GPS Systems and Reviews

Buy GPS Systems

What to think about when buying GPS systems

Buy GPS Systems
So you decided to join the new age and buy your first GPS system. Congratulations.  Now you must decide on what type to buy.  To help you in this decision, here are a few things to consider.

Why do you want this system?

Are you buying one for navigational purposes?  If you are, where will you be using it the most? Will it only be used in your car?  If this is the case, you may want an auto tracker.  But will you also want to use it when hiking, biking or running?  If so, you may want something that is more portable.

But then again, think about how you bike, run or hike.  Is this just a leisurely type of activity that you do on occasion or are you a type of person who takes this really seriously?  Are you training for an event?  Are you really trying to improve your fitness level or time?  Is this the main reason you need a GPS unit? 

Yes, the purpose of the unit is the main thing you need to know before purchasing.  If you don’t know the main reason why you will be using it, you won’t know what features you will need.

If you say you need it for driving and you drive more than one vehicle, than a portable GPS unit that has mapping capabilities may be what you need.  You might want maps that have all the major highways all ready preprogrammed.  You might want to be able to find out instantly (in real time) what areas are congested with traffic.  You might want to be able to chart your driving course, know the approximate time it will take you to get to point a to point b and finally to your destination.  You might even enjoy some extra features like being able to receive voice command direction turn for turn, finding out about the gas prices in the area and even fun points of interest. 

Yes, you are able to buy GPS systems that have all of that included and even download software programs that will give you more functions.

You can also buy systems that will make your sports life more enjoyable by allowing you to chart your course, save your course onto a computer for viewing and editing, as well as estimating the time it should take you to run, hike or bike the course.

Knowing why you want this system is your first important decision.

Now that you know why you want it, you should start thinking about the functions you want. 

For instance, is it essential that it is easy to use?  Do you like units with easy to find buttons?  What about how the programs and information is downloaded?  Do you need this to be via a USB port or a serial port?

Then there is the display function?  Do you prefer color?  Most people say color displays are easier to read?

Keep these types of functions in mind.

What type of device do you want?

Do you wish to have a PDA with GPS functions added onto it?  A cell phone with GPS additions?  A GPS wristwatch?   A basic handheld GPS unit and or tracker?

Now analyze your budget.  What can you afford?  Can you afford a monthly subscription?  Yes, some services may require this.

Do the math before you go shopping.  This makes it easier when choosing models, brands and types of devices.

Where and how do you want to shop for this system?

Do you prefer to do your shopping online?  You can review many products without being bothered by a salesperson.  You can also read reviews left at many sites by previous customers.  Many sites even offer live operators to help you.

Do you prefer to do your shopping locally at an electronic store, sporting store or department store?

Maybe you would like to compare prices before you actually shop.  You can do this easily online and at your local stores, by calling ahead and asking about prices.

Remember you can also save money sometimes by checking out sale items both online and at your local stores.

You should also consider how important warranties are to you?

Most local stores and online stores will offer you a small limited warranty.  Is factory warranties important to you or does the option of buying an upgraded warranty appeal to you?  Ask about your options when it comes to warranties and what they cover and entail.
By knowing what you want and having a game plan before shopping, you end up with a better deal and you end up buying something that is more to your liking.  You should do this with all your major purchases, including GPS systems.

 

 

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Compare gps navigational systems

How should you compare gps navigational systems?

Compare gps navigational systems
How should you compare gps navigational systems?   Where do you start?

Should you start with price?

Do the most expensive gps navigational systems mean that they are the best in functions and capabilities?  Or are they just overly priced systems?

Do the prices on the sales priced gps navigational systems mean that they will soon be replaced with newer models or are inferior products?  Do reduced items mean that something is wrong with them or that you just got a good deal?

Do you compare gps navigational gps systems by the various functions and capabilities that each one has?

Do you start out by looking at the simple things such as the display unit itself on the gps navigational system?  Should you compare such things as?

Size
Slimness
Weight
Placement of buttons
Color scheme
Various lighting settings and how they operate in each?
Size of the buttons
Resolutions sizes

Do you compare the basic functions that each navigational gps system may have and the ability each may have on tracking you’re:

Speed
Distance
Time spent between distances
Estimated time it takes to arrive to next destination

Do you then compare the mapping capabilities such as?

How many maps are all ready downloaded?
How many points of interests are all ready downloaded?
How easy it is to add more maps and how many are you allowed to add
How easily and how many more points of interests can you add
The actual way you add more maps and points of interests
Does the map allow for reverse trackback modes?

Should you compare the different ways directions are given and the ease of understanding, such directions as?

Turn by turn directions
Speech to text directions
The ability to hear spoken directions via the speakers of one’s cars

Should you compare the extra capabilities and functions that some systems may have that others do not such as:

Audio players
Audio book readers
JPEG viewers
Blue tooth capabilities
Compasses
Calculator
Measurement tools

Should you compare the different possible brand names that the navigational gps systems are manufactured by such as Garmin?  Do these brand names mean that the system is better than the unknown brand? 

Do you feel more secure by buying a brand name product?

Should you compare navigational gps systems by the reviews and ratings that are given to each by many popular websites and magazines?  

If you choose to read and take those reviews as truth, pay close attention to such details as:

Who wrote the review (a writer, a real expert, a customer, a seller?)
Is anyone benefiting from the review (possibly a seller?)
Is this a true review or an advertisement disguised as one?
Was the review written by true customers?

Consumerreports.com is a great place for reading unbiased reviews.   They won’t even accept products by manufactures to be given tested.  They buy their own.

Amazon.com offers reviews by real customers.  But those reviews are placed clear toward the bottom of the page.  The top of the page is a description of the product written clearly for selling purposes, in hopes of landing sales.

Should you compare products by their sales quotas?  Do the products that actually sell the best mean that they are better products or are just advertised better?

Should you compare products by what your friends and family consider the best products?  

Should you compare products by what the experts say are the three biggest selling points?

Price

They suggest you work out a budget and figure out what you can easily afford to spend first.   This will keep you from overspending and help you to pick out the product (in this case the gps navigational system) that fits your spending needs.

Ease of use  

The experts all agree that if the product is hard to use or too complicated, we will become frustrated and soon we will grow weary of it.  Sounds true. 
Plus, if the product isn’t easy to use, it really has no purpose to us and will eventually just collect dust.

Accuracy

This is very important when it comes to a navigational gps system.  It has to be able to find the exact addresses we need.  It also needs to do it efficiently.

Actually, you should compare all the above the things.  It is the best way you can ensure that you are getting the gps navigational system you not only need, but want and at the best deal possible.  If you are able to do that, you will be happy with your choice and in yourself.

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