Comparing & Rating GPS Systems

Readability of the screen from a moderate distance away is an important feature.

How a potential buyer will rate a GPS is dependent on the needs of the buyer. Because there are such a variety of GPS systems on the market, comparing and rating them requires that you first come up with some criteria. Choose a price bracket and then determine what features are most important to you. A system that meets all of your criteria would receive a 10 out of 10. Each feature missing would result in a corresponding drop in score.

Price

Prices for GPS systems range from under $100 to several thousand, depending on the manufacturer and the features included. In order to rate systems you may end up purchasing, start by deciding on a price that you can afford and then research the manufacturers' models in that range.

Features

Once you've chosen a price bracket, important features to compare include number of points of interest (also referred to as waypoints), text-to-speech functionality, audible navigation, screen size and pixel density. If you can get to a retail outlet, it is often helpful to test both the unit's screen clarity and the functionality of its menu system.

Considerations

In order to compete with GPS applications available on smart phones, many standalone GPS systems today include optional features like built-in MP3 players, traffic routing and Bluetooth capability. If any of these features are essential to you, include them in your rating system. If not, consider them bonuses if they're included in systems that otherwise fit your criteria.

Warning

GPS systems are dependent on the accuracy of their maps. When rating and comparing GPS systems, be sure to check whether or not the unit you're considering purchasing includes a free map update. Also be sure to check the manufacturer's warranty. Some GPS systems come with as little a 90-day warranty on refurbished models, while some manufacturers can include as much as a three- or five-year warranty with their more expensive devices.

References

• Travel Bu GPS: Which GPS Should I Buy?
• Consumer Reports: GPS Guide From Consumer Reports