GPS Systems and Reviews

Awesome portable gps

Things to consider before buying a portable GPS device

portable gps
Portable gps devices are quite convenient.  You can take them anywhere.  This is the number one reason why many people wants one, especially those who are into such sporting activities such as hiking, hunting or camping.  

Since they are affordable many more people are able to buy them now.  Yet, before you go off and buy one you should consider a few things.

First, you should understand how a GPS device works.  GPS stands for global positioning system.  It works through a computer system and satellites which orbits the Earth.  Together, these computers and satellites can pinpoint a precise destination, person or find directions to a certain spot.   They can do these by tracking simple radio, computer or other modem technologies. 

GPS systems was first introduced by the Defense Department for military purposes.  But now they have advanced to the consumer market as well.

A portable gps system is one that can be carried around easily or moved from point to point easily.  They can come in a number of sizes.  They also have a variety of capabilities. Of course, the more functions a unit has, the chances are the more expensive it is to purchase.

Before you go shopping for your next or first portable GPS device, it is a good idea to actually think about the capabilities or functions that are actually necessary for you and your needs.   By doing this, you may be able to fight the urge to buy a more expensive model, with extra functions, that aren’t really necessary for your use.

One thing you should realize is the fact that you may have to purchase a higher price device to get a good signal.  All GPS systems must have a clear access to the sky in able to work properly.  If buildings, trees or vegetation blocks that access, the system can not function or signals will drop off and on.   If you plan on spending a lot of time in these types of areas (for instance hiking in a forest), then you may need to purchase a GPS device that has a higher frequency level and this means that it will more than likely have a higher price tag as well.

What else should you consider?

What about the time in which it takes the GPS device to start?  Some systems, even the portable ones, will start quicker than others.  Some have what is considered a long or cold start up time.  This means it could take a few minutes before it is up and running.  Are you the patient type?  Will this annoy to no extreme?   Inquire about the start up time when purchasing a model.

What about the time it takes to charge the battery or batteries?  Most portable GPS devices will run off of the common AAA battery or a built in rechargeable battery.   You should inquire about how long it takes for the battery to charge and the estimate time of life for the battery or battery charge.  Generally, the first charge will take the longest amount of time.

Mapping capabilities is definitely a consideration that must not be overlooked.  This is how you will find your way from place to place.  You need to not only be able to understand it.  You need to like the size of the screen, the format, the color and even the style.   Colored screens usually cost more than the black and white ones do.  But most people prefer these because they say they are easier to understand and read.

You should also inquire about how the unit is able to update its mapping functions.  The two basic ways that portable GPS devices do this is by connecting to a computer or a flash memory card.  (Generally speaking those units that can connect to the computer to update their map functions are usually cheaper than those that uses flash memory cards).

You should also consider the type of device you want.  You can choose from such devices as:

Pocket sized portable GPS which usually runs from recharegable batteries.  These can also be used in automobiles.

PDA’s devices which are equipped with GPS capabilities.  These usually run on rechargeable batteries.

Cell phones that are equipped with GPS capabilities.   These are also run from rechargeable batteries.

If you are considering buying a new or your first portable GPS system, you will be glad to know that you won’t need to hire anyone to install anything.  You just turn the system on and it is ready to go.  You also don’t have to pay any activation fees or monthly payments.  If you choose to purchase a subscription such as traffic information, satellite or weather information, then you will have a subscription price.

Your final consideration is this.  Would a portable GPS system make you feel more secure the next time you are out on the hiking trail or looking for that cool vacation site?

 

 

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Whistler WGPX-650 GPS Versatile With Many Features

Most people will remember Whistler as the company who made some of the best radar detectors ever. Well they have transferred that knowledge and other things they have learned into the GPS market and with some great success. One of the models that have been getting great reviews is the Whistler WGPX-650 GPS unit. Today I thought we would see how this model stacks up and what it can do. Read further to discover if they are going have success in the GPS market as well.

I was interested to see how well this model from Whistler would perform because they have a reputation of producing quality products so I was hoping this would be one of those. The first thing out of the box you notice is the nice design of the Whistler WGPX-650 GPS Unit. Once turned on it did get a fixed pretty quick on the satellites so that was something I really liked. Nothing is more frustrating than having to wait a long time to start getting the information. This model comes with an anti-glare 3.5-inch color screed with touch screen. The screen is bright and easy to read and a 266 MHz processor means it should be very fast so the information will be processed quickly. Many times when a company comes into the GPS market the first mistake they make is using a very slow processor. I was glad to see whistler did not do that.

Several great features are part of the Whistler WGPX-650 GPS unit that really makes it stand out. Turn-by-turn directions are something that many people really like and I can say I am one of those. It works well on this model and it seems that it was very accurate as well. Your also give access to millions points of interest including restaurants, hotels, and ATM’s. The list is very vast and you should have no probably finding a place to eat or fill up with the lists that they have provided. A few of the advanced features that really stand out for me were the Navteq mapping speed alert lets you know when you’re going past the speed limit. When people travel a lot of times they just do not pay attention to how fast they are going. They want to get to their destination and that is when a speeding ticket happens and can ruin any trip. Luckily, this will help you control that so it does not happen. Speeding is something we try not to do, but it happens to all of us. This feature will help curb that so you can enjoy your trip even more.

The Whistler WGPX-650 GPS unit has many great things going for it, but I really wanted to see how it would work in the field. I took it on a few trips and I was very surprised how well it did work. It never steered me in the wrong direction and the turn-by turn worked excellent which is something I really liked on this model. The screen was bright and I could see everything and the anti-glare screen was another big plus for me. The touch screen on this model is easy to use and it is user friendly. Nothing becomes more frustrating than when it takes a long time to input information. This one is easy to operate and you should have no issues at all with this model.

Overall, I will freely admit this is a very good value for the money. When I first saw this unit I was a little skeptical, but it did produce some great results in the time I used it. The Whistler WGPX-650 GPS unit is a very affordable and a solid performer. If you’re looking to get into a GPS unit and you want a product that will give, you trouble-free operation and easy to use than this is the model for you. Whistler may not be a household name when it comes to GPS units, but it will only be a matter of time before that happens. This model has so many great features and at a good price you definitely cannot go wrong with the Whistler WGPX-650 GPS. Grab yours today and take it on your next trip so you can see what I am talking about. This solid performer will get you from Point A to Point B without any problems at all. In fact, you will be thankful for the time it will save you traveling.

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