Before you jump online or head out to the GPS store to compare GPS systems, there are some things you should consider and keep in mind.
Determine how you are going to use your GPS. Are you looking for a GPS that will give you driving directions to your friend's house two states away, or are you an adventurer who is planning on trekking through remote terrain? You will also need to think about how portable your GPS will need to be. If you plan on predominately using it in your car you won't need to be able to throw in your pocket. Adventurous types or those who may use it while walking (or geocaching) will need a light-weight portable model.
Although there is a wide variety of GPS devices available, there are three main GPS manufacturers on the market; Garmin, TomTom and Magellan. The basic models of each are very similar. The main difference you should take into consideration is how many preloaded destinations you want or need. The average person who rarely ventures outside a 50 mile radius of his home will not need many preloaded destinations and can opt for a cheaper model with fewer presets. If you're a hard-core road-tripper whose idea of a fun weekend is to get in the car and drive until you run out of gas, you might want more preloaded destinations. These models will be more expensive. The units range from having a few hundred preloaded destinations to roughly 6 million (Garmin Nuvi 200).
The outdoorsman will have options to consider as well. Does it need to be waterproof? Do you need an altimeter? Do you need a heart-rate monitor?
As GPS technology increases, GPS device's become even easier to use. Newer models allow you to enter in an address just by speaking; however, you may pay a little more for this feature.
Before you purchase a GPS device, do some research and read customer reviews. These may give you the best insight into which GPS device is right for you.
 | A car GPS navigation system will make sure that you never get lost, even in unfamiliar places. Convenience features like traffic reports, waypoint navigation and turn-by-turn directions let you focus on your driving with the confidence that an experienced navigator is guiding you to your destination. |
What is the best portable GPS? The jury may no longer be out. |
While GPS can be a valuable aid for boaters, hikers and campers, it does have limitations. Learn how GPS units can fail and what you can do if this happens. |
 | What is GPS used for? It takes signals from a constellation of 24 satellites that orbit the earth-converting those signals into real time positioning information that is accurate to within 30 feet. |
These days, the portable car GPS system has an accuracy of less than 50 feet. Prices are quickly dropping and features that were only available on high-end models are becoming commonplace at lower price points. |
