| Buying a Global Positioning System (GPS) to meet | | | | to do this. |
| your needs may not be as simple as one might think. | | | | The GPS market is an ever changing market and I like |
| There are a myriad of different devices, for many | | | | to be in control of which device I want to purchase. |
| different purposes. | | | | Having said that, I am choosing to have a device |
| The first thing to consider when buying a GPS device | | | | mounted to my dash or windshield (suction cups....also |
| is its primary use. Will you be using it on the road, on | | | | illegal in some states, so make sure you know which |
| the trail, or on the water? | | | | ones!!!) with wires trailing to the power source. |
| On the road devices are usually temporary mounted in | | | | On the trail devices are handhelds which depict |
| the vehicle with suction cups or bean bags. Most of | | | | topographical, or basic mapping data, not detailed |
| these devices have turn-by-turn instructions and auto | | | | street level details. These are great for hiking and |
| correction if you miss a turn. | | | | geocaching. They have the ability to either import or |
| We recommend getting a device with the | | | | download coordinates of a location (called waypoints) |
| auto-correction feature, that way you don't have to | | | | and then tell you how close you are to that waypoint. |
| mess with the device if you take a wrong turn, it will | | | | Ever fear of getting lost hiking, well, you can set |
| recalculate the route for you automatically. | | | | different points as you walk, like a breadcrumb trail so |
| There are some devices that are also portable, so you | | | | you can get yourself out the way you came in. These |
| can unplug them from your vehicle and take them with | | | | devices range from $80-$500+ depending on the |
| you as you walk around in a large city. | | | | different capabilities of the device. |
| My favorite in this category is the Garmin c330, c340, | | | | Higher end models allow you to buy pre-loaded map |
| and c530 series. They are a wonderful size for using it | | | | detail on memory cards, so they can double as driving |
| in the vehicle and small enough to use as a portable. | | | | directions, however, they still don't have the turn-by-turn |
| They have city maps pre-loaded, so they are not | | | | capabilities. |
| much use off-road. | | | | GPS devices used on the water are fixed mount |
| Many of the newest designs have built in picture | | | | devices. These devices can have water depth, |
| viewers, MP3 players, traffic updates (careful, that | | | | temperature, etc, especially helpful for the fisherman. |
| usually costs extra!!), and many other bells and | | | | Maps that can be downloaded can have tidal waters, |
| whistles. | | | | known shipwrecks, ports, and are very detailed. There |
| One of the best features of the Garmin c-series line is | | | | is a huge range of devices to consider in this area. |
| the ability to ask for the closest landmarks, such as | | | | Keep in mind that mapping software used on these |
| food, gas, shopping, golf courses, etc. | | | | devices changes about 1-2 times per year. Less |
| Like anything you buy, make sure you understand | | | | frequently for the maps on the water. |
| what the device has and what you want to use for | | | | Understand what your devices downloading capabilities |
| before making the final decision! | | | | are so you don't get stuck with outdated maps |
| One of the most asked questions is should I buy the | | | | forever! |
| car with GPS already in it? | | | | Be aware that maps change, you have to be |
| Personally, I don't like that option because it limits how | | | | somewhat flexible when following the directions. I have |
| you can upgrade, and the device cannot be used in | | | | had instances where it tells you to "turn left here", only |
| multiple vehicles. | | | | to have that be the wrong way on a one-way street!!! |
| In addition, some car manufacturers are charging | | | | In other words, these are guides to get you close to |
| several hundred dollars to update the map data on | | | | where you need to be, you cannot use them as |
| these devices and you have little choice in using them | | | | gospel....common sense should prevail! |