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How to Choose a GPS Device

GPS makes navigation much easier. When you have a GPS device and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a variety of GPS devices out there, and getting the right one that fits your needs will ensure that you get the most from your GPS device. A unit that does not work well for your requirements tends to stay at home and not get used. This article will help you select the correct type of GPS for your needs so that you'll get years of usage from your GPS.

Step 1: Selecting the correct type of unit

To start, you have to understand the different types of GPS devices out there and how each will meet your requirements. The important types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you buy will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of device you are getting.

Vehicle GPS units are a great benefit if you visit lots of different locations with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS systems often come with features which help make using them in a vehicle much easier: features such as automatic route finding which tell you where and when to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. Some vehicle GPS units even come with technology that alerts them to real-time traffic-reports so that your route can be recalculated based on traffic conditions. If you plan on using your GPS mainly in your vehicle, you should look for a device designed specifically for this type of usage since these units usually come with bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.

Handheld GPS devices are the most versatile sort of GPS systems for sale. They can be used when walking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. But, this versatility ordinarily results in a unit that has fewer advanced features. Since the system needs to be portable, screen size is usually limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as map visuals, route marking, breadcrumb trails, etc) more difficult to use than a system that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a computer or PDA. If you plan on using your GPS chiefly for driving, a smaller screen may make it hard to use. If you intend on using your GPS when camping, fishing, or hiking, this is most likely the best type of GPS for you.

GPS units that link up directly to a laptop or PDA often rely on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the computer or PDA, the GPS unit itself is usually much cheaper than a free-standing GPS system. However, if you plan on using your GPS for hiking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, bringing your PDA or laptop may make using your GPS unit more trouble than it is worth. Because of this, GPS systems that connect to other devices are more commonly employed in cars and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS device available and you currently already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the right option for you.

Step 2: Picking GPS Features

Based on the type of GPS device your are purchasing, here are some features that you will want to look at.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS systems have an accuracy of about 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you (perhaps you are laying out a course for a race and you really want to make sure you get the 5K distance correct), look for a device with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) since this doubles the accuracy of your GPS unit. This tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS units allow you to enter a specific street address. This can be very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS systems or devices used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature configures the GPS to tell you exactly where to turn to get to a pre-programmed final destination. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle units, or devices used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the device without having to take your eyes off the road.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS units will come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of Europe. If you are buying a device with a built-in map, make sure you get a GPS for your area, especially if you are purchasing on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be upgraded.

Compass -- Believe it or not, there are GPS devices that do not include a compass except for when you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a hiking speed). But there are also GPS units that include true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature is usually most useful in handheld GPS devices.

Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at 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 Linux machine or a Mac) be sure that the GPS system can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS system that connects to a computer will support a Windows computer. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS systems allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for people who travel far-and-wide. It also makes it easier to buy a GPS that has 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 will want to be certain 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 systems: 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 devices allow an external antenna to be used. This is very helpful in vehicle devices where the satellite signal may be impeded by the unit being in a car. It can also be useful in portable systems as it allows you to keep the unit in your backpack but still be operational for things like creating trails.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices come with 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 units and in computer/PDA attached systems.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS device and you plan on going fishing, backpacking, hiking, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS device, think about looking for a system that has some level of resistance to water. Also, be aware of the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant means that the unit can be exposed to small amounts of water but it cannot be completely submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be completely submerged, you should consider a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.