GPS Systems and Reviews

GPS Overload Tips to Avoid This from Happening

GPS navigation systems seem to be everywhere anymore and new ones are being introduced monthly. With the 100 of units available, how do you start to choose one? Most people give up and just grab one that looks nice or is affordable to them. This means that they may not be getting the most for their money and even an inferior product. We have done a little research and have compiled some tips to help you get the best unit possible. Read further to discover what we learned and the tips you need to follow when buying your next GPS unit.

Buying GPS navigation system seems like it would be very easy to do, but in reality with all the options available, you could be buying a unit that you really do not need. Most salespeople are paid on commission and they will sell you what will make them the most money. The bottom line is they want to earn a living as well. This is why you need to know all you can about GPS units before you even go into any electronics store.

A first tip is you need to decide where you’re going to use the unit. Will it be in the car only? Alternatively, will you use it on trails or water? These questions need to be answered first before you will be able to determine which direction and model you will want to take a closer look at.  Car devices are usually mounted in the vehicle and many are becoming portable so you will be able to move it from car to car. If you go for a car type GPS make sure you get auto-correction feature that way if you do make a wrong turn the unit will recalculate your route and you will not ever get lost even with a wrong turn. Some of the more popular ones for the vehicle that I recommend are the Garmin c330, c340, and the c530 series. All of these are great models with plenty of features that you will love.

If you are like most people and you love the outdoors than probably a trail GPS unit is what you may need to take a closer look at. These are usually handhelds, which depict topographical or basic mapping data not the detailed street versions that you get with car models. These types are great for hiking and geocaching as well. The big advantages of these is the ability to mark waypoints so you will be able to recall where you are and even if you do get lost the unit will be able to figure a route to get you back to the waypoint without any trouble at all. The prices on these devices come in all price ranges so finding one within your budget should not be a problem at all.

If you’re a boater or on the water a lot than you will want to get a GPS that is especially made for the water. These fixed mounted devices have detailed mapping software designed for the water. You will be able to download different maps depending what you will be using the unit for. GPS on the water can also mark waypoints as well and do many great things. You will be hard pressed to find a boat these days that do not have these on it.

Some other things you will need to understand and that are mapping software are usually updated once or twice a year. Maps on the water though are not updated as often as others. With handheld units, you will want to pay close attention to the battery life of these units. Some will last much longer than others. This is something that you will want to take a real close look at.

As you can see, these units do many different things from being used in your vehicle to use on the water. More and more people are learning that GPS technology is the way to go and in the long run they are actually saving money by buying a unit. With gas prices soaring anyway you can save a few bucks is worth it. GPS gives you the ability to stay on course and getting lost will be a thing of the past. No more folding up maps also is a plus in many people’s books as well. Grab your GPS unit today and see why millions of these electronic gadgets are sold annually in the United States alone.

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Never Get Lost Again by Using Auto Gps Systems

There is nothing worse than visiting an unfamiliar location only to find yourself lost. Even if you have a cell phone, it can only help so much if the people you call have no idea where you’re going. In the past, you had to rely on maps, and hopefully a nearby convenience store or restaurant where you pray a knowledgeable and helpful person will guide you in the direction you want to go, but if you want to ensure you don’t find yourself in this unsettling predicament, you have to make sure to take extra precautions. For many, this means purchasing auto GPS systems that are always accurate and can help to stay on track when in unfamiliar territory.

What are Auto GPS Systems?

These unique systems were originally created as devices to be used by military officials. They are satellite-fed devices that give real-time information on your surroundings and are great for tracking, surveying, navigation and mapping. However, over time, people saw how great they were for personal use, so companies adapted them to a “home version” and made them available (and eventually, affordable) for civilians. Now people use these small devices in their homes if they want to survey their property; or even if they want to plant a small device in their car with a corresponding screen in their home that will allow them to watch and track where their car is going if it is stolen. However, most people use these devices in their cars to map driving directions.

Standard Auto GPS Systems

The standard systems are those that have basic features, such as map directions from point A to point B. Say for example you want to find out how to get to a new restaurant on the other side of town. Normally, you punch in the directions on MapQuest then either write them down or print them. This is a great way to find out where you are going without much hassle. However, if you don’t have access to the computer at the time, or a wrong turn was taken, you will still need directions. By having one of the standard auto GPS systems in the car, you can enter the addresses into the systems and the device will map it out right on the screen. You don’t have to worry about holding a map in your hand while driving. 

Auto GPS Systems with Navigation

These systems are one step above the standard systems in that they offer a navigational feature that not only gives you the highway and street maps, but also gives you turn-by-turn directions based on addresses you enter, directories for hospitals, restaurants, car services and many other points of interest – and they even have a voice prompt and other alerts that let you pay attention to the road while driving.

Of course, the added features come at a cost. Typically, by going with the navigational version, you have to buy additional software that allows the device to transmit information from a satellite feed in real time. However, if the added features sound inviting to you, there’s nothing wrong with paying a little bit more for what you really want.

Top Systems

Like any other product that becomes instantly popular, you will find over time that everyone will put out one too, making it increasingly difficult to determine which is great and which is a fluke. However, the below devices have come highly recommended by reviewers of auto GPS systems, and would definitely be worth your further investigation.

Garmin Nuvi 660 – These devices are considered high-end for their price (ranging from $550 – $700) and their innumerable features; but most argue that if you can afford one of these pricey models, you are definitely in for a treat. Not only are the easy on the eyes, with a stylish look, but they have wide screens for easy viewing, FM transmitters that allow you to hear your voice prompts and alerts through the speakers of your car stereo, theft-prevention features, and a Bluetooth wireless connection to link you directly to your cell phone. These systems have the highest recommendation from both reviewers and most consumers due to their reliability and real-time accuracy, so if you feel these features fall within your scope of necessity, you might want to give one a try.
TomTom GO 720 – The TomTom GO 720 is another device that comes highly recommended by reviewers of auto GPS systems – both expert and novice. The device containing the system has a great look that many customers navigate toward, and they are not disappointed when they use the system itself and find that it is has all of the great features of standard systems along with a Map Share community tool that gives its customers constant map updates that are loaded in real time. In addition, it has a safety option that lets you seek help without the necessity of a cell phone – an option not deviating far from the idea of OnStar. 

HP iPaq rx5900 Travel Companion – Many customers like these devices because they work as a PDA as well, keeping track of schedules and appointments. Of course, as a computer company, they have to show their chops a little with this extra feature, but their showmanship doesn’t come at the expense of a great product. Like the others on this list, it is noted for its reliability and accuracy and also had a great look that compliments most vehicle styles. It is also set up similar to a PC, which makes it easy for most customers to use – not bad!

No matter where you are in the world, you can use auto GPS systems – whether standard or navigational – to pinpoint your location on the map, so to speak, without ever needing a paper map again. The convenience and security this offers is worth the money you might spend on the product itself. Because, as many have discovered for themselves, auto GPS systems are not only cute and sleek, they are a major upgrade from the traditional map and allow for safe navigation in your area and beyond – and that convenience is priceless.

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