shopping for gps systems and soon you will clearly see which system is ideal for you and your needs.

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