Auto GPS » Gps Units

GPS Buyer’s Guide

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:45:39 +0000

For drivers in North America who are tired of staring at maps and pulling into gas stations to get directions the new technology of GPS may be the answer. GPS or Global Positioning Systems are an inexpensive and reliable way of finding your exact position on the globe at any given time. For the driver this can mean never having to look a road map again. This is a brief introduction to the major brands of GPS units and some information about each.

Garmin offers two different types of GPS units and many models for each type. The larger of the two the Streetpilot is meant to be mounted in your car and provides street to street directions map and much more useful information during you trip. Some of the more recent models of the Streetpilot offer voicecapabilities and will vocally give a driver directions. The Quest offer many of the same features as the Streetpilot but it comes in a smaller handheld size and is battery powered. The Quest may be a better option if you often find your self leaving the car behind and need directions on foot.

Magellan is one of the oldest consumer level GPS manufacturers and they are still one of the finest. The Roadmates line of GPS units have been around for a while and the newest models are still in competition for the highest in quality. The newest models of Roadmates provide turn by turn directions to your destination with its internal speaker. This line of GPS units are powered by the cars cigarette lighter and mounts easily to most automobiles. The Roadmate 800 provides color 3-D maps on its 3” screen.

The newest brand of GPS unit comes from Tom-Tom. The Tom-Tom Go700 provides directions on it’s 3.5” screen which gives its display in 3-D. The Go700 can give vocal directions in dozens of languages. The most interesting feature about this unit is it’s Bluetooth capability allowing it to connect to cell phones to give weather, traffic and road conditions for your trip.

By: David Stone

Buying Your First GPS

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 17:25:49 +0000

It seems like just about everyone has a GPS these days, everyone but you! If you are interested in buying your first GPS you may find that the market is a bit intimidating. There are a lot of really great products out there and you just may not be sure of what you need or even what you want! Long gone are the days of the paper maps, now you can have your very own machine tell you how to get from point A to point B with relative ease!

Shopping for Your GPS

One of the first things you will notice when you start shopping for your GPS is the wide range in prices. Today you can find models that start right around $100 and yet there are other models that cost $700 or more! Which one is the right one for you, and how will you know it when you see it?

Which GPS is right for you really depends on what you will be using it for. If you are looking for a GPS that will help guide you on short trips or will help get you around town occasionally you probably don’t need anything in the $700 range, in fact you will generally find that the units in the $200 to $300 range are suitable for you. The point is, if you are not going to be taking long trips or using the system every day, a more expensive system won’t pay for itself.

If you work in sales or if you work with the deliveries of products you may need to get a GPS unit that is a bit more costly. The reason is that the more costly units are able to help you with intricate directions and will provide a screen that will help you get from your starting point to your destination without any hiccups.

When you start comparing the features of each of the GPS units you will soon find that you are attracted to a certain quality unit. Be sure to ask yourself if the amount of use that you will get out of the unit justifies its cost, if not you can probably scale back again and still get a really great product. When shopping, be sure that you do shop around as prices can vary from retailer to retailer and your goal should always be to get the very best product for the most affordable price.

By: Heather Jacobson

Motorrad Navigator II GPS Navigation System

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:23:21 +0000

Owners of BMW motorcycles have a new technology available to them to provide up to the minute directions and navigation throughout all of Europe. BMW’s latest GPS unit for their motorcycles is a huge step up from their previous model. This model features an upgraded memory chip, up to 2 GB from 512 MB. The model also comes with a road map covering all of Eastern Europe installed right out of the box. This is a great feature because prior to this model you would have to take the unit to your pc and download the appropriate maps onto the unit. With this model you simple have to mount the unit to your motorcycle and attach the battery cable and you are ready to take off on the road.

Riders will find the new touch screen a vast improvement over the previous model and it has been retuned for easier use with gloved hands. The unit has been rated for use in snow and in rain, and against extreme heat and cold. The units increased memory and processors allow for virtually instantaneous updates of information and position. As with the previous model it still provides the rider with elapsed time, estimated time to destination, current speed, average speed and top speed. This models positioning is extremely accurate as it pulls information from twelve different satellites when coordinating your position. Most GPS units only use the information of four satellites and this gives the BMW model a greater advantage at calculating your exact position on the globe.

As for drivers or riders of non-BMW bikes, this unit can be used with any vehicle or motorcycle and will require minimal mounting and wiring. For an automobile it comes equipped with a cigarette lighter plug and can be mounted fairly easily to most vehicles. Pedestrians can also use this unit with its battery powered option. This product is available at all BMW dealerships and online at the BMW website.

By: David Stone

GPS: The Road Less Traveled

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:33:29 +0000

The nice thing about GPS units is that you do not have to have them custom installed into your vehicle. Sometimes when you buy a new car it comes with its own navigational system. But to add that to a new car would be costly.

After delving into some of the more advanced features of GPS as you use it in your daily life. You will definitely notice the “little things” that it does beyond what you’d expected upon purchase. For instance let’s say you went on a night on the town during the weekend and slept in, waking up up later than you usually wak up.

You find yourself having less time to get to work or you will wind up being late. What happens? Well turn on your GPS and allow it give you advice on how to get to your destination in the allotted time. Even though you’ve traveled the same path to work day in and day out, a GPS unit will be flexible enough to give you a broader range of ideas to get from point A to point B, often saving you much more time in the process than normally possible.

You will definitely never stop using GPS once you’ve given it a shot.

By: Simon Wyryzowski

Automotive GPS Units – Practical Technology

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:47:25 +0000

Prior to the invention of automotive GPS units, traveling to unknown areas had to be done through reading a map and/or asking for directions. Both methods had problems. For instance, how can one effectively read a map while driving? Map-reading is only best if there is another passenger in the car, which isn’t always possible. Asking for directions can also be annoying, at least if the person giving the directions does so in a manner that is not as clear.

Fortunately, with the emergence of automotive GPS units the process of map-reading and getting directions has never been easier as each can be done either through voice activation, touching the screen, pushing buttons or a combination. Maps pinpointing the exact location pop right up on the screen, while directions can be given through a computer-generated voice. Nothing could be easier or better. The only issue is deciding which automotive GPS unit should be purchased. This article will serve as a guide telling consumers what they should be on the lookout for when choosing automotive GPS units.

The first area of consideration when buying automotive GPS units is seeing how accurate the device is. One way to determine this is by how many channels the GPS unit has. This is because more channels means the unit will be able to communicate with a larger number of satellites, resulting in more coverage. Another way to determine the accuracy of most automotive GPS units is through how its antenna is designed. Make sure the antenna is placed in an area of the unit where it will be able to stand freely.

The next thing to think about when looking at automotive GPS units is size. There are some automotive GPS units that will not be portable. Onstar, which has to be installed in one’s car, is an example of an automotive GPS unit that can not be moved from car-to-car. Many other automotive GPS units vary in portability.

Thirdly, perspective buyers of automotive GPS units should take notice of a unit’s interface. More expensive automotive GPS units will contain voice-activation and/or touch-screens, while cheaper ones can only be used through a series of buttons. If another person is in the car, using buttons is not as bad, but if only the driver can use the unit, it is important that it be as hands-free as possible. It is also important to try to get an automotive GPS unit that has the capability to give directions through a computer-generated voice. Doing so is another way to ensure that the driver of the car keeps their eyes on the road and nowhere else.

The software that the automotive automotive GPS unit uses is also critical. Most top of the line units have very good mapping software included with the unit. However, as time passes the mapping software becomes out of date. You should make sure that you automotive GPS units software is updated at least once every 6 months. Frequently there is cost for this service but if you live in fast growing urban environment then it is a good investment. Your automotive GPS unit is only as good as its operating and mapping software.

When looking at automotive GPS units one should consider: ease of use, accuracy, size and interface. Keeping these elements in mind ensures that a buyer obtains an automotive GPS unit that is reliable and will best assist them when they are on the road.

By: Jim Kesel

GPS Buying Tips For Technophobes

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 22:09:12 +0000

Black glasses with masking tape holding them together and a pocket protector are no longer a required part of the uniform for GPS owners. GPS has gone mainstream. But if you’re still not up to date on what it is and how it works, and if you’d like some advice on what to buy, this article will bring you up to speed.

A GPS device is like a map on steroids. First of all, it always gives you that little “You Are Here” dot – you no longer need to figure that out for yourself. And all you need to do is tell it where you want to go and it will plot the course for you. It doesn’t end there, however. New GPS units will provide you with voice guided directions for the entire trip, tell you where the nearest gas station is, and will even put you back on course if you take a wrong turn.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System, a system of 28 satellites orbiting earth. It was originally developed for military use, but its uses have spread far beyond just military applications. Your GPS unit can receive signals from these satellites, and by using these signals, calculates your position (within 3-10 meters), direction, altitude, and velocity. Once your GPS unit knows where you are, it can help you get to where you’re going as long as it has mapping software installed. All but the most basic GPS devices currently have mapping software.

Now that you know a little bit about what a GPS device is and how it works, it’s time to educate yourself on the features available and decide which unit will best suit your needs. There is certainly no shortage of GPS devices available, so doing a little research can save you a lot of time and hassle.

Step 1 – Which type of GPS do you need?

There are four main types of GPS units; the car navigation system, the portable outdoors unit, the marine system, and the PDA/GPS hybrid.

If you’re mainly planning on using your GPS to get you from point A to B in your car and don’t think you’d use it for much else, your best bet is the in-car navigation system. These systems can be built in to your car or you can purchase a device that mounts onto your dashboard. Desirable features for the in-car systems are: voice guided directions; detailed built in maps; touch screens; rerouting in case you get off course; and a database with points of interest to help you find the nearest gas station, restaurant, and many more places along your route.

If you’re going to want a GPS device that isn’t limited to the car, then you may want to consider a handheld GPS (http://www.gpsmaestro.com/handheld). These devices are ideal for anyone who loves to hike or bike. Features to look for in a handheld unit are: lightweight, rugged, waterproofing, long battery life, color screens, and mapping features. The handheld GPS units are geared towards people who spend a significant amount of time outside. For example, if you’re out hiking you can easily track where you’ve been; mark your own points of interest; and even find out how far you’ve gone and at what speed. Many new handheld devices offer some navigation features while driving. You can even purchase handheld units that offer built in radios that will not only allow you to communicate with other members of your party, but will also display everyone’s location on your screen.

If being on the water and fishing is your thing then you should probably consider a marine GPS. These units are specifically designed to be on and around water. All of these units will feature waterproofing and should have screens that are easy to read even in bright sunlight. Some other good features to look for are: color chart plotters, onshore and offshore maps, fish hotspots, and sonar capability. You may also want to consider a unit that will function as your car navigator, eliminating the need for two devices.

The final category of GPS device is the PDA/GPS hybrid. This device offers a good combination of the car navigation systems and handheld devices. You’ll get the large screen that you’d find in the car system and the portability of a handheld unit. Also, you get a PDA to help you keep organized. One drawback is the limited selection of these units. Only a few companies have attempted to make an integrated unit, and all have some serious limitations.

If you are considering a PDA/GPS hybrid, I’d recommend you purchase the PDA separately from the GPS. Find a PDA that offers all the features you want in your PDA, then look for a GPS receiver that will attach to your PDA via Bluetooth. The features to watch for are the same as listed for the in car systems. All of the current PDA/GPS devices are better suited towards driving than hiking, although they do offer the portability for outdoor activities if needed. This category probably offers the most potential of the four, but it is also the newest, so watch for significant improvements in this category in the future.

Step 2 – Budget Considerations

If you’re on a budget, then it’s important to decide which features are most important to you. If you want a full featured car navigation system, it can easily run over $1000 (and over $2000 if you want one that’s built in). If, however, it would be more of a toy to play with, then a handheld device could be a better choice as they can be as low as $100 and are rarely more than $500. Marine GPS devices vary widely in prices, but a very good device can usually be purchased for no more than $1000. If the PDA/GPS devices interest you, they typically range from $400-$900.

Step 3 – Where to Buy

Finding the right store to purchase your GPS device can be difficult. Most stores only carry one or two kinds of GPS. For example, if you go to a sporting goods store you’re likely to find the handheld GPS units and marine GPS units but not the car navigation or the PDA/GPS hybrids. I actually prefer shopping online for GPS units as the prices will likely be lower, and you’ll be able to read user reviews of the items before you buy. Just make sure that if you have a problem with your GPS you are able to return it.

Owning a GPS can be extremely helpful, especially if you tend to get lost a lot or if your glove compartment is overflowing with outdated maps. They can also make planning a long trip to an unfamiliar area a breeze. Deciding which GPS to purchase can be difficult, but as long as you make a list of the features you absolutely must have then all you have to do is find the units that match your budget. Read reviews from other owners and you should have no trouble at all. Once you purchase your own GPS unit, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without one.

By: Gary Ruplinger

Garmin Nuvi 660 Rated As Consumer Reports Best Buy!

admin — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 23:27:50 +0000

The Garmin Nuvi 660 performs well in all categories. The price point on this unit is very affordable. It has the highest overall rated very good score of all the GPS units indicating an exceptional value by “Consumer Reports”. Ratings of excellent for entering destination, information for driver, portability and color display. Ratings of very good for use of controls, routing options, routing time and mount design. All with a retail price in the $ 350.00. A tested battery life of approximately 4.5 hours, weight of 6.7 ounces, screen size of 4.4 inches, Bluetooth hands free calls (Allows the user to make and receive telephone calls using the unit’s internal speaker, microphone and screen.) and spoken street names (Commonly referred to as “Text-to-Speech,” this feature allows the driver to confirm directions with street signs without looking at the screen) It can also dial phone numbers of point of interest locations. This feature requires a Bluetooth compatible phone as well.

These results are the most current ratings from “Consumer Reports” magazine of the GPS units that are considered portable in auto GPS navigation systems. You can remove them from one vehicle and use them in another vehicle. The most recent use that I have heard of is by delivery people, which makes a great deal of sense. I have also had some very positive comments from two different older ladies about ease of use when traveling from rural areas about two hours outside a large city via much more rural roads and back without getting lost at all. This eased their minds about traveling these roads alone and getting home safely.

By: Diana Zagouris

Best Golf GPS 2009

admin — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 02:14:19 +0000

Want to know what’s the best golf GPS 2009 systems? Well, there are quite a few. You see, the golf GPS market is quite crowded and there’s a lot of consumer confusion. You can spend $150 on a golf GPS or you can spend $400. The real question you need to ask yourself is what do you want your golf GPS to do for you, and how much do you want to pay. To help you out, though, I’m going to talk a little bit about some of the best selling golf GPS systems on the 2009 market. That way you’ll be in a better position to figure out what’s the best golf GPS 2009 for your needs and budget.

Garmin Approach G5

The thing I like about the Garmin Approach is the large bright touch screen. When I play golf, my goal is to enjoy myself, not fiddle with a bunch of buttons, and the touch screen makes this possible. The Approach comes with all the golf courses already downloaded, no annual fee! It keeps score and also accurately measures distances. This one is definitely on my list of best GPS 2009 systems for golf.

SkyCaddie SG5

The SkyCaddie SG5 has a large color display and a ton of features. One thing I like about the SkyCaddie SG5 is the fact that the distances are displayed with really large numbers. Easy to read in bright sunlight. It also gives you distances to the front, center, and back of the green. There are more than 23,000 courses in SkyCaddie’s database. You have to have a membership plan, but those run $30 or so. Again, this should be on the list of best GPS golf 2009 systems.

Sonocaddie V300

Another golf GPS that found its way onto my list of best golf GPS 2009 units was the Sonocaddie V300. Its main feature is a large, bright 3D display. Of course, it measures distances, but it also tracks shot length, keeps score, and helps you statistically analyze your past games. It will keep track of every single shot you make, which is useful if you’re trying to better your score on a particular course. Again, this takes a membership, but it’s not that expensive.

Golf Buddy Pro GPS

No list of best golf GPS 2009 devices would be complete without the Golf Buddy Pro GPS. ( I should also throw Golf Buddy’s Tour GPS in, too.) The Pro changes the picture of the green to match your angle of approach, which is a feature I think is really neat. Like the Garmin Approach, it’s already pre-loaded with all the North American courses. It automatically loads not only the course, but also the hole you’re on. (With some others you have to do this manually.) Also, it has a very easy to read screen.

Callaway uPro Golf GPS

No list of the best golf GPS 2009 systems would be complete without the Callaway uPro. As far as graphics, the uPro is miles ahead of everyone else, except perhaps the Garmin Approach. It measures distances to the hole. You don’t have to have a subscription, but to get the detailed information you want, you’ll want one. It’s not expensive, though.

Golflogix Golf GPS-8

I might be partial to Garmin. They have such a reputation for quality in the auto GPS market. So, it’s no wonder they have more than one entry in my list of best golf GPS 2009 systems. The Golflogix Golf GPS-8 is quite a bit less expensive than previous models I’ve talked about, but it has plenty of power and features. It automatically detects the course you’re on. Displays distances to the front, center and back of the green. You can measure the distance of your last shot, and also keep track of distance by club, which is a great feature for those of us who think driving ranges are boring.

iGolf Neo

The last entry on my list of best GPS 2009 devices is the iGolf Neo. The Neo costs quite a bit less than a Garmin Approach or a Callaway uPro, but it still has plenty of great features, not to mention the fact that it’s really small. The screen is not that small, by the way. Again, you’ve got distance to front, back, and center of the green, distance to pin, and last shot distance. You can input up to four custom points per hole as you play. You have to pay a membership to access iGolf’s database of over 35,000 courses, but again, that’s not expensive.

As you can see, there’s quite a range of prices and features. The important thing, however, is to figure out your budget and what you want your GPS for. That way you can make the maximum use of my best golf GPS 2009 list.

By: Rick Cole

GPS Systems – How Advancement In Technology Can Make Life Simple

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:25:43 +0000

Have a history of stolen vehicle where you could do nothing about it? Well, had there been a GPS Vehicle Tracking System installed in your vehicle, the thief would have been apprehended. This then is just one of the several uses this technology offers.

GPS (Global Positioning System) technology and its application have certainly come a long way in the last five years. It started as a government program in the late 1960s and early 1970s primarily for military navigational purposes until President Ronald Reagan promised that the technology would be available to the general public for free.

The GPS Vehicle Tracking Systems helps you notify your communication device when someone is tampering with your vehicle. You can program the system to send calls to your cell phone, blackberry, and other communication devices. It helps you navigate around problem areas, such as construction zones and traffic congestion while providing alternate routes to desired locations. It is excellent for monitoring teens driving habits with real-time vehicle location with photos.

Backpack GPS units are being developed to guide the blind people through the intricacies of the cities. Farmers use GPS to survey their fields so that they can distribute fertilizer more efficiently. Hikers use it to guide themselves on their mountain climbs, bicycle tours, marathon runs, rally competitions. Rescue and salvation crews use GPS to locate and speed the assistance to people during emergencies. Pointer Dog-GPS by Pointer Positioning Solutions has a device that is made primarily for hunting.

This technology helps the Fleet Managers to track and monitor employees and vehicles, to recoup time and money, for asset tracking, to stop employee moonlighting, to increase productivity, and decrease fuel costs.

If you are a Car Rental Manager you could benefit from this technology for for boundary violations, asset management, for easy rental vehicle tracking, to coordinate vehicle maintenance and service checks, to remotely lock/unlock vehicles doors, and to recover stolen vehicles.

This technology also helps in efficient delivery of products and materials. There are real time vehicle tracking systems that allow companies to track the location of company vehicles from a central location. The central dispatchers can track movements on a visual mapping system and determine the actual location of the truck and guide the driver to the proper location.

GPS systems have gone beyond just serving the army. Anyone from Couriers, Firefighters, Municipal Managers, Snow Plow Drivers, Waste Removal Engineers, Mobile Caregivers, Law Enforcement who wishes to ensure the safety and well being of their drivers, vehicles and cargoes make use of the GPS technology.

GPS systems are indeed becoming a staple in the society, working to make our lives easy and interesting.

By: Andrena Markley

How Accurate is GPS?

admin — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:34:27 +0000

The answer to this question keeps changing along with advancing technology as well as United States law. The first consumer GPS receivers on the market were far less accurate than the receivers available today even though the satellites are the same. Also, before the year 2000, the military intentionally introduced inaccuracies into the civilian GPS signal for “security” reasons. They called this intentional signal error “Selective Availability”. In May of 2000, President Clinton made a decision to turn off SA and allow civilians access to increasingly accurate GPS signals. The military still has the ability to turn off or introduce errors into GPS signals at any time and with no notice but this ability is generally only used for specific reasons of national security.

The best consumer GPS technology available as of 2007 achieves an accuracy level of 15 to 30 feet under normal conditions. Garmin, currently the most popular manufacturer of GPS receivers, claims their GPS units are accurate to within 50 feet 95% of the time. Even within the Garmin GPS receiver line, accuracy specs differ because of the different chips used in the design of different receivers.

GPS Receiver Design Affects GPS Accuracy

If you are looking for the most accurate consumer GPS unit, it’s important to pay attention to the unit’s chip type. The latest technology in GPS receiver chips is the SiRFStar III from SiRF. With this chip in your receiver and WAAS enabled you can expect to reach the best GPS accuracy levels available under current conditions.

Environmental Factors Affect GPS Accuracy

Many different environmental factors can also affect the accuracy of your GPS receiver. Heavy tree cover, tall buildings, deep canyons, and any location in which your view of the sky is limited can affect how accurate your GPS is. Atmospheric conditions can also degrade the accuracy of your GPS unit.

As you can see, there is no easy answer to the question “how accurate is GPS?”. However, you now know the main factors that can affect GPS accuracy.

By: Markus Hamilton