If you go to any major retailer's website and search for GPS, you'll find a large amount of options. This one does "3D" maps and has "funny" voices. The other one plays music, videos and can customize the vehicle icon on the screen to whatever funny one you want. The list goes on.
I just want to get somewhere!
As with most everything I buy lately, my research began on the internet. There are a few key points to decide on BEFORE purchasing a GPS device:
What is your budget? GPS units can be cheap or very expensive. You can easily spend from $100 to over $1,000. Be reasonable when deciding your budget, though. You probably won't find one for under $100.
What will you use it for? Yes, the core purpose of a unit is for navigation. Do you have a Bluetooth phone? Some devices can integrate with your cell phone! Do you also need an MP3 player? Some devices include an MP3 player. There are many features besides navigation available on various models.
What about additional costs? You may want traffic and weather reports on your unit. The device must be compatible with these add-ons. On some units, traffic, weather and other features are available for an additional monthly or yearly fee.
Do your research! Search on the internet for user forums relating to the model or models, or brands, you are interested in. Once you find the forums, read a few of them to get an idea if the owners - just like you want to be - are happy with their decision. Did I mention that you need to do your research? I was on the fence, undecided, with three major manufacturers - Magellan, Garmin and Tomtom. One of the deciding factors against one manufacturer on the list was due to the users on a forum were frustrated with the company's lack of support and failure to update their maps and software.
I decided to purchase a "flashy" bells-and-whistles GPS device and took it on a trial run. The display was great. I routed us to a home address and off we went. Intently listening to the GPS, "Turn left ahead". Gotcha! We turn. "Turn right". Yep, we're getting close. Then the road practically ended. Well, it didn't end by definition... it just lost its pavement. The road was so bad, we ended up on the grass to get around the problem areas. Had I not been in my SUV, a smaller car or semi-truck would have done some damage. But, the GPS did have us arrive at the correct address. Ok, we then routed ourselves to a restaurant about 10-miles away. "Turn left", it says. We stayed on the paved road and ignored the GPS commands for awhile as it continued to re-route us onto unpaved territory. "Turn left". "NO", I shouted. Finally back in civilization, the new track looked promising. We continued on paved roads. "Turn left and follow for 3-miles". Yes, sounds good to me. We turn left and watch as the road narrowed between trees and barbed-wire fences. We were back on another rough dirt road for, according to the GPS, 2.5-miles. While this road was not nearly as bad as the first unpaved excursion, it was too narrow for anything larger than a pick-up truck. I imagine at this point, internally, the GPS device was laughing inside and I assume it continued laughing when I returned it to the store the next day.
I then exchanged this brand for another, less flashy yet more expensive, GPS unit. This highly regarded brand had very good reviews and a solid support base on the forums. Yet, I didn't find this out until more research and my earlier experience. My primary need for a GPS unit is navigation - meaning accurate, dependable, routing. Anything else beyond that is just "fluff". If I am in a large vehicle and I get stuck on a narrow dirt road, playing a music video or MP3 audio isn't going to bail me out of this problem. I checked this unit's routing before I left the store. I entered the address and pressed "GO". It routed me to the home without using unpaved/dirt roads. Good! I then entered an address that was not even available on the other unit. This new one found it. Sold! So far, even though it lacks all the goodies and customization options, this is what I really needed - accuracy.
Not all devices will be 100% correct all the time. I'm expecting at some point I'll be taken down a path less traveled. I gave the first GPS two chances and it failed on both.
If you can, visit a retailer near you and try their display models. Enter a familiar address on each GPS brand they sell and have them create a route. I have learned that if you do enough research, you will make a more educated purchase; one that you'll be happy with.
Autor:
Michael Becker- Mike posts his observations and opinions on his personal blog, http://www.chicodawg.com
Mike enjoys travel, photography, building websites, and outdoor activities.
Added: November 17, 2007
Source:
http://ezinearticles.com/
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