Compare top rated handheld and car gps devices

by editor@text4price.com @ 26 April 2006 - 16:23:33

GPS Buyers Guide

At the beginning of every big journey, I'm so full of confidence - naturally I know where I going, so it can't be that hard, can it?

Then, while you're peeling the pickles off that over priced fast-food cheeseburger, you bought at the services, you miss your exit. So you take the next one, eight miles later. But you can't get back to the motorway from that exit, and you're forced to turn left when you want to go right. Before you know it, you're lost.

Could a global positioning system or gps device save you from such an ignominious fate? Perhaps: but as with most electronic gadgets, there are various gps devices aimed at different types of user and budget levels. Here we present a guide to help you determine which gps device is best for you.

What is GPS

At its most basic, a portable gps device is an electronic instrument that pinpoints your current location on a map. GPS devices for consumers are generally available as add-on accessories for Palm OS and Pocket PC PDAs; as handheld devices used by hikers, urban explorers, and others; and as navigational systems already built into your car.

If you are looking for a gps device that does everything, you will be disappointed as there just isn’t one out there.

So to narrow down you choices you need to decide:

• What will you use it for primarily?
• How often you will use it?
• How good are you at understanding maps and grid references?
• How much do you want to spend?
  

The cheapest devices are those that just provide basic compass direction & grid reference.
Most expensive are those with a (relatively) large colour screen, voice output and have integrated and downloadable maps. These are usually for in-car navigation systems.

Make yourself a checklist of requirements so you can compare gps devices. Do you want to use your GPS for:

Hill walking? Or for golfers.

Top rated handheld gps devices will:

• need to be fairly robust
• offer altitude information
• if not waterproof then be at least rain-proof
• route and waypoint storage to help me navigate
• long battery life would be an advantage.

For navigation while motoring

• "large print" display of heading, bearing, distance.
• The ability to take power from the cigarette lighter would be useful.
• The ability to use an external aerial might be useful (weaker satellite signals don't get through the car roof).
• Good clear and loud voice instructions

How much should I spend?

Budget plays a big part in what product you go for, and you need to sometimes stick to your budget, but don't stop yourself getting the next best product by upping your budget. It's true, you do in most cases get what you pay for, so if you're going for a cheap PDA add-on solution, ask yourself what's the catch?

But aren’t they too complex?

If you are a basic beginner and do not have the knowledge of using a PDA or hate it when something goes wrong on your PC, then you really do need to avoid the PDA based GPS systems as you may find that you will constantly hit hurdles that are hard to overcome.

However, if you do have any problems, that's what our forums are for, but you may find that you get more frustrated and a dedicated PND (Personal Navigation Device) is the better route to go.

Once you've answered some of these questions, it's time to go shopping. Here are a few of our recommendations

• Mitac Mio 269 GPS Receiver
• Garmin StreetPilot c340 GPS Receiver
• Garmin nüvi 350 GPS Receiver
• Sony NV-U50T GPS Receiver
• Tomtom Go 500 GPS Receiver

Filed under: GPS Devices

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