GPS handheld devices offer a variety of features that you’ll find helpful. Functions include the ability to give directions, track where you’ve been, to give the present location, and the distance to the next destination.
These handheld units are ideal for those not familiar with a neighborhood, or unsure of street names, and landmarks. Locating a destination on your travels is often difficult if you don’t speak the language of those around you. A GPS system can assist in finding a destination that much easier than locating someone that’s able or willing to give directions.
GPS handheld devices can also operate in conjunction with a fully functional PDA unit, such as the 535v Traveler GPS manufactured by Dell. If on the move and in need of data or the latest schedule, names of people that you’ll be meeting, use the personal digital assistant. You can surf the internet and access email on-the-go using these machines.
Manufactures such as Dell, Garmin, Navman, Asus, Pharos offer a great selection of mobile devices for those that are always on the go. Having a GPS receiver will help in reducing the number of missed meetings due to relying on poor directions or no directions at all. Handheld products combine a variety of different features into one compact machine. As technology advances, so will the dependence of traveling with these products.
It’s important to take care and maintain these machines in order that they remain fully functional. Each manufacturer offers a maintenance and repair service, in addition to customer support to guide you in solving problems or issues along the way.
Those that travel often depend on these GPS handheld devices for a variety of reasons. It’s necessary to be kept informed as changes in a schedule happen, kept up to date on where heading, and to easy communicate with the office as and when information is needed.
By: Carlton Leigh
Posts Tagged ‘Garmin’
GPS Handheld Devices – The Benefits of GPS Handheld Units
November 3rd, 2009Tips on Buying the Best Auto GPS Units, Part II
October 30th, 2009
In Part I of this series, we discussed how much you can spend on auto GPS units, and how much you want to spend. In this part, we’re going to discuss the manufacturers and what features you need to be on the look out for.
Buy the end of this article, you should know enough about auto GPS units to enter the marketplace with knowledge and confidence.
What manufacturer’s product should I buy?
Since I just mentioned the top manufacturers in the United States, let me just say a few words about each of them.
Garmin has the broadest and deepest product line. I like their nuvi line quite a lot! They’re sleek and really have a lot of features for such a small package.
Tom Tom has been fast catching up in the United States due to very aggressive pricing. If you want a more fully featured model than the One, 3rd Edition, then how about the GO 920T, which was listed by Consumer Reports recently as one of the best GPS’s to buy. Right now, it will cost you a little over $400.
Magellan is sort of the granddaddy of the field. They were one of the first companies to enter the auto GPS market. I like their Maestro line the best for about the same reasons I like Garmin’s nuvi line.
Also, Magellan has a great deal with AAA, where they have the Tour Book pre-programmed right in their device. I’m a AAA lover. So, for me that’s a great selling feature.
Sure, there are other manufacturers of these devices other than Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan, but since these three control almost 90% of the U. S. market, I can’t see any reason to buy anything else.
Now that we’ve talked about who makes auto GPS units, let’s talk about what features you should be considering.
What do I want my new GPS to do–besides tell me how to get places?
In addition to showing you where you are and telling how to get to places, all GPS units also have touch screens, a database of pre-programmed destinations (called Points of Interest, or POI’s), and pre-loaded maps, usually of at least the lower 48 United States.
Other features you might want are:
More maps Actually saying street names (instead of just “Turn Here!”) Real-time weather and traffic alerts right on your device Bluetooth, so you can make hands-free phone calls while driving Multiple point routing, so you can enter more than one destination in for the same trip Bigger screen (4.3-inches instead of 3.5-inches–measured along the diagonal)
You can get the extra maps, saying the street names, and the real-time weather and traffic alerts (with subscription) for only about $200! The Garmin nuvi 350 can do this just fine.
If you want Bluetooth, then you can get this and the wider screen for around $400. The multiple point routing will cost you another $50 to $100.
There are certainly more features, but these are the main ones. There’s a lot of competition under $400 in the auto GPS marketplace. Above $400, it’s mainly all Garmin. So, if you’re willing to spend more, you really need to look at their nuvi 700’s and their 800’s.
Hopefully, this will help you wrap your mind around the market for auto GPS units a little better!
At first buying a GPS seems a little confusing and overwhelming. It’s not really. There are just a few things you haven’t thought about.
Use this article as a guide to help you better understand the marketplace.
What you need now is an informative website where you can browse and check current prices.
By: Rick Cole
