GPS makes navigation much easier. When you have a GPS unit and a clear view of the sky, you'll never end up lost again. There are a wide assortment of GPS units out there, and purchasing the appropriate one that fits your needs will help ensure that you get the most out of your GPS device. A device that does not work well for your requirements will usually stay at home and not get used. This article will help you determine the correct type of GPS for you so that you will get years of utilization from your GPS.



Step 1: Selecting the right type of unit

Before you get a GPS, you have to know about the various types of GPS devices available and how each can meet your needs. The important types of GPS devices 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 devices are a huge time save if you visit lots of different locations with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS units usually come with features which make operating them in a car very easy: features such as automatic route finding tell you where and when to make turns so that you don't need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS devices feature technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-reports and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan on using your GPS chiefly in your vehicle, you should consider a unit designed specifically for this sort of usage as these devices tend to come with bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld devices.

Handheld GPS systems tend to be the most versatile sort of GPS devices available. They can be used when driving, camping, hiking, really any place you can go. However, this increased versatility normally results in a device that has fewer advanced features. Since the unit 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) harder to use than 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 in your vehicle, a smaller screen may make it harder to use. If you plan on using your GPS when hiking, camping, or fishing, this is probably the best sort of GPS for you.

GPS units that connect directly to a laptop or PDA commonly rely on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced GPS functionality except for the collection of the data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is transferred to the computer or PDA, the GPS unit itself is often much cheaper than a free-standing GPS unit. However, if you plan on using your GPS for in a marine environment, camping, hiking, or backpacking, carrying around your laptop or PDA may make using your GPS device more trouble than it is worth. As such, GPS units that connect to another device are most often employed in cars and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest type of GPS unit around and you already already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the right option for you.

Step 2: Picking GPS Features

Depending on the type of GPS system your are looking for, here are some features you will want to think over.

Accuracy -- In general, GPS units have an accuracy of about 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 device. This tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS systems make it easy for you to enter a target street address. This is very handy when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS systems or units used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature configures the GPS so that it will tell you exactly where to turn to get to a programmed final destination. This is a very useful feature for vehicle devices, or devices used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the device without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.

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

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

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 Linux machine or a Mac) make sure that the GPS system can connect to the type of computer you have. Every GPS device 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 into them. This is very nice for users who travel to a wide variety of places. 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 plan to use your GPS unit with maps, you will want to make sure that you have enough memory to hold 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 PDA attached or handheld GPS device, pay close attention to the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in using your GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS units provide for an external antenna to be attached. This is very useful in vehicle systems where the satellite signal may be reduced by the unit being in a car. It can also be helpful in portable units since it allows you to keep the device in your backpack but still be operational for things like creating trails.

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

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