How to Pick a GPS Unit

GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. With a GPS unit and an unobstructed view of the sky, you will never be lost again. There are a variety of GPS units for sale, and buying the right one that fits your needs will ensure that you get the most from your GPS unit. A unit that does not work well for your requirements tends to sit on the shelf and not get used. This guide will help you determine the right type of GPS for you so that you will get years of employment from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the correct type of device

To start, you need to know about the various types of GPS units out there and how each can meet your needs. The major types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you buy will vary based on your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of unit you are purchasing.

Vehicle GPS units are a lifesaver if you make trips to lots of different areas with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS devices may also come with features that make operating them in a vehicle very easy: features like automatic route finding tell you where and when to make turns so that you can keep your eyes on the road where they belong. Some vehicle GPS systems 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 consider a system designed specifically for this type of usage since these devices usually have bigger, easier-to-read, screens than most handheld systems.

Handheld GPS devices are the most versatile sort of GPS units for sale. They can be used when walking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. But, this versatility commonly comes at the cost of advanced features. Since the device needs to be portable, 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 device that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a PDA or computer. If you intend on using your GPS principally in your car, a smaller screen may make it hard to use. If you intend on using your GPS when camping, fishing, or hiking, this is probably the best type of GPS for you.

GPS devices that connect directly to a PDA or laptop often rely on the computer or PDA for all of the advanced GPS functionality aside from the collection of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Because a lot of the functionality is moved 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, 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 people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest type of GPS device around and you currently have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the optimal option for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Based on the sort of GPS unit your are buying, here are some of the features you should look at.

Accuracy -- In general, 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), search for a unit with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of a GPS device. This feature is usually most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS devices let you to enter a specific street address. This is very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle GPS devices or units used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in tandem with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS so that it will tell you where to turn to get to a pre-programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle units, or units used in vehicles, as it allows you to use the device without having to take your eyes off the road.

Built-in Maps -- Many GPS systems will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of Europe. If plan on getting a system with a pre-installed map, be sure you get a GPS for your area, particularly if you are buying on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be updated. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can be certain of roads changing during that time.

Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are lots of GPS units that do not have a compass except for when you are traveling above some minimum speed (usually faster than a walking speed). But there are GPS systems 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 for 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 Linux machine or a Mac) make 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 computer. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Many GPS devices allow maps to be downloaded into them. This is very convenient for users who travel far-and-wide. It also makes it easier to buy 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 be certain 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 units: the more memory the better.

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

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

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS devices have the capability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this can be an incredibly helpful feature even if you are familiar with 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 unit and you plan on going boating, camping, hiking, fishing, or doing anything outside with your GPS unit, consider looking for a device that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant means 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 a water-resistant one.

Buster is a lover of electronic devices. He has been using GPS devices for over 10 years. You can read his GPS ratings at gps-rankings.com.

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