GPS BUYING GUIDE   We do agree with you that buying and finding a GPS or Navigational device can be difficult and time consuming. We’ve spent a lot of time in researching everything you need to know about GPS receivers and what Global Positioning System is. Let us give thanks to the U.S. Department of Defense for developing, maintaining and hosting the GPS Satellites. They originally designed GPS Satellites for military purposes. Now, people around the world are really starting to use GPS more and more. Soon enough, people will realize how they got around all this time without one. Back in the seventies, when the U.S. Department of Defense developed the GPS satellites, they really made twenty four satellites that surrounds and tracks the earth every 12 hours. Basically, your GPS receiver gets the signals from the satellites. The GPS satellites know your exact location and can also track your location in which you’ve been already. Therefore, it can display mapping and direction data on the device.  When considering a GPS device, you also have to take in consideration some of the trusted names in the business like Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan, Cobra, Lowrance and Navman. It does not mean devices from these names in the business would be more expensive either. Basically, there are Automotive GPS units which are meant to be in the car which has maps or softwares built in that gives out data for directions in voice prompts. There are softwares that you can download for mapping directions. These softwares that include voice prompts are really convenient because you can be focusing on the road while driving and not getting distracted at all. Some of the most popular in car navigational units are the Magellan Roadmates, the Tomtom in car navigational gps units and of course the Garmin Nuvi units. There are handheld GPS units which are extremely convenient and which you can take it anywhere with you, in car, hiking, biking and more. Some of these devices include the Garmin Forerunner series, the Garmin iQue series, and the Magellan explorist. There is also another line of GPS devices which are considered as Marine GPS devices. These devices are used for boats and sailing that gives out maps for directions for onshore and offshore. They are more capable than just giving directions. They also have functions such as locate fish and predict tides. Some examples of these devices are the Garmin GPSMAP 430SX, the Magellan Meridian Marine Handheld GPS, the Garmin GPS 72 GPS receiver, the Garmin GPSMAP 440, the Garmin GPSMAP 192c, and more.   So, what makes one GPS unit different than the other? Well, it depends on a lot of different factors like how detailed they are in terms of providing maps and how fast and how accurate they are when they display maps for waypoints, streets, conditions of the environment. The following factors are important to know before buying a GPS unit:  ·       If you are looking to just get around in finding a place, then a basic GPS unit would work just fine. This is generally what users want out of a GPS unit anyway. What we mean by “Basic Unit" is that some GPS units are capable of displaying great detail of maps on a particular area or landmark and as well as surrounding areas, streets, conditions of the environment and more. GPS units depend on maps that come with the device. A lot of times you can download additional GPS maps onto your device. ·       Earlier we mentioned how a GPS device can differ on how fast and accurate they can display information or data. How fast they output data depends on the number of channels a unit has. The more channels a GPS unit has, the better in reception. Reason being is that the channels of the unit communicates with the GPS satellites which in turn picks up more satellites. In car GPS units such as the Garmin Nuvi series or the Magellan Roadmate series are a primary examples of the units that will pick up more and more satellites. ·       Another thing to consider is to see how much empty space it has or can have to save locations, waypoints, or landmarks, similar to a memory slot of a computer. Some Navigational devices can also be scalable which means they can be upgraded to be more compatible and more capable.   ·       First of all, are you going to get an in car GPS unit or a  handheld GPS? Well, here are some of the things to consider when choosing between a handheld GPS unit or an in car GPS unit. Are you on the road a lot of time such as sales reps, real estate agents, delivery drivers or are you outdoors a lot and would like to use your device for hiking, biking, sailing as well on top of being able to use it while driving? If you think you will use it everywhere, then a handheld GPS unit works best in your situation. If you think you would only use it while driving, then an in car GPS unit is for you. Here are some things you can consider about handheld GPS units:They are portable and mobile, that way you can take it anywhere with you like driving to the important meeting of yours or sailing, biking, hiking and etc. They are made small enough that you can carry it in your backpack or pocket and also some of them come in watch type shape where you can wear it on your wrist. Since these handheld GPS units are meant for different uses like sailing and fishing, they are waterproof. They are very long lasting and dependable. They are easily usable. Handheld GPS units tend to be less in price in comparison to in car GPS units.  Here are some of the things you can consider about in car Navigational units: They are much larger in size and screen size than the handheld ones so it’s a lot easier to read. This is helpful while driving. The car built in navigations systems are very strong in mapping capabilities. Voice commands that help you stay focused on the road. The reception is great because they tend to pick up more satellites. Some of these units are still portable! They have sophisticated mapping capabilities.