Auto GPS » Handheld Units

Why You Should Choose a Garmin Handheld GPS System

admin — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:17:59 +0000

Many have discovered the benefits of owning a Garmin handheld GPS unit. If you would like to buy a new GPS unit, you might want to consider some units from among the different Garmin unit model lines. You might need more convincing though. Here’s why you should choose Garmin:

Variety of Choice

It’s amazing but it’s true. There are so many Garmin handheld units to choose from that you will simply not run out of options. If you’re major consideration is your budget, then you can easily find a monochromatic display unit with straight line directions. If you have a hard time with directions though, you can opt for a unit with the works. Several Garmin handheld GPS units have color displays and verbal directions that can give directions on every turn. Depending on your preferences, you can also choose units with special features like two-way radio capacity, compass, altimeter and even recreational games.

Ease of Use

One way to choose a GPS unit is to determine ease of use. Garmin handheld GPS systems are very convenient to use. Whether you have a monochrome or colored display, you always get great screen resolution. The buttons for operation are also user-friendly.

Ease of Comparison

Garmin is a leading brand. Because of their popularity, there are many sites that offer comparison charts of different Garmin units. This will make it easy for you to pick the GPS system that is perfect for you. You can also always go directly to the Garmin website. Nothing can be easier than picking a unit from there. You can choose according to activity or series models. You are given detailed and organized model descriptions that you can easily cross check using a search engine.

Built for Land or Water

Most Garmin handheld GPS systems are perfect for both land and water. You never have to settle for separate activities depending on your activity of the day. You just need one Garmin model with both land and marine navigation features. This is a convenient feature if you are both an average working Joe or a great adventurer.

Garmin units for land or water are also built to last. Some models have noticeably rugged exteriors and are waterproof. You don’t ever have to worry about accidentally dropping your unit in water.

Good Reviews

There is one common rule when you are shopping for any product. You always have to consider what fellow consumers think. Their opinions can offer you a valuable insight into how well a product performs. There are many handheld GPS reviews available. If you browse through a couple of them, you would easily notice that Garmin handheld GPS systems have good reviews. There may be a couple of disadvantages cited here and there but as a whole, a lot of customers love their Garmin units. That’s why Garmin is a leading brand.

By: Jonathan D. Beebe

Things You Should Consider When Selecting a GPS Device

admin — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:46:09 +0000

Most people become confused when trying to decide which GPS unit will fit their need and price range. One of the first things to decide is which brand to purchase? I recommend Garmin devices, because they are not only the most popular but generally are the most technologically advanced units on the market. For most applications Garmin offers the broadest range of available units and mapping available. Of course there can always be an exception with the many applications for GPS.

You should decide which application you will be using your GPS device for. If you will be using the GPS unit for finding directions in your car you should purchase a different unit than you would for Geocaching. If you are interested in a GPS unit primarily for boating, that will be a different GPS also.

Most GPS units are flexible in use but like airplanes, each model is more adapted to specific usage. It will be difficult, if not impossible to find a GPS unit that fits all of the different uses GPS is capable of.

Garmin manufactures and sells GPS units for airplanes, automotive use, motorcycles, boats, bicycles, runners, fishing, hunting, and the list goes on. Some of these units are very flexible and some are quite usage specific.

Garmin manufactures handheld GPS units that are very flexible in usage. Handheld units are great for carrying with you on outdoor activities. You can purchase handheld GPS units that have worldwide cities mapping included with other features. Some units come with preloaded mapping of USA inland lakes. Units are available with marine mapping preloaded and the list goes on.

Most Garmin handheld GPS units allow you to share data with other Garmin users wirelessly. Most Garmin units have the Tracback feature. Tracback shows with a line, your exact route and you can follow it back to where you began. Trackback is exclusive Garmin. Some of the Garmin units float in water and many are waterproof.

All of Garmin’s latest handheld GPS units can be connected to your PC to upload or download data. Most Garmin units are WAAS enabled giving you greater accuracy in the data you receive from GPS satellites.

Garmin manufactures handheld GPS units that are Geocaching friendly, allowing you to download and upload to and from the internet, or other users, GPX files that give the coordinates of the secret stash.

When purchasing a GPS unit you should consider all the elements I have given before deciding which GPS unit to purchase. Of course in the end you may purchase more than one unit for you different activities.

By: LaZinnia Manley

GPS Comparisons

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:57:22 +0000

With the release of several Global Positioning Systems (GPS) units used by golfers, motorists, navigators, mariners, aviators, pilots and fitness buffs, there are expected GPS comparisons that put borderlines between models. Comparing one from the other in terms of performance and pricing is but normal. Considering areas like smallness or largeness of GPS screen, richness of traffic data given, built-in features and affordability can be criteria for your to judge which one fits your needs.

GPS Comparisons place distinction between auto and handheld GPS equipment. Auto units are usually built in car vehicles while handheld ones are usually used by those who just want to place them in the pocket or attach to a belt. There are recreational GPS grade units that either display base map or none at all. Those units with built-in maps are more expensive than those without, but both are handy.

If what you are looking for is different from the standard handheld GPS, then you must try a unit that’s integrated with Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS). GPS comparisons say this unit monitors geostationary satellites delivering correction signals much higher than those without WAAS. It also allows preciseness to beyond 16 feet under likeable scenarios. Magellan and Garmin brands are those that come with WAAS.

According to GPS comparisons, Magellan and Garmin GPS units are both integrated with built-in maps and display data on big screens. Garmin eTrex can last up to 20 hours on two rechargeable AA batteries while Magellan Meridian Gold can do 14 hours and even on field, it can last for eight hours. Getting the best unit of GPS would depend on one’s budget and purposes. Handheld units have own strengths and limitations as much as a car’s built-in GPS has. Both are equipped with computer-mapping programs, though.

Preciseness in taking distance and other important data are achieved by both most GPS types. GPS Comparisons say the demand for GPS has increased tremendously. Because GPS units are built in automatically in luxurious cars, the increasing demand for it is unstoppable. If you want to compare features and performance elements of GPS units, you might just have to consider canvassing about brands like Garmin, Navman, Mio, Magellan and Tom Tom. Compare their pricing, quality, built-in features, battery lifespan and durability.

In terms of GPS mapping data, GPS Comparisons tell there are some map programs sold to ensure accuracy of displaying data on your GPS monitor. Majority of what the market offers are sure to by-pass traffic areas ahead using GPS and compute new walkthroughs. If not employed properly, you might be out of right lane or off-track. In this case, not only will you be wasting fuel, you will also be delaying your trip.

By: Ian Pennington

GPS Handheld Devices – The Benefits of GPS Handheld Units

admin — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:24:43 +0000

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

How To Detect GPS Tracking Units

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 13:47:36 +0000

The new GPS auto tracker technology allows just about anyone to track anyone else. In addition almost all new cell phones have GPS tracking capabilities built in to them. Some even have the ability to transmit location information even with the battery removed. All of which make you wonder what happened to personal privacy. The answer is that there really is no privacy. Granted there are legal restrictions as to how and when you can use the new tracking technology however detecting GPS tracking units can sometimes be difficult.

There are basically two types of GPS tracking device technology available to the public. The simplest is called a passive or logger tracking device. This device is also the most difficult to detect and defend against. These devices can be as small as a matchbook and can be hidden just about anywhere. They are attached to a vehicle or individual and after a specific amount of time they must be retrieved. After retrieval the device is usually attached to a personal computer and the information is downloaded into a data base that is provided by the device manufacture.

Probably the best defense against passive/logger tracking devices comes in the form of a GPS blocker. These small units normally plug into your automobiles cigarette lighter port and provide protection for about 30 feet in any direction. Small handheld units are also available that run on batteries that also provide short range blocking. These units can range in price from $200 to $850.

The second type of GPS auto tracker or personal GPS tracking units are called real time tracking devices. These units do just as the name implies, provide current real time location information on the individual or vehicle that is being tracked. This accomplished through the use of cell phone technology. Recent technology improvements have greatly reduced the size and reliability of these tracking devices. You can purchase a battery operated unit the size of a small cell phone that will provide tracking information for up to a week before the battery requires charging. More commonly these units are attached to a vehicle and use the vehicles power supply to provide power to the tracking unit.

Real time tracking devices generally require the user to contract with a GPS tracking service company. These companies frequently provide the tracking devices and the software necessary to track the device on your personal computer. Depending on the contract the information is uploaded to you at time specific intervals. The most common information uploads range from 5 to 10 minutes.

Defending against this type of tracking device is relatively easy with a combination cell phone/GPS blocking device. These units range in cost from $300 to more than $1000. Of course either a cell phone or a GPS blocking device may accomplish the same affect. In addition if you feel that you are being tracked illegally you can contact your local law enforcement agency and let them do a scan of the vehicle or personal effects in question. Many small law enforcement agencies do not have this capability and in that case you have the option to purchase a scanning unit and do the scan yourself.

A word to the wise if you are involved in a criminal enterprise. Much of what we have outlined here will not prevent US government agencies from tracking you and your vehicles.

In most cases it is illegal to track just about anyone without their permission. However given the fact that is so hard to detect many tracking devices it is likely that illegal GPS auto tracker and personal tracking device technology will continue to be used.

By: Jim Kesel