GPS Systems and Reviews

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.

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Mini GPS Tracking Systems Provide Security

Being able to track the whereabouts of belongings and even family members has become a great asset to people on the run. Sometimes you have to let your children drive the car to get errands accomplished and don’t have time to worry about whether they’ll veer off track – even though you know they might. And the fear of your vehicle or prized possession being stolen, while a horrible thought, cannot sit at the forefront all the time. So what do you do to keep yourself from worrying about these issues when you have a life to live? Many have found that investing in one of the many mini GPS tracking systems on the market make their lives much easier.

What are the Benefits of Mini GPS Tracking Systems?

Mini GPS tracking systems are slightly different than the tradition portable or handheld systems that you may be accustomed to. Most devices have screens that you can look at and they either map out directions for you or help you navigate through a city, or even wooded area. There are some tracking systems on the market also have screens and they let you show you on an LCD display where your car or other belonging has gone in real time, or it can even help you track where fish are located when on water.

The smaller devices, however, a little bit different because they are used to track where you are going and they allow you to download the information when you reach your computer. Similar to a memory stick in appearance, they are very small and can be placed in your hand, pocket, purse, or other place to store items. During the time you’re walking, driving, running, or moving at all, these devices pick up and store your routes and can all be viewed later by simply inserting the stick into your USB port and rounding up the data.

They are beneficial to customers because they are so small that you don’t ever have to worry about dropping and breaking them – or someone wanting to still yours for that matter. In addition, they are easier to handle while still getting the job done. 

Products on the Market

There are several companies that offer mini GPS tracking systems. To help you begin your search for the right system for you, I’ve listed a handful that have different features so that you can begin to create a checklist of what you really want and need then spend your money on the best device for you.

Track Stick

Track Stick created a system that is about the size of a memory stick, fitting in the palm of your hand, but can work anywhere around the world. It maps exactly where it has been and records its own time, date, location, speed, direction, and altitude. It has 1MB of memory that can be stored at a time, so it will need to be loaded onto a computer once the maximum is reached so that you can continue recording data. All of the information is loaded onto your computer through your USB port, which is great for those who hate having to load additional software with each piece of hardware they buy. With this device, you simply plug, load, and read.

Mini GPS Tracker Professional

These mini GPS tracking systems are also pocket sized and have an internal computer than can accurately determine its location within 2.5 meters, recording all of the data every second. It does come with additional software, but with this software you can determine exactly where a person with the device has traveled, how fast they drove, where they stopped, and for how long they stopped. Once you upload the information from the stick, it displays all of the data on a street map, through satellite images, or in a text report. 

The device stores up to 100 hours of data and is water resistant (though not water proof) so that you can have it outdoors in the rain without the threat of damage.

Understanding the difference between mini GPS tracking systems and the standard devices is very important before you start shopping. If you are not interested in having a device with a screen attached then don’t waste your time or money buying one. Mini GPS tracking devices have a single purpose of tracking where the device, and whatever made it move, has been. If you keep that in mind when you shop for your device, you are sure to be happy with your purchase.

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