Especially if you're buying the GPS unit as a gift, you want to be sure you get the right one.
There are so many features these things have that comparing them can seem a little overwhelming. I think I can make this job a lot easier for you.
All of those confusing features actually break into two groups--features that every GPS unit has and then extra features that are going to cost you more money. Let's look at what features are shared by all GPS devices first.
(I'm talking specifically about after-market, automobile devices, not hiking GPS systems, watch GPS's, or anything else.)
All GPS devices can do the following:
* Figure out where you are and calculate how to get you to where you want to go. * Show you where you are on a touch screen. * Tell you how to get where you're going with voice prompts. * Come pre-loaded with maps (at least regional maps). * Give you a choice of 3-D or "bird's eye" view of the maps on the screen. * Come pre-loaded with thousands of destinations, such as gas stations, hotels, and hospitals.
Next, let's talk about the things you have to pay extra for.
Some companies have features that are specific to them. For instance, many Magellan GPS devices come with the AAA Tour Book pre-loaded (for AAA members only). I love AAA, and for me that would surely be a good feature to have.
Some other company specific features are voice commands, coming out soon on Garmin devices, and user-generated content about locations of things and other destinations on Tom Tom's devices.
Extra features you can find through virtually any GPS line are:
* Actually telling you the name of streets instead of just saying "Turn left!". * Choice of a larger screen--4.3 inches along the diagonal. * Maps of Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Mexico, or Europe. * Ability to integrate with your cell phone via Bluetooth. * Ability for the user to enter multiple destinations at one time. * Mp3 capability and also audio-book capability. * Database of points of interest (POI's) that's in the millions, instead of a few hundred thousand.
When you group the features this way, the problem of comparing GPS devices becomes a lot more manageable.
Now that you are armed with this information, it's time to actually visit some sites and find out which GPS unit is the right one for you.
In order to figure out which of the many GPS systems is best for you, you need to compare GPS units in some logical way. To do this you need to first understand what is being offered and how much that's going to cost you. If you know your budget, you can narrow down the selection quite a bit. After that, it's just a matter of fine tuning what extra features you want.
By GPS units, I mean the kind you attach to your car's windshield, not the kind you take hiking with you. There are a lot of GPS systems out there and finding the right one seems confusing at first. In this article, I'm going to focus mainly on systems built by Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan, since they are the biggest manufacturers.
All GPS units keep track of where you are and calculate routes to where you're going. Here's a list of what virtually every GPS device can already do. Think of this as standard equipment.
All GPS's
* Give you directions with voice prompts. * Have a touch screen. * Have different views or representations of their maps. * Include a database of Points of Interest (POIs). * Come with maps of the lower 48 states. * Automatically calculate your best route.
This is all great, but it's the extra or optional features that are the real kicker!
According to how much you want to pay, you can get:
* Spoken street names, instead of just plain voice prompts. * A larger 4.3-inch screen--measured diagonally. * Maps of Europe, Canada, and Mexico. * Incorporate Bluetooth. * Tell you real time traffic and weather. * Can be used as a digital picture viewer, audio book player, or mp3. * Have a much larger POI database.
What you really need to do now is to figure out how much you're willing to pay, and then see which makes and models will fit your budget. Let me give you a few examples.
A basic GPS costs $200 or less. For that you can buy a really nice unit from Garmin, Tom Tom, or Magellan which can do all of the basic features listed above. Three possible models are the Garmin nuvi 200, the Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition, or the Magellan Maestro 3100.
If you don't need Bluetooth for hands free calling, or directions that actually say the name of the street (but which do say "turn right," or something to that effect), then a basic unit may easily be all you need to buy.
If you want all the bells and whistles, then you're going to have to pay more. The top of the line unit that Garmin makes costs in the neighborhood of $900, but it can do everything for you except tie your shoes. (They have a model coming out next year that can do just that! Just kidding!)
GPS units are great and there are a ton of other features you can get with these devices. What you need to do now is decide on your budget and get online and shop.
Lee Cole has sinced written about articles on various topics from GPS Vehicle Tracking, Computers and The Internet and GPS Vehicle Tracking. To read more great , check out my website. Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at. Lee Cole's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.