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How Do I Choose A Portable GPS System? |
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GPS Receiver Buying Advice Do you travel much? Hate asking for directions? Hate trying to read maps while driving? Then maybe you should be in the market for a portable GPS system. All you do is give it your destination (Your GPS already knows where you are.) and you get turn-by-turn directions, via spoken-word if you like. That way you don’t have to take your eyes off of the road. Most GPS systems let you pick routes based on the shortest routes, quickest routes, or even toll-free routes.
Portable GPS systems have an advantage over the pre-installed “in-dash” systems that you often see coming with cars. With a portable GPS, when you sell your car, you can keep your GPS, or not matter what car you drive, you can still use the GPS unit. Also, a big advantage of the portable GPS system is price. An in-dash unit often costs more than $1,000. Portable GPS units can vary in price between $200 to $700.
Features To Compare
Not just “Speech” but “Text-To-Speech” Often times you’ll see lower priced GPS systems touting their “speech” ability. However, there is something important to check. “Speech” may just mean that your GPS unit can say things like “Turn Left” or “Turn Right”. That’s really not enough anymore. If I need to turn left on Main Street, I want my GPS system to tell me “Turn left on Main Street”. That can possibly save LOTS of confusion when driving in a new area, particularly if streets happen to be close together.
Preloaded Maps Of course, your GPS will be pretty worthless if you don’t have built in maps. Some lower price GPS models just have maps of the lower 48 states. That may be more than you’ll ever need. However, check to see if the maps are updatable. Roads change all of the time. An updatable map can save you a headache when you’re in a new place! Also, if you’re ever planning on traveling outside of the lower 48 US states, check to see if Canada and Europe are available.
Power OptionsDoes the GPS unit have a built-in battery? Or does it only have a cigarette light adapter? You may think that you don’t need a build in battery, but consider the fact that you may not always want to program your GPS system while sitting in your car. Maybe you’d like to program it from the comfort of your hotel room! Maybe you’d like to use your GPS somewhere else besides your car. I find my small portable Garmin GPS unit very handy when walking the streets of Chicago.
Finally, with GPS Systems, as with anything. Most of the time, you get what you pay for. Be sure to read the fine print. The price of a decent GPS System has plummeted over the last few years, and will only get cheaper. However, don’t make price your only consideration. Check for features, updatable maps, and you could be using your GPS System for years to come.
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