Selecting the right GPS
There are several GPS navigation systems available today; many of them a very good and offer some great features; for this reason if you are in the market to purchase a GPS system for your car, it may be a difficult decision.
One of the things that finding the right GPS system may be a little difficult is that you have to decide what features that you want your system to have, and with so many to chose from that can be a little overwhelming. Sifting through the myriad of features is a task in itself, especially if you don’t know exactly what to look for.
The first thing to keep in mind while you are looking for a GPS is that all of these navigation systems do basically the same thing. Any GPS system will tell you where you currently are, and tell you how to get to your destination.
From a low-end GPS system to a high-end system, they will all perform this basic function. A GPS will have a touch screen where you can view a map, or input your destination. You can also find points of interest, such as ATMs, gas stations, or restaurants; these are usually preloaded just like the maps.
The GPS system that you choose will greatly depend on the features you would like your system to have, as well as your budget.
Though you will find many GPS systems manufactured by an assortment of companies, you will likely be better off to stick with the top companies, which are Garmin, TomTom, and Magellan. You may find a great product from another company, but if you purchase from one of the top manufactures, you can be sure you are getting a high quality product.
One of the first companies to produce personal GPS systems was Magellan, and some of their best GPS systems are the Maestro series, which will run you between $150 and $300. The Maestro will give you a large array of features, along with the AAA Guidebook for those who are AAA members.
The industry leader in GPS systems is Garmin; this company has a large selection of GPS products that are offered at a variety of price levels. The most basic model is the Garmin nuvi 200, which is available for under $200. The 800 - model is loaded with features, but will run you about $800.
You may also want to consider a GPS system from TomTom, who offer high quality products at very competitive prices. For example, you can get the The TomTom One 3rd Edition for about the same as you would pay for the Nuvi 200, but this unit has a lot of extra features that you won’t find included with the Nuvi.
The best way to research the different GPS models available is to read the many reviews you will find online. This way you will find exactly what you are looking for before you head out to make your purchase.
