| GPS Buyer's Guide - A Few Important Things to | | | | trend that is, and will continue showing up in |
| Know: | | | | portable units. |
| GPS devices are great for getting you where you | | | | This will certainly cause some technologists to |
| need to go. They're more accurate and more | | | | scream, but rarely can anyone justify the cost of |
| real-time than most GPS-enabled cell phones. | | | | the latest and greatest. Technology today, in |
| They can be used to find interesting places on a | | | | most cases, so far exceeds our real needs that |
| road-trip, find your ultimate destination, or, even | | | | mid-range products do far more than most |
| use them to get lost on John Denver's "Country | | | | people need. This is also the case with GPS |
| Roads". Of course, they can be invaluable for | | | | devices. |
| businesses all types of field personnel, hikers, | | | | As with most, if not all technology products, the |
| hunters and a plethora of other applications. | | | | price-to-feature curve gets better every year, if |
| How GPS Devices Work (In over-simplified | | | | not every day. Moore's Law, which applies to |
| terms): | | | | processors, certainly applies to GPS devices also. |
| GPS devices communicate with multiple | | | | Simply put, Moore's Law predicts that processing |
| NAVSTAR GPS satellites orbiting above the earth. | | | | power (more specifically, transistors) will double |
| By communicating with multiple satellites they can | | | | every two years. Just 7-8 years ago the price of |
| pinpoint your location, current speed, even your | | | | GPS device was prohibitive for most. Today, you |
| elevation. Using your longitude and latitude and | | | | can get good quality, very functional models for |
| map files stored on the GPS unit, the GPS device | | | | under $100. |
| can show you where you've been, where you are | | | | Here are a few differentiating features to |
| and where you're going. And the device | | | | consider before you buy: |
| constantly updates this information and is always | | | | Screen Size: Bigger is definitely better, unless of |
| one step ahead of you. However, similar to cell | | | | course, you want something to slip into your |
| phones, reception is always a factor and can slow | | | | pocket. This is one of the most obvious |
| the device's ability to pinpoint your location. | | | | differences and something you have to place a |
| True GPS Devices vs. GPS-enable Smartphones: | | | | value on. Bigger screens are definitely worth a |
| Remember, GPS devices use satellites that are | | | | premium but most manufacturers are |
| orbiting above the earth. GPS-enabled | | | | standardizing on a few different screens sizes. |
| smartphones rely on fixed-location cell phone | | | | Generally, larger screens will cost more money so |
| towers. Smartphones approximate your location | | | | you have to decide if this particular feature is |
| based on the location of a cell phone tower. GPS | | | | worth your money. |
| devices pinpoint your location based on multiple | | | | Text-to-Speech: Text-to-Speech is now common |
| orbiting satellites. The bottom line: In an increasing | | | | on all but the lowest end devices. It's a hugely |
| number of states, you can't use your smartphone | | | | convenient feature and makes for much safer |
| as a GPS without risking getting a ticket. An | | | | driving. Most devices, except for the lowest end |
| although GPS-enabled technology of cell phones is | | | | models, and for most driving applications it is |
| getting better, it seems cell phone service is | | | | worth any extra cost you may have to pay. |
| getting worse, so for serious users, I would stick | | | | Auto Re-Routing: This is a great feature and not |
| with a GPS device. | | | | having it can be a pain in the neck. This feature |
| It's the Law - Don't Put Yourself at Risk | | | | will automatically re-route you if you take a |
| States are now enacting new laws that make it | | | | detour, accidentally or on purpose. Generally, one |
| illegal to use your cell phone as a Nav device while | | | | or two touches of the screen and 5 seconds later |
| you're driving. The COST OF A TICKET would | | | | you will have new directions to steer you back on |
| easily pay for a new GPS...and then there is the | | | | course. |
| hassle and points on your license. | | | | Bluetooth: With Bluetooth capability you can match |
| Don't put yourself at risk - Buy one of these | | | | your GPS to any Bluetooth-capable phone to |
| good-performing, competitively priced systems. | | | | make hands-free mobile phone calls. This may be |
| One thing is certain, with the array of products on | | | | a redundant feature for most people. |
| the market today you can find one with the | | | | Maps...Maps...all-important MAPS! |
| features you need at the price you want to pay. | | | | Make sure the product you are considering |
| Portable or In-Dash | | | | includes street-level maps for the areas you will |
| One of the first decisions you have to make is | | | | use it most. Most products in the U.S. feature |
| whether to buy a portable or in-dash device. No | | | | built-in maps for the lower 48 states, but you |
| doubt, the in-dash systems look better in your | | | | may find that Alaska and Hawaii, as well as |
| car because you don't have wires to tangle with, | | | | Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico are not included. |
| power adapters in your cigarette lighter and | | | | For most, this is not a problem but if you're one |
| suction cups hanging from your windshield. But | | | | of the few that needs these extra maps, factor |
| they don't have the portability aspect (but | | | | that extra cost into your decision. |
| remember, they can still be stolen). One important | | | | Keep in mind that roads (and just as important, |
| note: If you go the in-dash route, definitely opt | | | | interchanges and entrance and exit ramps) are |
| for professional installation unless you have done | | | | always changing. It's a good idea to keep your |
| this type of work before. On the other hand, the | | | | maps updated. Another consideration is purchasing |
| portable devices can be moved from car to auto | | | | a product with "life-time maps". You will begin to |
| to boat to 4-wheeler. Yes, you have wires and | | | | see more promotions that include life-time maps |
| suction cups and such, but the portability aspect is | | | | and it's just a matter of doing the math to decide |
| key for many buyers. | | | | if it is worth the price. Life-time maps definitely |
| Increasingly, portable devices are similar in | | | | add value and convenience. |
| features and functionality to more expensive | | | | Generally, the best-selling systems include name |
| in-dash models, with the added benefit of being | | | | brand maps that can identify one-way streets, |
| easily transportable. Many easy-to-use portable | | | | dead-ends and other "nuances" of the road. A |
| models now offer reliable service and excellent | | | | couple of the top map providers are Navteq and |
| coverage using internally-stored maps and are | | | | TeleAtlas, and there are many others that |
| ready to use right out of the box. Take a look at | | | | provide up-to-date, quality maps. Make sure you |
| these two models: The Garmin Nuvi 205 and the | | | | are buying a product with one of the good quality, |
| Tom Tom XL 340. Both models have screens | | | | well-known mapping products. It doesn't matter |
| that are not just big, but beautiful, and both are | | | | how good your GPS technology is if your maps |
| touch-screens. Both models are easily | | | | aren't updated and accurate. |
| transferrable to different vehicles and provide | | | | Summary |
| text-to-speech (voice-guided) directions and both | | | | Of course, the more features and functionality, |
| are priced right around $100. | | | | the more you will likely pay for your GPS. But as |
| There are many other products in the "Under | | | | technology goes, so goes GPS systems and each |
| $100" category. Like cell phones and cameras, | | | | day more "premium" features are becoming |
| sometimes these low-end models deliver the | | | | standard at lower price points. Street-level maps |
| functionality you need and are incredibly simple to | | | | are not available across all price points. |
| use. In most cases, with a few touches to the | | | | Text-to-speech is work down to lower price |
| screen you can find fuel, lodging, restaurants, | | | | points as well as point-of-interest databases for |
| parks or the Grand Canyon. | | | | things like restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, etc. |
| At the other end of the scale is the "connected" | | | | Four GPS systems with consistently good |
| GPS. These are the end-all, be-all of the GPS | | | | reviews: |
| world. These products are so packed with | | | | Garmin Nuvi 1690 - nice features, good |
| features it would take a page to list them, and 10 | | | | performance and the Nulink service really sets it |
| pages to describe them. Two examples of these | | | | apart, giving users up to the minute data for |
| top-end products are the Garmin Nuvi 1690 and | | | | safety, convenience and entertainment. |
| the Tom Tom Go 740 Live. | | | | Tom Tom 340 XLS - few advanced features in a |
| One difference between this class of GPS and | | | | mid range product at a very appealing price. A |
| some of the mainstream products is the addition | | | | trend you will see continue. |
| of integrated cellular data capability which gives | | | | Magellan RoadMate 1470 - Large screen and low |
| them full-time access to the Internet. This allows | | | | price combined with a very competitive feature |
| the GPS device to report up-to-the-minute traffic | | | | set. |
| data, fuel prices, local weather, etc. One thing to | | | | Garmin Nuvi 205W - Best price, yet this is still one |
| be aware of is that the access to this information | | | | of the best choices available - a good, solid, fast |
| typically isn't free - generally you have to | | | | product for less than $100. |
| subscribe. Some of the flagship in-dash models | | | | Follow the link below to see them all together |
| also feature voice-activation which can accept | | | | along with the latest prices. |
| spoken street and destination inputs. This is a | | | | |