GPS Buyer's Guide
Introduction
A decade ago, the market for consumer grade GPS receivers was very limited. GPS systems were expensive and market primarily to the aviation and marine industry. Today, GPS systems are relatively inexpensive and come in a plethora of styles to suit almost every need. In fact, it is easy to become overwhelmed with hundreds of different models by a half dozen or so popular manufacturers.
This guide is by no means comprehensive, but it is offered in the hopes that it will enable you to make a better buying decision when it comes time to purchase a GPS system for yourself.
Broadly speaking, GPS systems can be broken down into a number of major categories:
- Automotive GPS Systems
- GPS Systems for Hiking and Backpacking
- GPS Systems for Athletics & Sports
- Marine GPS Systems
- Aviation GPS Systems
- Specialized GPS Systems
Most users will be looking for a GPS in one of the first four categories, so that is where we will focus in this guide.
Automotive GPS Systems
Probably the fastest growing segment of the GPS market is in automotive systems. Indeed they have become so popular that for the past several years, many automobile manufacturers have begun including them as optional or even standard equipment. If you are fortunate enough to own one of these vehicles, you already know how indispensible the GPS can be, although you may be wondering what additional features some of the latest units may offer. If not, and if you spend a lot of time driving, especially in places where you are not intimately familiar with the roads and traffic conditions, you are in for a treat.
It is not the purpose of this guide to make specific recommendations of one brand over another. At the end of this article you will find links to the most popular GPS manufacturers web sites. We encourage you to visit these sites and examine the various offerings in order to make the best possible choice for your needs.
There are several factors you will want to keep in mind when comparing different automotive GPS systems:
- Availability of suitable mounting hardware
- Size and quality of the display
- Ease of use
- Availability of maps
- Extra map features (Points of Interest)
- Intelligent routing
- Voice prompting
- Live traffic display
- Compatibility with Bluetooth-enabled cell phones
Most of the above features are self explanatory, but a couple deserve extra attention. Several states in the US (including California) have outlawed windshield-mounted accessories, so if you life in an affected state, keep this in mind. Make sure you select a quality display of sufficient size that you will be able to easily read it in all conditions (bright sunlight or nighttime). When you are driving your car, it is important that you not be distracted by difficult-to-use GPS systems when navigating. Look for features like touch-screen displays and voice prompting to insure ease-of-use of the system. If you are often stuck in heavy traffic, note that some GPS systems offer on-screen display of traffic (subscription fee required). If you life in one of the many states that have outlawed the use of cell phones while driving, you may be interested to know that many GPS units are Bluetooth enabled and may allow you to use your cell phone in hands-free mode when you are driving.
As far as prices go, there is a lot of variation. If you would like to purchase a new unit, there are many places that sell them online and you can shop around for the best price. Many people may not realize that the eBay marketplace is also a great place to get good deals on both new and used items, so you may also want to take a look at the Automotive GPS Devices category (in the column to your left) when you do your shopping.
GPS Systems for Hiking and Backpacking
If you like to explore the great outdoors but worry about becoming lost, an inexpensive handheld GPS may allow you to put your concern to rest. Prices for new units begin around $100 for a basic ruggedized unit. More advanced models add extra features some people may find useful, including two-way FRS radio systems, the ability to load USGS topological maps, and more.
Here is a brief list of features to consider when you purchase a handheld GPS for hiking and backpacking:
- Size & weight
- Battery life
- Size and quality of display
- Ability to load maps
If you spend much time hiking or backpacking, you now how important it is to minimize the weight you are carrying. This is an important factor to keep in mind when you are looking at a handheld GPS. Battery life is also important as you don’t want to be forced to carry extra batteries if it can be avoided. The last two features should probably be considered together. If you would like the ability to load USGS topological maps, you will want to insure both that the unit you are looking at supports this capability AND has a display of sufficient quality (color, resolution, size) to make it easy to read in both bright and dark conditions.
GPS systems in this category do not change as rapidly as most other categories, so you may be able to pick up a used current model at a significant savings if you are looking for the best deal. Check out the Recreational GPS Devices category (in the column to your left) for good deals on new or used handheld GPS units.
GPS Systems for Athletics and Sports
Runners, cyclers, and athletes of all types who spend time outdoors may be interested to learn that there are portable GPS systems made with you in mind. Many systems have built-in heart rate monitors, cadence sensors, display calories burned and may even provide turn-by-turn directions should you become lost!
Prices are a little higher for these more specialized GPS systems, starting around $150. Some features to look at before making a purchase include:
- Size & weight
- Battery life
- Desirable special-purpose functions
- Display quality
As usual, the intended use of the unit should dictate which features are the most important. If you are a runner, you don’t want a bulky unit to slow you down. If you are a cycler, you may want a slightly larger unit with a more capable display and longer battery life. Some athletes may find the heart rate monitor or other special purpose functions valuable.
When you are ready to make a purchase, shop around for the best price and don’t forget to check the Recreational GPS Devices category to your left for competitive prices on new and used GPS systems for running, cycling, and other outdoor sports.
Marine GPS Systems
As one of the oldest users of GPS system, the Marine GPS category has not surprisingly become rather specialized in order to cater to mariners of all types. Here we will focus exclusively on the recreational segment of the market.
If you own a boat large enough for multi-day excursions, you may want to consider a GPS chart plotter. These units will have built-in marine charts and may even support optional features such as sounder capability. If you own a smaller boat, you may wish to consider a waterproof handheld GPS that will float in the water if you accidentally drop it.
Prices are somewhat higher in this category than in others, so here are some features to consider before making your purchase:
- Which marine charts are preloaded?
- Can additional maps be loaded?
- Size & quality of the display
- Multi Function Display (MFD) compatibility
- Is WAAS mode supported?
- Is the unit ruggedized against a marine environment?
- Is a sounder included?
As prices in this category are considerably higher than in other categories, you’ll want to perform careful research before deciding which unit to purchase. Check to see if the charts you need are preloaded on the unit. Check to see if they can be updated and if additional charts can be loaded. Insure that the size and quality of the display are sufficient for your needs. Color displays can convey a lot more information than greyscale displays, and may save precious time when operating in difficult conditions. The same goes for larger displays. Some of the higher-end units are MFD compatible, enabling you to superimpose information from other instruments on the display. Additionally, some units contain a sounder enabling you to see depth contours and fish.
Whatever unit you choose, make sure it is ruggedized to the environment you will be operating in. Look for IPX7 water resistance for mounted units, and full waterproofing and floatation for handheld marine units. In addition, if you need the ultimate in accuracy, make sure the unit you select is WAAS compatible.
When you are ready to buy a Marine GPS system, check out the Marine GPS Devices category to your left for competitive prices on new and used unit.
GPS Manufacturer Web Sites
The following is a list of popular GPS manufacturer web sites. Use this as a convenient starting point when comparing features and list prices.
In alphabetical order: