GPS Buying Guide

GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. With a GPS unit and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never be lost again. You may not know where "here" is, but you will know you are there. There are a variety of GPS devices out there, and buying the right one for your needs will help ensure that you get the most from your GPS unit. After all, a unit that does not meet your needs tends to sit on the shelf and not be used. This guide will help you determine the right type of GPS for you so that you will get years of usage from your GPS.

Picking the right type of unit
To start, you need to understand the various types of GPS devices available and how each will meet your needs. The major types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA/computer attachments. The type of GPS device you buy will vary based on your needs, and the features you should look for vary based on the type of device you are buying.

Vehicle GPS systems are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or make visits to lots of different areas with which you are not familiar. Vehicle GPS devices usually come with features which make using them in a car very easy: features such as automatic route finding which tell you when and where to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS devices even come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic-report so that your route can be recalculated based on traffic conditions. If you plan on using your GPS primarily in your car, you should consider a device designed specifically for this type of usage since these units tend to have bigger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld units.

Handheld GPS units are the most versatile type of GPS devices available. They can be used when driving, camping, walking, really any place you can go. However, this versatility usually comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the entire unit needs to be portable, the screen size is usually limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as map visuals, route marking, breadcrumb trails, etc) harder to use than a unit 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 primarily for driving, the small screen may make it hard to use. If you plan on using your GPS when hiking, camping, or fishing, this is probably the best type of GPS for you.

GPS devices that connect directly to a PDA or laptop usually depend on the computer or PDA for all of the GPS functionality aside from the gathering of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Since a lot of the functionality is moved to the computer or PDA, the GPS unit itself is usually much cheaper than a stand-alone GPS device. But if you plan on using your GPS for hiking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, taking your laptop or PDA may make the use of your GPS unit rather inconvenient. As such, GPS devices that connect to another device are usually used in cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS device available and you already have a GPS-compatible PDA, this may be the right choice for you.

Picking GPS Features
Depending on the type of GPS unit your are purchasing, here are some 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. 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 used in vehicle units or units used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS to tell you exactly where to turn to get to a pre-programmed final destination. This is a very useful feature for vehicle units, or units used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the unit without having to take your eyes off the road.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS units will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of the United States. If you are buying a unit with a built-in map, make sure you get a GPS for the right area, especially if you are buying on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can count on roads changing during that time.

Compass -- Believe it or not, there are GPS units that do not include a compass unless you are traveling above some minimum speed. But there are also GPS units that provide true compass functionality even when stopped. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld GPS devices.

Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at a GPS unit that connects to a computer (which is most of them), and you are using a non-Windows computer (like a Mac or a Linux machine) make sure that the GPS unit is compatible with 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 -- Many GPS devices allows maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very nice for people who travel far-and-wide. It also allows you to get away with buying 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 units with maps, you will want to make sure you have sufficient memory to support the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS devices: the more memory the better. Even better is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you will never run out.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be buying a handheld or PDA attached GPS device, pay close attention to the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS units allow an external antenna to be used. This is very useful in vehicle units where the signal may be degraded by the unit being in a car. It can also be in portable units as it allows you to keep the unit packed but still be operational for things like creating trails.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS units have the ability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you live in an urban area, this can be an incredibly useful feature even if you are familiar with the area you are in. This feature tends to be available in vehicle units and in PDA/computer attached units.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are buying a handheld GPS unit and you plan on going hiking, camping, fishing, boating, or doing anything outside with your GPS unit, consider getting a unit that is resistant to water. Also, know the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant means that the unit can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically cannot be completely submerged. If there is a chance your GPS will be completely submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant.