GPS Systems and Reviews

How do you compare GPS systems?

Compare gps systems

If you are looking to buy a new GPS system, you probably think that you should compare the different choices you have before purchasing a certain model or brand.  But how do you compare GPS systems?  Where do you start?

Do you start by deciding why you want the GPS system?

Do you want it for navigational purposes?  These would be purposes such as finding directions while driving, tracking a map for hiking or jogging, finding your way back to land while you on the open water or do you want the GPS system more for a tracking purpose?  You may want to help track your young children in case they get lost or if something bad happens, you may want to track your automobile, you may own a fleet of vehicles and want to make sure your employees are staying on track and are driving safely, you may even want to track your teenage driver to make sure he/she is driving at safe speeds.

Do you start by the type of GPS system you want?

You should decide whether you want a portable GPS system, one that you can take easily with you from place to place and is completely mobile to a model that is completely dash mountable.  Which version is the type that you really need and want?

You may even want a laptop GPS system.
Do you start by deciding what features you definitely need?

This does help you weed out the models and brands that doesn’t have the features that will suit you and even the ones that have extra, possibly higher priced features that you don’t need or want, which in turn makes the GPS system more expensive than you need.  What types of features should?
You consider?

Mapping ability
How many maps are you able to save?
Display features, functions and even size
Day and night light displays
The position of the buttons and the ease of use
Point of interest
Speed alarms
Built in compass
Download ease and how the system hooks up to a computer (USB port or serial port)
Durability
Battery life
How quickly the batteries recharge
Can you track time, distance and speed
Do you want a system that includes a MP3 player or an audio player?
What kind of reception signal do you need?

Should you compare brands?

Do different brands make better grade GPS systems than other brands do?
Does the brand have to be a name brand?
Does the company that makes the brand have to be from a certain country or region?

Should you compare the internet reviews the GPS systems receive?

Do you know who has written all of the reviews you read?
Do you realize that some of the reviews are actually written by sellers of the GPS systems themselves and others are written by consumers or unbiased parties?
Be sure to find out who writes the reviews before you take the words to heart.

Should you compare the software programs that comes with each GPS system

Each GPS system comes with its own software programs.
Some GPS system may need additional software programs that can be downloaded.
Other programs may even need to be purchased.
Make sure you understand the software capabilities of each system that interest you.

Should you compare a GPS system that offers only functions like other devices?

Should you get a GPS system that doubles as a cell phone or a PDA or just add the GPS system to your current lap top computer?

Do you want to compare the GPS systems that have blue tooth capabilities?

If blue tooth capabilities is on your must have list, than you should definitely check this feature out on each of your top choices.   See how easy each is to use and what options that offer such as:

Spoken voice commands via the car’s speakers
Automatic pause of music to allow calls to come through

Should you compare the colors and styles of each GPS system?

This is up to you on how important these are to you.
Some consumers enjoy the basic black style while others enjoy bolder and brighter color choices.

Finally, should you compare prices?

This is probably the most important comparison you should make.  You should be aware that there may be differences in prices between brands and types of GPS systems you want.  There also may be price differences in how you buy a GPS system.  For instance, if you wish to save money you may be able to find a discounted GPS system on an auction site, at a local retail store during a sales event, at a discounted furbished price or even a list site at some websites if you do a little research.

How you compare GPS systems is up to you the, consumer.  Just make sure you pay attention to the details that matter to you the most.

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Choosing personal gps systems for your all your needs

Choosing personal gps systems
You should take care in choosing personal gps systems for all your needs and wants, just as you would any other purchase.  Where do you start?

Most people will tell you to start at the basic factor, the price.  In fact, most people would be right in thinking this is a basic factor to consider.   If you don’t consider the price, you may be considering a purchase you can’t afford.  Sure you could say I could put that purchase on my credit card and I will be all right.  Maybe you can. Maybe you shouldn’t.  That question is up to you.   But do at least be aware of the price of every gps system you consider purchasing.

Next consider how you want to use a gps system.   Do you want a gps system that will work outside, in any climate, in any light and one that has a lot of battery life?

If these things are important, they need to be on your list of needs and wants.   Plus, you may want to add the fact that a portable unit may also be the perfect type of gps system for you.

Maybe you answered that you want a gps system that will work in my car.  One that will easily show me the way to my next destination.  Maybe you also said that you wanted one that could speak not only turn by turn directions to you, but could give them in speak to text language, as well.  If this is the case you may prefer a dash mountable system instead of a portable one.

Yet, you may have answered that you want a gps system that you can take out on your boat.  You might have added that you would love one that also had a built in fish finder, a tide indicator as well as the estimate time of sun rise and sun set.  If these needs are important to you, then you may want a marine gps system.

Once you decide on your basic needs and the basic concept of the type of gps system you need, then you can go on and decide other things such as:

Ease of use:

How important is this to you?  Do you need a system that basically anyone can use? 

The display function and size of the gps system

Do you care about the size?  Do you want one that is extra light weight?  Do you want one that will fit easily in your pocket or purse.

What about the display features?  Do you have to have a display unit that is colorized? 
Do you need certain sized buttons or ones that are placed in certain places?  Do you like touch screens?

Are there certain features you just have to have?

For instance, if you are purchasing a navigational system does it have to have a certain number of maps all ready downloaded or maps of a certain region?   What about preloaded points of interests?  Do you have to have one that will allow you to add customized ones, too?  Do you also need or want to be able to save the history for so many days or be able to save a certain number of addresses?

If you are purchasing a gps system that you will be using to help course your way for jogging, hiking, biking, etc reasons, do you insist on having a track back feature, a feature that will save a certain number of previous courses used for recording purposes, a feature that will allow you to track not only your speed but your distances?

What about extra features?

Are there any that you must have such as:

Audio players
Audio readers
JPEG picture readers
Compasses
Audible alarms

Finally, you need to choose on how you would like to purchase your gps system.   Do you want to purchase it at a local store (where sales people can bug you) or online (where you have to pay shipping costs and wait for your purchase to arrive).   Of course, this choice will also depend on where you live and the amount of time you have to spend either shopping locally or online.

If you decide to shop locally, remember your ideal gps system may be found at your local

Major department store
Sporting Goods store
Pet store
Electronics Store
Auto parts store
Flea markets
Trade shows

If you decide to shop online, be sure to check out:

All major department store sites
All major sporting good sites
The actual brand name sites of the gps systems you like the best (Example Garmin gps systems)
Online auction sites (Ebay)
Small online sites that sells gps tracking systems (you may find a better bargain than at the bigger sites, just type in gps systems for sale and see what appears)

Remember when it comes time for you to buy your next personal gps system the key word to remember is the word personal.  Personal means something for you.  This should also mean choosing only something you can really afford, something you really want and need, plus something you really like.   Don’t forget the like part in your choosing decision.

Tags: Battery Life, Car One, Climate, Credit Card, Estimate Time, Fish Finder, gps navigation systems, Gps System, gps systems, gps units, marine gps, Personal Gps, Sun Rise, Text Language, Tide