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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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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