What to look for in a GPS before you spend your dollars:

If you are confused with all the GPS products now available in the market and cannot decide what to buy, you'll be very comfortable in making the right decision by the end of this article. But remember the key is to pinpoint the fetaures that you absolutely need in a GPS system and then choose a unit that provides you atleast those in your provided budget.

Since there are no fees associated with GPS use, essentially the only things you need are a GPS receiver and batteries. There is, however, a wide range of GPS units available, with various features and options you may want to consider. Depending upon your personal needs, intended uses and budget, you'll have to decide which features suit you best.  

Most Important GPS Features to Consider:

Unit Type

GPS units may be expressly designed for particular applications such as automotive, general outdoor, aviation or marine use

Combination Units

2-in-1 combo units, combine GPS receivers with a handheld PDA/GPS or a 2-way FRS/GMRS/GPS radio

WAAS-Enabled

Improves accuracy to about 3 meters 95 percent of the time

Touch-screen Navigation

Simplifies navigation by putting it on-screen rather than accessing buttons

Voice Prompts

Audible prompts provide turn-by-turn directions

Free Memory

The amount of free memory determines how much space you have for installation of optional mapping software

Basemap Units

Receivers with built-in mapping software, such as U.S., North American or European highways, lakes, rivers, cities, airports

Mapping Units

Receivers with ability to download detailed map data from CD-ROMs, providing greater street-level data, such as restaurants, banks, gas stations, marine navigational data, off-road trails and more 
  
 Waypoints

The ability to store a number of "waypoints" or given points along your route, somewhat analogous to bookmarking favorite Web sites on the Internet

Routes

The ability to store and recall entire routes you've chosen, including all of their waypoints and precise directions and reverse directions along those routes

Track Logs

The ability to generate a concurrent travel log as you go

Alarms

Audible warnings for approach, arrival, off-course, waypoints, shallow or deep water

Screen

Most GPS screens these days are easily readable high-contrast LCDs, color screens add vast detail

Trip Computer

Additional calculators to display travel data such as odometer, current speed, average speed, trip timer and trip distance

Water-Resistance

After all, it's an outdoor device: a waterproof or water-resistant housing is an important consideration

Buoyancy

Some GPS units will float, a potentially important consideration for boating, rafting or fishing

Dashboard Mount

An important consideration for automotive or marine use. It always helps if it's included in the package you intend to buy.

You may want to have all these features in your system. But which ones will you use the most? Those are the ones you really need. Why spend a lot more for something you really are not going to use a lot. But if money is not a problem you should treat yourself with the best unit in the market, with all these great features why not make life easier?

Good Luck!

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