GPS Systems and Reviews

cheap portable gps systems

Tips on finding cheap portable gps systems

cheap portable gps systems
You want to save money.  We all need to cut corners where we can.  Yet, we still want some luxuries and we still want to enjoy our life.  For that reason, we need to learn how to become more savvy shoppers.  Here are some tips that savvy shoppers uses when they are finding and searching for cheap portable gps systems.  Maybe you can use some of their tips, too.

First, realize that you can’t totally scrimp on your needs.  Think about it for a moment.  If you are really wanting a portable navigational gps system with certain specifications such as maps of a certain region, you won’t be satisfied if these are not included or if you can’t download them.   You might also want a portable gps system that is waterproof.  If you know for a fact, you will be spending a lot of time outside with the system and possibly even on boats, this is an essential need.  If you don’t get a system that caters to this need, the system you buy will fail quickly and you will be disappointed, plus you have just wasted a bit of money.

How do you really know what needs you want?  First, you stop and think.  

Thinking and evaluating one’s needs is something a savvy shopper always does.  

Get out a pen and paper and begin writing down the basic needs and capabilities you must have in your new portable gps system.  Think about such things as:

Durability (is this an issue?)
Size
Weight
Number of maps downloaded
Regions of maps downloaded
Points of interests
How the system records speeds
How the system records history and for how long
Location and size of the buttons
Should the display also have touch screen capabilities

Knowing some of the basic needs and capabilities you want, will help you decide which portable gps systems are best for you.

Now that you know a little bit about what you want, you might want to take a few more moments and do a little bit of research on the popular brands and styles.  This will give you information on which systems performs the best and which ones are the easiest to use.  It will also give you an idea on what the current prices generally are for each device, by model name and brand name.  This will help you to see if you are getting an average price or a cheap price for any system you consider to purchase.

You are now armed with a lot of useful information.  It is time to actually for that cheap portable gps system.  Where to begin?

How about online?

There are many online sites that cater to gps systems, even portable gps systems.  Some of these sites are electronic sites, name brand department store sites and even the actual maker of the gps system itself. 

Are you surprised to learn that you can find cheap prices at the brand name maker of the gps tracking portable device you are most interested in purchasing such as Garmin?  Really you shouldn’t be surprised.  Think about it.  Who else but the actual company who makes the gps system could offer a better deal?

Once you enter the site first look to see what the current deals are.  Most sites will have ongoing sales and sales that will last for a certain period.  Be sure to check these out and then look for a link where you can sign up for their newsletters.  These newsletters will appear generally in your email box and will not only announce new products, but may announce sales.

Finally, look for links for other online sites where the company sends their listed or refurbished merchandise.  These links may take you to other online sites or may appear as addresses to local stores near you.

What are refurbished or listed merchandise?

Refurbished merchandise is returned merchandise that has been tested by the factory and has lived up to all of its standards.  If repairs were needed, they have been completed and tested.  Now it lives up to the factory’s full standards.

Listed merchandise is merchandise that is a bit outdated, maybe by a month or a season.  This merchandise is sold at a cheaper price than it originally did.  The difference between it and the current selling model could be an extra feature or two, or it could be a small difference in style or color.

You can also find many cheap, yet, fully functional portable gps systems at online auction sites and  for sale message boards (Crigslist, etc.).

If you wish to shop locally, start your search at a local buyout store that features electronics.  Next try your local department store and finally if you have no luck check out your local sporting goods store, auto parts store or electronic store.  Be sure to look over any of their advertisements and fliers for sales, too.

Finding cheap portable gps systems can take a bit of work.  But when you end up saving money, yet still getting the quality equipment you wanted in the first place, you will be glad that you took the time to put fourth the effort.
 

 

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Refurbished gps systems

Refurbished gps systems may save you money

Refurbished gps systems

If you are on the market for a new gps system and your budget is tight, you may want to consider purchasing a refurbished gps system.  What is a refurbished gps system, you may ask?

A refurbished gps system is a gps system that may have been returned, but has been updated and tested by the factory who manufactures the system.  These systems are cost effective because they come with all the functions, capabilities and accessories as do their counter parts, but at a much lower price.

If you are a consumer that likes warranties, have no fear.  Most refurbished gps systems do come with factory warranties; they just are a little shorter than normal selling gps systems.  Most stores will also honor store return and exchange promises when selling refurbished gps systems.

Your next question may be where can you find refurbished gps systems?

If you are shopping online, first check out the brand name sites.

Many brand name sites for many products including gps systems will offer links to other online sites or even local retail stores that sell refurbished or listed price items.  Garmin.com is one such example.  

Sometimes these links are a bit hard to find.  Look at the bottom of the pages or even at the sides.

You may even find bargains such as refurbished products by signing up for newsletters of many online sites.  Yes, newsletters will be sent via to your email box.  But this is a great way to find bargains and when you aren’t interested it only takes a moment to click them away from your email account.

Finally, don’t forget about auction sites.  Auction sites are great places for wholesalers to sell their merchandise.  Wholesalers know the great bargain of selling refurbished merchandise.

If you would rather shop locally, have no fear, many of your local retail stores, may sell refurbished merchandise, including gps systems.  You may begin your search at large outlet stores or even speaking to the sales people at your local electronics and sporting good stores.

Refurbished merchandise is always labeled with a sticker stated that it is a refurbished item.  This helps a consumer to distinguish them from a product that has not been factory restored.

Just be sure to check out all return polices and warranties when buying any refurbished model.

What else should you consider when purchasing a refurbished gps system? 

You should consider the same facts as you would when purchasing any gps system.

How much can you afford to spend?

What type of unit do you need?  Do you want one for navigational driving purposes or other navigational purposes such as coursing jogging maps, marine type activities, etc?  Do you want one for tracking purposes?

What types of mapping capabilities do you need?  Do you need all ready uploaded maps of all fifty states?  Do you need maps that have certain points of interests or that you can customize?  Do you need maps that include tide warnings and coastal information?

What about the display feature?  Do you want one of a certain size?  Does the size and location of the buttons matter to you?  Do you need color prompts? What about lightning?  Does it need to be able to perform in all types of lightning?

Do you plan on using the system outdoors?  Does it need to be waterproof?  Does it need to be durable? 

Does it matter what size the system itself is?  Do you want one that is small and portable? Does it need to fit in your pocket or purse?

Do you prefer a model that is dash mountable and has bigger map features?

Do you require a gps system that has rechargeable batteries with a large life span?

What about ease of use?  Do you need a gps system that is really simple to use because you really aren’t that good with electronic devices?

Do you wish to have extra built in features such as?

Audio players
Audio readers (except to pay for a subscription)
JPEG picture viewers
Compasses
Audible alarms

Do you need a system that has a great memory and can keep your history for a long amount of time?

Do you need a system that can hold many addresses?  Do you know how many?
As you should be able to see, a refurbished system may be able to meet all your needs and wants.  Plus, a refurbished system can save you money.  In this day and age, a product like this should make even the pickiest shopper happy? 

 

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