GPS Systems and Reviews

New GPS Systems Improvements

Over the years GPS system improvements have really been for the better. Each year new innovations come into the marketplace to make GPS products even better. The real winner in this whole process is the consumer as they get better products for everyday use and usually at much lower costs than when they were first introduced many years ago. Read further and you can discover what some of the improvements in GPS systems technology has been over the years.

One of the biggest GPS system improvements has been the size of the screens that are on GPS devices these days. A few years ago these screens were usually 3.5 inches and we were very happy with that, but that has changed as we have gone much bigger now. 4.5 inch screens are pretty much the standard and some companies now make screens over 7 inches wide so you can see more of what is going on as you head down the road. The other improvement in this area is touch screen display and the colors on these screens are much better than they were first introduced. Bigger is always better especially when it comes to screen size.

More of these GPS Systems these days are being made more compact as well. Consumers are demanding products that are easy to carry and move from vehicle to vehicle. The GPS companies now make models so small they can fit in your shirt pocket or a purse as well. This means no matter where you go you can take your GPS system with you. Another great improvement is the directions these units now give you. There was a time where only the elite models had turn-by-turn directions, but that has pretty much become standard equipment on most GPS systems anymore. In fact voice prompts are another big improvement on these devices and more companies are also making this standard as well.

MP3 players and picture viewers are other innovations that these systems are also seeing. People want their GPS system to do more than just give directions and companies are doing something about it. By adding the ability to play music and show pictures it gives these units just another selling point that makes they a must buy especially if you travel a lot.

Storage space was another big issue when these GPS systems first came out. Most had very limited space so you really could not download anything else to these units. That has changed over the years by implementing SD card memory slots to these devices. What this does is let people add new things to their unit without taking additional space up as it is housed on a SD card that fits in a slot on the device. You can put MP3 files, maps or even pictures on these cards.

Other innovations in recent years have been adding things such as traffic updates and the ability to access online content to your unit. These days you can get the latest gas prices all the way to what is going on in a certain area of the country that you may be traveling too. Most of these new services carry a monthly charge, but they can really save you a lot of time down the road.

Just as Bluetooth technology has come to cell phones it has also reached GPS systems as well. By having this new technology incorporated into these units you will have the ability to make and receive phone calls through your GPS system. All you will need is a Bluetooth enabled cell phone and you are set to go. Of course you will need to check each company’s GPS system as some [phones are not compatible just yet, but the list of ones that are growing daily it seems.

Last, but sure not least is the innovation of voice activated GPS systems. Garmin GPS has introduced a voice system where you talk into the unit and it does it all for you. No more input of addresses as it charts your course through your voice. This can be a great time saver especially if you are in a hurry.

As you can see GPS system improvements have really been vast in the last few years and that trend should consider in the future.  As more innovations are issued prices on units with older innovations will drop. This is a win-win situation for the consumer. The sky is the limit with GPS technology so look for new stuff to come out all the time to make travel much easier.

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Choosing Personal GPS Systems Is Easier Than You Think

Are you scratching your head at the tough decision you have to make regarding a GPS purchase? If you have never been introduced to the world of global positioning systems, then it may be a bit perplexing at first. But don’t worry! Companies make their units very user friendly, so as long as you are open to learning the differences between types of devices, and you know what you like in optional features, then you won’t have any problems choosing personal GPS systems that suit your needs.

What Are The Differences?

The first thing you will want to do is determine whether you are looking for a system that is primarily used for mapping, navigation or tracking. While there will be many units available that combine the features, you will need know what you are mainly trying to accomplish before choosing personal GPS systems.

Mapping – If your primary goal is to have directions handed to you when traveling between destinations – and you’re good at following maps – then you will want to consider a mapping device. They are usually a little less expensive than the other types and still offer other great options like photo sharing, MP3 players, and maybe even Bluetooth capabilities. The maps may be 2D or 3D and look similar to those of online mapping services. And many even offer directories in the device so that you don’t need to know an address to a business before mapping the directions.

Navigation – Navigation devices are the slightly more advanced version of the mapping system. Whereas the mapping system will give you instructions and a map to view, navigation units actually give you turn-by-turn directions to a location, and even alert you as to whether you’re about to miss a turn or exit. Some mapping systems come with complimentary navigation services, but many do not, meaning you will have to pay more for the navigation feature. So when choosing personal GPS systems, definitely keep in mind whether you are fine with just viewing a virtual map, or whether you want to have turn-by-turn instructions. This will make a huge difference in the unit you purchase.

Tracking – Tracking devices are great for those who want to keep tabs on their cars, pets, or even family members more easily. Usually there are two parts to these units, one that goes for the ride and tracks where it is going, and the other that displays where the first device is traveling. These systems are ideal for those who have teens who drive the car and want to keep track of where they are traveling.

Determining which one of these systems meets your needs is the first step in choosing personal GPS systems. Now we will look at other uses of the units in helping you choose.

In-Dash, Portable or Handheld

Choosing personal GPS systems usually also relies on how you plan to use the device. For example, if you are primarily planning to use the device to get around town in your car, then you might want to consider getting an in-dash system that cannot be removed unless done professionally. However, if you have more than one car and you would like to utilize the services in both cars without having to buy two separate units you can take advantage of a portable device that can easily go from one car to the next.

Then there is the world of the handheld device. Handheld devices can be used in cars, or they can usually be used outside of the vehicle also. For example, if you want to go on a hiking expedition with your friends and family, you can utilize the handheld unit to get you to the area in which you plan to hike. Then, when you get out of the car, it can lead you through trails with the promise that you won’t get lost.

Usually the mapping and navigation devices are those that are either portable or in-dash, while the tracking units are typically handheld. However, there are exceptions to every rule, so don’t expect these devices to suddenly have no exceptions. 

Choosing personal GPS systems is not a difficult task if you have a basic idea of who you are and what you like in general. After you make those determinations, you can figure out the rest. There may be technical terms to get in the way that have the ability to intimidate you, or even let you allow a salesperson to sell you on a system that has way more than you actually need. But if you do your research and assert yourself during the process then chosing personal GPS systems will be a piece of cake for you.

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