Friday, October 31, 2008

Top Car GPS Buying Tips

By Kaye Fretz

A car GPS is essential for car owners. Anyone who owns a car and who wants to get rid of the inconveniences of paper maps and asking for directions, this is the perfect device for you. There are however so many different devices to choose from. If you want one that is just perfect for you then you need to pick one carefully. Here are some GPS shopping tips.

Find Out Your Needs and Preferences

GPS devices are made to provide you with directional information. Different devices however tend to do so in different ways. If you predict that you will mostly be using your unit in your car, then you could opt for a car mounted GPS.

Car GPS - Some people however may need GPS devices that can be used both in cars and out of cars. In this case, a portable device would be perfect. If you have your own palm top, you can also decide to get a flash or Bluetooth receiver instead.

Check the Features

Varied Features - GPS devices can have limited or a lot of features. You would have to get the unit with features that you can actually use and appreciate. Among the first features you should check are those for navigation.

User Customized Instructions - Aside from the usual maps, you might also be interested in such features as user customized instructions, voice instructions, map storage capacity and instant map updates. Other additional features may include movie player, MP3 player, backlight and heavy duty rechargeable batteries.

Test Ease of Use

Depending on the unit, some car GPS device may be difficult to manipulate or operate. Take the time to actually test a unit and find out if it is something you can be comfortable with. Of course, first time users may find it a challenge at first. There are some units though which you naturally feel incapable of operating. Usually, the portable units are less easy to manage than mounted ones. The compact features of portable devices simply make it difficult for manufacturers to incorporate user friendly features.

Compare as Many Models as Possible

The number of GPS devices available makes it impossible for one shop to carry all. You should however, take pains not to get stuck with a unit simply because there are no other units on display. A GPS system is a major purchase so make sure you take a good look around before settling for a device. One great way to compare unit features and prices is to look online. The internet is likely to hold nearly every imaginable model.

A car GPS is truly worth buying. You never have to get lost again with the right GPS unit in your car.

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