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GPS makes all sorts of navigation easier. With a GPS device and a clear view of the sky, you'll never end up lost again. There are a large assortment of GPS units available, and purchasing the right one that fits your needs will help guarantee that you get the most out of your GPS device. A unit that does not work well for your needs will tend stay at home and not be used. This guide will help you determine the best type of GPS for you so that you will get years of utilization from your GPS. Step 1: Picking the right type of device Before you purchase a GPS, you need to understand the different types of GPS units that are out there and how each will meet your requirements. The important types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you buy will vary dependent upon your needs, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are buying. Vehicle GPS systems are a huge time save if you drive for a living or visit lots of different locations with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS systems usually come with features which help make operating them in a vehicle very easy: features such as automatic route finding which tell you when and where to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Some vehicle GPS devices feature technology that alerts them to real-time traffic conditions so that your route can be recalculated based on traffic conditions. If you plan on using your GPS primarily in your vehicle, you should think about a system designed specifically for this kind of usage since these units tend to come with larger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld systems. Handheld GPS units tend to be the most versatile type of GPS systems available. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. However, this increased versatility usually comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the system needs to be portable, screen size is often limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as breadcrumbs, route marking, visuals, etc) more difficult to use than in a device that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a computer or PDA. If you intend on using your GPS chiefly in your car, the small screen may make it hard to use. If you plan on using your GPS when fishing, walking, or camping, this is most likely the best kind of GPS for you. GPS devices that plug in directly to a PDA or laptop commonly depend on the computer or PDA for all of the GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the data from the GPS satellites. Since a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is often much cheaper than a free-standing GPS system. However, if you intend to use your GPS for camping, in marine conditions, backpacking, or hiking, carrying around your laptop or PDA may make the use of your GPS system rather inconvenient. As such, GPS systems that connect to other devices are most often employed in vehicles and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest GPS system around and you already have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the best option for you. Step 2: Picking GPS Features Depending on the kind of GPS device your are looking for, here are some of the features you should look at. Accuracy -- In general, GPS systems are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , search for a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your GPS system. This is usually most useful in handheld units. Address Finding -- Some GPS units make it easy for you to enter a target street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS units or units used in vehicles. Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in tandem with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS so that it will tell you precisely where to turn to get to a pre-programmed final destination. This is a very useful feature for vehicle systems, or devices used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the device without having to take your eyes off the road. Built-in Maps -- Many GPS systems come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of North America. If you are buying a device with a pre-installed map, make sure you get a GPS for your area, especially if you are purchasing on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can count on roads changing during that time. Compass -- Believe it or not, there are lots of GPS devices that do not include a compass except for when you are moving above some minimum speed (often faster than a walking speed). But there are also GPS systems that provide true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature is usually most useful on handheld GPS units. Computer Compatibility -- If you are considering a GPS system that gets updated maps via a computer (which is most of them), and you are using a non-Windows computer (like a Mac or a Linux machine) be sure that the GPS device can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS system that connects to a computer will support a Windows computer. But compatibility with other operating system varies. Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS units allow maps to be downloaded into them. This is very convenient for users who travel to a wide variety of locations. It also allows you to get away with purchasing a GPS with less memory since you can easily swap out the map to fit the area you will be in. Expandable Memory -- If you are using your GPS device with maps, you'll want to make sure you have sufficient memory to support the number of maps you will wanted loaded in your GPS. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS units: the more memory the better. Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a handheld or PDA attached GPS device, look closely at the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS. External Antennas -- Some GPS units allow an external antenna to be used. This is very useful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be impeded by the system being in a car. It can also be useful in handheld systems as it allows you to keep the unit in your backpack but still be operating for things like creating trails. Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices have the ability to download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this can be an incredibly useful feature even if you know the area you are in. This feature tends to be available in vehicle devices and in PDA/computer attached units. Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS system and you plan on going hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS system, consider looking for a device that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant means that the device can be exposed to small amounts of water but it cannot be submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.
Article Source: http://www.globetrekkerarticles.com
Francis is a gadget freak. She has been using GPS receivers for upwards of 10 years. You can check out her GPS rankings at eDistiller.
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