You’ve heard that new sport, geocaching, is fun. Or, you’re tired of getting lost on your travels. Welcome to the 21st century. Global Postioning System (GPS) has been around long enough that prices are reasonable and the technology is user-friendly. With myriad brands and models, how to choose?
If you want a GPS for both hiking and driving use, then a handheld unit would be the way to go. Some handhelds even have accessories to allow them to be installed in an automobile. But don’t rule out a PDA. More on that in a moment. For driving only, there are GPS receivers made just for vehicle use.
Handheld GPS receivers are either mapping or non–mapping. A basic, non–mapping unit can often cost less than $100 US and usually has/displays the following:
Location Compass heading Elevation above sea level Accurate time Satellite location and signal strength The ability to calculate distance traveled The ability to record your path as a set of waypoints The ability to navigate routes The ability to retrace your steps
Handheld mapping receivers do all the above plus have the ability to display maps. The maps are either pre–loaded or uploaded from your PC. Prices are reasonable for mapping units, starting at around $150 US.
Paper maps are strongly recommended whether you’re using a mapping receiver or not. Paper maps do not require batteries and probably won’t go defective. Also, a paper map gives you a “big picture” view of your situation — something lacking on the small screen of a GPS.
I mentioned earlier your considering a PDA with GPS capability. A PDA is bulkier and the battery life is usually shorter, but if you’re using a PDA anyway, then there are several ways to turn a PDA into a GPS. Some PDAs accept a GPS “sleeve.” That is a device that the PDA nestles into. Another choice is one of Garmin’s PDAs. Garmin is probably the most popular GPS maker and they have one PDA/GPS that is Palm–based and one that is Pocket PC–based.
Prices for automotive GPS start at around $250 US. These provide turn–by–turn guidance. Spend a little more than that and you get voice guidance. These are larger than handhelds in order to accommodate a screen large enough to be seen while driving. They are powered by the car’s electrical system and because of this, they can only be used in a vehicle.
Many automobile manufacturers now offer built-in GPS receivers as an option. Because they are built-in, the big advantages are security and aesthetics. They are quite a bit more expensive than add-on units and often have fewer options. I’ve also heard some stories of people having a hard time getting map updates.
A PDA/GPS is a good alternative for automotive use. Its screen is about the size of an automotive unit, so seeing the display is not a problem. They can also be powered by the car, eliminating battery worries. The Garmin PDAs mentioned above both come with the hardware and software for automotive use.
If you’re hiking, a basic handheld unit (without maps) will be fine since you’ll always have paper maps with you anyway (you will, won’t you?). An advantage to a handheld mapping unit is that they usually have more advanced features than the basic units. For driving, you have the choice of a handheld, in–car dedicated, or PDA. The handheld does have limited usefulness in a car, as it does not provide turn–by–turn guidance. For a more detailed look at how to choose a GPS, click here.
By: James Chartwell
Posts Tagged ‘Automotive Gps’
How to Choose a GPS
December 9th, 2009Who Needs An Automotive GPS?
November 23rd, 2009
A better question would be: who doesn’t? It’s a total no-brainer if you travel by car a lot. But GPS even comes in handy if you just drive around town. Like most guys, I hate to ask for directions (hey, they are generally useless anyway), and with a GPS I don’t have to.
Remember those old American Express commercials where they said, “Don’t leave home without it?” I feel the exact same way about GPS. I have one in each of my cars and I have another, small one I picked up at an online GPS store a few months ago that I take with me when I travel. The latest units take hardly any space at all, and they really come in handy when you’re in a strange place and don’t know your way around.
Truth be told, I used to be a GPS skeptic. Early units were often so complicated that you needed a degree in computer science to use them, and the mapping software was almost impossible to figure out. I thought GPS was okay – for those who already knew where they were going in the first place. And those people obviously didn’t need a GPS. But the progress in Global Positioning Systems technology over the last three or four years has been phenomenal. Between the much better maps, new features, smaller units, and vastly better ease-of-use, I am a believer now.
Today’s GPS units are just too convenient and useful not to have one in your car. My latest one even plays music, shows photos, and lets you play games. GPS has become so simple and reliable that I even use it around town, like when I need to pick up something at a store or mall I haven’t been to before. I’ve also used GPS to find ATMs, my favorite types of restaurants, and parks, airports and museums when I travel.
I also like other features that you generally find in most modern GPS units: They display how fast you’re going and I compare that to the (optimistic) speedometer in my car. They tell me how far I am from my destination, and how long it is likely going to take me to get there. I can even enter my preferences, such as using highways, avoiding toll roads and so on. And some of the latest models show everything in 3D, which I find more useful than just looking at a map. Finally, some units can be used not only in cars, but also when you go hiking or geo-caching.
So if you don’t have one yet, buy a GPS. Check them out on the web. In my experience, it’s easiest to find a GPS online. Many GPS websites offer both new and refurbished systems in different categories, like automotive, marine, recreational and so on. When it became time to find a GPS for my car, I did my research first, and then bought from a GPS store on an auction site. One of the units was refurbished, but like new, and I bought it at greatly reduced cost. The other was new, but I won the auction and got it for a steal.
By: Chris Robertson
