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Gps Survival Guide
By Buster Carnelli
GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. With a unit and a clear view of the sky, you will never end up lost again. There are a large variety of devices available, and getting the right one for your needs will help ensure that you get the most out of your unit. After all, a unit that does not work well for your requirements tends to stay at home and not be used. This article will help you select the correct type of for your needs so that you'll get years of usage from your GPS.
Step 1: Selecting the right type of device
Before you buy a GPS, you need to understand the various types of devices that are out there and how each can meet your requirements. The primary types of units are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of unit you purchase will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should consider will vary based on the type of device you are buying.
Vehicle devices are a lifesaver if you drive for a living or make trips to lots of different areas with which you are not familiar. Vehicle units usually come with features which make operating them in a car very easy: features such as automatic route finding which tell you where and when to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle units come with technology that makes them aware of real-time traffic conditions and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan on using your primarily in your car, you should look at a unit designed specifically for this sort of usage since these devices usually have bigger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld systems.
Handheld systems are the most versatile type of devices available. They can be used when camping, walking, driving, really any place you can go. But, this versatility usually results in a system that has fewer advanced features. Since the entire device needs to be portable, the screen size is often limited and this can make many features of a (such as breadcrumbs, route marking, visuals, etc) more difficult to use than a system 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 primarily in your car, the small screen may make it less safe to use. If you plan on using your when fishing, hiking, or camping, this is most likely the best type of for you.
GPS devices that plug in directly to a PDA or laptop often depend on the PDA or computer for all of the advanced functionality except for the gathering of the data from the satellites. Since a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the computer or PDA, the system itself is often much cheaper than a free-standing device. However, if you plan on using your for camping, in marine conditions, backpacking, or walking, bringing your PDA or laptop may make using your device more trouble than it's worth. As such, units that connect to other devices are more commonly used in cars and for people who navigate by foot in cities. If you are searching for the cheapest unit around and you currently already have a GPS-compatible PDA or computer, this may be the optimal option for you.
Step 2: Picking Features
Depending on the type of device your are getting, here are some of the features you will want to examine.
Accuracy -- As a general rule, systems are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is something you value , search for a unit with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) as this at least doubles the accuracy of your system. This feature is usually most useful in handheld units.
Address Finding -- Some devices let you to enter a target street address. This is
very handy when driving and is a feature most often found in vehicle units or units used in vehicles.
Automatic Route Finding -- This is most often used in conjunction with address finding. This feature configures the to tell you precisely where to turn to get to a programmed final destination. This is a very useful feature for vehicle devices, or systems used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the system without having to take your eyes off the road.
Built-in Maps -- Lots of devices will come with maps that are pre-installed; for example, all of the United States. If plan to buying a device with a built-in map, make sure you get a for your area, especially if you are buying on-line. Also, make sure that the map can be upgraded.
Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are units that do not have a compass unless you are traveling above some minimum speed (often faster than a hiking speed). But there are also systems that provide true compass functionality even when not moving. This feature is usually most useful in handheld devices.
Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking at a 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 system is compatible with the type of computer you have. Every device that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But support for other operating system varies.
Downloadable Maps -- Many devices allow maps to be downloaded onto them. This is very convenient for users who travel far-and-wide. It also allows you to get away with getting a with 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 device with maps, you'll want to be certain that you have enough memory to support the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with systems: the more memory the better.
Extended Battery Life -- If you are going to be getting a PDA attached or handheld device, look closely at the battery life as this may be the limiting factor in your usage of the GPS.
External Antennas -- Some devices allow an external antenna to be used. This can be useful in vehicle devices where the satellite signal may be reduced by the system being in a car. It can also be useful in portable units as it allows you to keep the unit packed but still be operational for things like breadcrumbs.
Traffic Alerts -- Some systems include the capability to wirelessly download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this is an incredibly helpful feature even if you are familiar with the area you are in. This feature is most often available in vehicle systems and in PDA/computer attached devices.
Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are purchasing a handheld device and you intend to go boating, camping, hiking, fishing, or doing anything outside with your system, consider looking for a system 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 will be submerged, you need a waterproof GPS, not one that is water-resistant. Buster is a lover of electronics. He has been using devices for more than 10 years. You can look for his GPS reviews at gps-rankings.com.
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