Choices
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.
Choosing Your First GPS System
If you travel often than you will surely sometime in your lifetime have the need for a GPS system. Do you hate reading maps, asking for directions or just tired of plain getting lost than a GPS Navigation system is something that you will want to invest in that is for sure. These systems take the hard work out of mapping out your next vacation or your weekend getaway so you can enjoy it even more. Gone are the hassles of making those wrong turns or trying to find those darn points of interests. Now what happens if you know nothing about these systems does not worry as we have a quick guide to get you up to speed in no time at all. Let’s get started so you can go into your next trip without all the hassles you are use to.
First we need to know a little about GPS systems before we go any further. These systems come in various sizes and models and are used to map out your trip, find points of interest in the shortest and fastest time possible. These are constantly updated so you will have the most up to date at your fingertips, which is want we want anyway. It leaves nothing to chance as it will even list restaurants so you and the family will know where your next meal maybe coming from. Now first you will need to decide which type you may want. There are handheld models that you can carry with you and ones designed for your vehicle as well. It depends really how often you’re going to use it when you eventually make your model choice. If you use it a lot and travel than in-dash model will probably fir you better. Just for an occasional use than maybe a portable one is better suited for you.
Now you will need to decide what features you will want in your model and this is very important, as you will have a vast array of choices to choose from. If you get an in dash model than you do not need to worry about one with a built-in battery. Portable models have these rechargeable battery types built in and you will want to get one of those if portability is something you want in your model. Text to speech capability is also something that you will want. The big advantage of this is instead of having the unit say turn right or left you get the actual names of the streets or highway. This means you can always know that you are heading in the correct direction.
Avoiding traffic is something else that we want to do when we go on vacation so this is a feature that you will want to incorporate into your model. The traffic mode will let you know where the accidents are and how to get around them. This will make your commute much easier and a whole less stressful than ever before. Just like other forms of radio though the traffic system sometimes cannot always be updated as quickly as possible, but it still is a feature you will want.
Most of the full-featured models have many add-ons that really take your GPS system to the next level. Some of these things include a Bluetooth hands-free telephone hook-up, MP3 player and an iPod connection along with an FM transmitter. One thing that you may want to look into if you travel abroad and that is getting World mapping features included. Some models these are standard while others they are not so that is something you will want to look into that is for sure.
Size is also something you will want to look at no matter if you get in-dash or portable. If you go with an in-dash model you want something that does not stick out that way you are not a target for anyone. If a portable model is to your liking than going small is probably best as it will be easier to carry and pack when you are going on trips.
As you can see GPS systems can and will make your life much easier. It seems every month new systems are coming out and they are always being updated with the latest technology. Most of these systems are becoming more affordable so price should not be an issue anymore. If you want to ditch the map and enjoy your trip more than GPS is definitely the way you should go to get the most out of a vacation.
