How to Choose a GPS Unit

GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. When you have a GPS unit and a clear view of the sky, you will never be lost again. There are a large assortment of GPS devices out there, and getting the best one that fits your needs will guarantee that you get the most out of your GPS device. A unit that does not work well for your requirements will tend sit on the shelf and not be used. This article will help you ascertain the best type of GPS for your needs so that you'll get years of utilization from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the right type of unit

Before you purchase a GPS, you need to know about the different types of GPS devices out there and how each can meet your specific needs. The important types of GPS units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS unit you buy will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are getting.

Vehicle GPS units are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or visit lots of different areas with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS systems often come with features which make using them in a car very easy: features such as automatic route finding which tell you where and when to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS devices feature technology that alerts them to real-time traffic conditions and they can re-map your route based on the current traffic. If you plan to use your GPS mainly in your car, you should think about a system designed specifically for this sort of usage as these units tend to have larger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld units.

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

GPS devices that connect directly to a PDA or laptop usually rely on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is moved to the PDA or laptop, the GPS unit itself is often much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS unit. However, if you intend to use your GPS for camping, in marine conditions, backpacking, or hiking, bringing your laptop or PDA may make using your GPS device more trouble than it's worth. Because of this, GPS devices that connect to other devices are usually used in vehicles and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest GPS unit available and you already already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the right choice for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Depending on the kind of GPS device your are getting, here are some of the features that you should consider.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS units are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value (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 unit with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your GPS system. This feature is usually most useful in handheld units.

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

Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS to tell you precisely where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is a very useful feature for vehicle units, or systems used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the system without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS units come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of the United States. If you are getting a system with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for the right area, particularly if you are shopping on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded.

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

Computer Compatibility -- If you are considering a GPS unit 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 unit that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS units allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for people who travel to a wide variety of locations. It also allows you to get away with purchasing 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 unit with maps, you will want to be certain you have enough memory to support the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS systems: the more memory the better. Even better is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you will never run out of space.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a PDA attached or handheld GPS unit, pay particular attention to the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS systems allow an external antenna to be attached. This can be useful in vehicle units where the satellite signal may be impeded by the system being in a car. It can also be helpful in portable units since it allows you to keep the unit packed but still be operational for things like breadcrumbs.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices come with the ability to download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this is an incredibly helpful feature even if you know the area you are in. This feature tends to be available in vehicle devices and in PDA/computer attached systems.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are purchasing a handheld GPS device and you intend to go hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS device, think about getting a device that has some level of resistance to water. Also, know the difference between waterproof and water-resistant. Water-resistant indicates that the system can be exposed to small amounts of water but it can't be completely submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be totally submerged, you should consider a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.

GPS makes all sorts of navigation easier. When you have a GPS device and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a wide variety of GPS units for sale, and getting the best one for your needs will help guarantee that you get the most out of your GPS device. A device that does not work well for your needs tends to sit on the shelf and not be used. This guide will help you select the best type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of utilization from your GPS.

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