If you’re like me, choosing the right GPS receiver is a little daunting. What helps is a good GPS reviews comparison, where you can learn what various models do and how much they cost. In other words, you need a guide!
Choosing the right GPS device is critical. Prices have dropped over the past two years, and you can probably get a model with more bells and whistles than you think you can. To help you form your game plan, let’s first talk about who the main manufacturers are, then what various models do and how much they cost.
There are a number of companies that make GPS receivers, but the big three are Garmin, Tom Tom, and Magellan. Garmin is the industry leader with by far the most market share, and also a much broader range of products than anyone else.
Magellan actually was one of the first companies to make these nifty little devices. They were essentially the pioneer. And Tom Tom is the new arrival. Although new, Tom Tom has made great inroads on the market shares of the more established companies by offering great products at great prices.
Any good GPS reviews comparison should tell you what you can expect to buy. So, let’s run over the basic features that you’ll get with any GPS receiver.
All GPS receivers have a touch screen interface, maps of the lower 48 states, and a database of Points of Interest (POIs). All receivers also calculate the best route from where you are to where you want to go, and they give you directions via spoken voice prompts.
The base models of either Garmin, Tom Tom, or Magellan will do all of this and more.
For around $150 you can get the Garmin nuvi 200, the Tom Tom One, or the Magellan Maestro 3100. These three models all cover the basic features I mentioned.
What if you want more? How much is that going to cost?
Well, let’s run over what more you can get.
Upgrades are: more maps (Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Europe, Mexico), bigger screen, Bluetooth, real-time traffic and weather, many more POIs (how about 6 million!), and multiple routing.
You can get most of this stuff for $350! For instance, the Garmin 660 can do all of the above except the multi-route calculations. It sells for slightly under $350.
Magellan’s Maestro 4250 is a direct competitor and can do essentially what the Garmin 660 can. The 4250 is currently selling for slightly more than $250.
Tom Tom’s comparable receiver would be the Tom Tom Go 720, which is currently selling for less than $350.
Of course, you might be willing to spend more!
As you go higher in price, each of these companies offers great proprietary features. Magellan has a deal with AAA, for instance, to include their Tour Book right in the device. (For AAA members only.)
A good GPS reviews comparison can only do so much, however.
Now you need to actually get on an informative website and start browsing.
By: Lee Cole
Posts Tagged ‘Gps Device’
GPS Reviews Comparison – How to Choose the Right Model
March 23rd, 2010Using a Child GPS Tracking Device for Safety
March 14th, 2010
Every parent worries about their children and most every child will disobey their parents at some point and time. In some instances this may not be a big deal, but in others it could put your child in danger. This is why a child GPS device for safety is a good idea. It could mean the difference in knowing that your child is in a dangerous place in time to aid, instead of when it’s to late. This could make a big difference in the safety of your child. You won’t have to wonder where you they are anymore; you will have a way of knowing for sure.
Has you child ever not came home right after school? This creates a since of panic in a parent that you have to experience to understand. With a child GPS device for safety you can find out where your child is immediately. You will know if they stopped at the neighbor’s house before coming in or if they are somewhere they shouldn’t be. Small children have a tendency of seeing something they like and taking off after it. This could be very dangerous. A tracking device can help out if this happens. It can even help you find a child that has wondered away from you in a crowded facility.
A child GPS device for safety can be a great access for teenagers as well although, they may disagree with this. You can put one of these devices in your child’s car to aid monitor where they are at all times. You will know if they are at the friends house you said they are visit or across town at a hangout point. Of course, these devices cannot keep your child secure while out on the road they can help you make sure they are staying in areas that you feel are the safest. Some of these devices can be set to go off automatically if your child exits the safety zone that you have programmed it to. Newer models can monitor the blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate of your child
Your teenager may not be the only person that feels like these child GPS devices for safety may be a little extravagant. There are a lot of parents that disagree with these devices. They feel like they can trust their child and that everyone should just give them a chance. This may be true for many children, but you have to take into consideration peer pressure and the fact that a teen can get pushed into things that they prefer not to do. If their friends know that you are keeping track of where they go, they want be pressuring them to go places they shouldn’t. Still this is a personal decision that every parent will need to make when they are considering their child’s safety.
By: James Kronefield
