|
eTyres care about our customers. The
following article may be of interest.
How to Choose a GPS
by J. Chartwell
You've heard that new sport, geocaching, is fun. Or,
you're tired of getting lost on your travels. Welcome to
the 21st century. Global Postioning System (GPS) has
been around long enough that prices are reasonable and
the technology is user-friendly. With myriad brands and
models, how to choose?
If you want a GPS for both hiking and driving use, then
a handheld unit would be the way to go. Some handhelds
even have accessories to allow them to be installed in
an automobile. But don't rule out a PDA. More on that in
a moment. For driving only, there are GPS receivers made
just for vehicle use.
Handheld GPS receivers are either mapping or
non--mapping. A basic, non--mapping unit can often cost
less than $100 US and usually has/displays the
following:
- Location
- Compass heading
- Elevation above sea level
- Accurate time
- Satellite location and signal strength
- The ability to calculate distance traveled
- The ability to record your path as a set of
waypoints
- The ability to navigate routes
- The ability to retrace your steps
Handheld mapping receivers do all the above plus have
the ability to display maps. The maps are either
pre--loaded or uploaded from your PC. Prices are
reasonable for mapping units, starting at around $150
US.
Paper maps are strongly recommended whether you're using
a mapping receiver or not. Paper maps do not require
batteries and probably won't go defective. Also, a paper
map gives you a "big picture" view of your situation --
something lacking on the small screen of a GPS.
I mentioned earlier your considering a PDA with GPS
capability. A PDA is bulkier and the battery life is
usually shorter, but if you're using a PDA anyway, then
there are several ways to turn a PDA into a GPS. Some
PDAs accept a GPS "sleeve." That is a device that the
PDA nestles into. Another choice is one of Garmin's
PDAs. Garmin is probably the most popular GPS maker and
they have one PDA/GPS that is Palm--based and one that
is Pocket PC--based.
Prices for automotive GPS start at around $250 US. These
provide turn--by--turn guidance. Spend a little more
than that and you get voice guidance. These are larger
than handhelds in order to accommodate a screen large
enough to be seen while driving. They are powered by the
car's electrical system and because of this, they can
only be used in a vehicle.
Many automobile manufacturers now offer built-in GPS
receivers as an option. Because they are built-in, the
big advantages are security and aesthetics. They are
quite a bit more expensive than add-on units and often
have fewer options. I've also heard some stories of
people having a hard time getting map updates.
A PDA/GPS is a good alternative for automotive use. Its
screen is about the size of an automotive unit, so
seeing the display is not a problem. They can also be
powered by the car, eliminating battery worries. The
Garmin PDAs mentioned above both come with the hardware
and software for automotive use.
If you're hiking, a basic handheld unit (without maps)
will be fine since you'll always have paper maps with
you anyway (you will, won't you?). An advantage to a
handheld mapping unit is that they usually have more
advanced features than the basic units. For driving, you
have the choice of a handheld, in--car dedicated, or
PDA. The handheld does have limited usefulness in a car,
as it does not provide turn--by--turn guidance. For a
more detailed look at how to choose a GPS, click here.
About the Author
J. Chartwell has developed Maps GPS Info.com, which
provides practical information on GPS and maps that
everyone can use. The website includes product |
