Want to know what features can you choose for your GPS? Here's the most important of them.

[edit] Steps

Choosing A Car GPS
- Car GPS prices vary since there are hundreds of combinations out there of units' screen size and features, mixed and matched to address many needs. For example, a car GPS with a small screen and basic mapping features is perfect for somebody who doesn't change routes very often; the $150 is good enough. But its another story when it comes to a satellite radio-capable GPS with a bigger screen; prices can be as high as $700. And those hungry for more maps that can even outline terrain landscape contours will need to fork over an extra $200 to $300.
- As in everything that needs to be bought in our value-for-money day and age, check what kind of buy will fit sufficiently your priorities. For example, do you need a GPS to be able to work more efficiently as a salesman, or do you need it for a less urgent need, say, the occasional family trip?
And by the way, a non-mapping GPS receiver, one of the less expensive models, shows a “plotter screen.” On a higher level is a basemap GPS receiver which can display major roads, rivers, bridges and other geographical information of the federal highway system. A mapping GPS receiver is the most advanced, displaying (aside from roads) restaurants, banks, gas stations and other points of interests. A mapping receiver has a database of street address, and an electronic map helps in the navigation.
- Its also important to plan out the way your GPS will get mounted. Be careful about thinking of placing the device on your windshield. Remember that some states prohibit this. Instead, you may want to take your pick between attaching the device to the air-vent or propping up your GPS on a flat surface somewhere on the dashboard.
- You may want to get regular map update services if you tend to move around a lot on a regular schedule.
- Are you particular about how maps look in your unit? Depending on how much you are willing to shell out for this additional feature, your screen can show maps in either 3D or 2D view (both views will show you progressing through the map). This feature is the one cut above the cheaper one of the screen reporting your numerical coordinates and remaining trail to complete.
- You can also adjust your automatic destination routing: point-to-point routing, or the more automated yet pricier multi-segment trips?
- Advanced GPS units have also gone the road taken by the iPhone; keypads have been taken over by touch screens, making things really convenient. Touch screens can be used to type in addresses, find POIs, and changing GPS preferences. Some touch screens show a virtual keyboard which makes data entry a breeze.
- Regarding real-time traffic reports, an FM receiver (can be added, if it is not part of the system) on a GPS with traffic report capability can get signals from the Traffic Message Channel (TMC), available for subscription in selected cities. What you get is traffic tie-ups and construction information which are shown on your GPS map, saving you from delays by way of alternate routes. A few GPS models are now even capable of automatically shifting you to the nearest alternative routes, based on the TMC reports.
- If you want to see the need for media card slots, then read this. GPS devices keep mapping and POI data in either of the following two ways: on a built-in hard drive, or on flash memory, like Micro SD Cards. The nifty thing about hard-drive models is that these tend to be quicker at computing routes and looking up POIs; on the other hand, they are not as durable as media cards. Hard-drive-based models really don't need a media card slot, but such a slot will come in handy when you want to refresh maps and protect addresses and favorites data.
When it comes to the memory size of routes, choose the tried and tested twenty-route memory. Should you need more, going up to 50 is good enough.
Choosing A Handheld GPS
- Handheld GPS nowadays are even smart enough to record and display a breadcrumb trail as you go trekking. This can be done through waypoints, described by longitude and latitude coordinates, that you record in your GPS unit at the touch of a button. This process makes retracing your steps very easy. Some models also permit uploading your path to a computer and viewing your travels on a topographic map. Cheaper models offer waypoint recording, but allow limited track storage, while high-end models store more and allow labelling using custom names.
- If you want to get a waterproof or water-resistant model, find out more about its IPX standard; the higher the rating, the more water-resistant. An IPX of 4 is for the occasional splash of water. But if you want one that can survive a worrisome dunking, check out one with an IPX of 7.
- Channels: Channels decide how many satellite signals the GPS can receive at one time. While low-costs models got 12 channels on the average, high-end models can have as much as 24. It can be said that the more the number of channels, the more the precise the device is. A 12-channel is good enough for getting a stable signal in wooded areas.