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.
 

 

Tags: Ads, auto gps, automobile gps, best gps systems, Boats, Cheap Gps, cheap gps systems, cheap portable gps systems, compare gps systems, Durability, Few More Moments, gps navigation systems, Gps System, Little Bit, Luxuries, Maps, Money, Pen And Paper, Portable gps systems, Savvy Shopper, Savvy Shoppers, Screen Capabilities

Cheap Portable GPS Systems

Where to find cheap Portable GPS systems

Cheap Portable GPS Systems
We all want to save money.  We all actually need to save money in this day and age.  Yet, we want what we want.  For this reason, we need to learn how to become savvy shoppers.  We need to learn the secrets to shopping with success.  You can do this and you can find exactly what you need, including where to find cheap portable GPS systems.

First, to be a savvy shopper you need to know exactly what you want.  Okay, you want a cheap portable system.  That sounds good.  But you need to know more than this before you go shopping.  You need to know such things as:

What capabilities must you have?
What size do you need?
Is there a certain weight limit?
What about mapping capabilities?  How many maps do you want it to save at a time?  Do you need it to include maps of the United States as well as Canada and Puerto Rico?
How does it have to download additional maps through a USB port or a serial port?  Does this even matter?
Do you need extra functions such as a working compass, an alarm, sunset and sunrise times, speed readouts?
How many waypoints would you like to set per map?
Does points of interests matter to you?
Do you need the unit to work in a variety of lighting settings (including night)?

By knowing your real wants, you can narrow down the models and types that interest you the most and weed out the ones that don’t.  But do remember the more extra functions you add to your want list, the higher the system may cost you.

Now that you have your list you can begin your search.  Many people likes to begin their shopping searches online.  These searches are quicker and won’t cost you and gas mileage.  Where to begin?

You could begin at the official websites of the brand name GPS system you would like to own. This would give you the opportnity to check out the regular prices.   Most sites will also have links that will send you to other online stores and even help you find local retail stores that sells their brand name products at discounted or list prices.   The Garmin Brand site for one has such a listing.  You can find them at www.garmin.com.

Next you could browse some online electronic or sporting goods stores.   Check out their weekly bargains to see if they by chance have a portable GPS system that would fit your needs for a cheap or discounted price.

While you are at some of these sites, you may also want to sign up for their weekly or monthly newsletters.  Many of these will contain announcements of upcoming sales and even coupons that can save you money, possibly even on a portable GPS system someday.

Of course, you don’t want to forget the auction sites.  Sites such as amazon.com, ebay.com and even yahoo.com have many electronics for sale at some amazing prices.  Just be careful and read all the ads thoroughly.  Check to see if the seller offers any return policy and see if you can find out about the sellers past performance.  You can easily do this on ebay.com.  You may also want to stick with buying from actual ebay stores or other stores that are connected to the auction site instead of regular individuals.  Stores are more likely to give you a warranty period.

Should you use comparison sites such as Froggle.com, Bizrate.com or Pricegrabber.Com?  That question is up to you.  Yet, beware of the fact that you don’t always get the information on the merchandise you search for and you don’t always get the cheapest prices found on the internet.  In fact, many times these sites will actually steer you to other sites that are selling products at full retail price instead of discounted or cheap prices.

You should also never rule out your own local electronic, sporting goods or department stores when it comes to finding a bargain.  You can find many sales items in their weekly flyers.  Be sure to check these out as well as any coupon offers they may advertise.

Finally, don’t forget about checking out refurbished products.  You can sometimes find refurbished portable gps systems at cheap prices.  Refurbished items are generally checked thoroughly before offered for sale.  They are also generally sold with a small warranty period. 

Refurbished GPS systems can be found almost anywhere GPS systems are sold, including online sites, auction sites and at your own local retail stores.

Yes, you can save money when buying cheap portable GPS systems.  This doesn’t mean that you are buying a system that is inferior.  In fact, most likely you are buying one that is comparable to the retail version in all ways but price.

Tags: Ads, Brand Name, Canada, cheap gps systems, Compass, garmin gps, Gas Mileage, gps navigation systems, Gps System, gps systems, Lighting, Mapping Capabilities, Maps Of The United States, Mileage, Models, Portable gps systems, Puerto Rico, Savvy Shopper, Savvy Shoppers, Serial Port, Sunset And Sunrise, Sunset And Sunrise Times, System Sounds, Usb Port