Things You'll Need:
- Time
- Careful thinking
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Step 1
There are many different GPS models available (even from the same company). The difference between two models could be a difference in one small feature. Features range from MP3 players to voice readouts of street names to picture viewers. And with more features, the price can go up significantly. If all you're looking for is a solid device that will give you good directions in both text and voice, then the cheapest GPS devices will do. Oftentimes, people already have portable CD/MP3 players they can use in their cars anyway. Unless you really need the extra features and can afford them, I'd stick with the most basic features of navigation and search. This is what some of the top companies like Garmin Nuvi and TomTom are finding: most people just want the basic features to help them get from point A to point B. Hence, these companies have been finding higher demand for their lower end models.
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Step 2
You should consider the importance of the screen size. I've seen the screen for the square-shaped GPS units and they don't appear to provide a lot of space to view maps. So, I prefer the widescreen versions shaped like a rectangle. You can certainly view larger map areas and also view more options on the screen at once. It's a little more expensive (about $50-100 more), but it'll be worth it in the long run.
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Step 3
Make sure your GPS device comes with the maps you plan to use. For example, if you plan to travel to Canada or Europe a lot and plan to use your GPS unit, get the one that covers those areas or can sell those maps to you. Most of these companies should be able to sell you the maps if they don't come with them. So, you'll need to factor in the additional costs.
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Step 4
Get a device that will provide good battery life. Although they all generally come with car chargers, there are times when you'll want to use them without the charger. For example, you may be traveling on foot (e.g., hiking). Also, I tend to put my GPS unit in the glove compartment every time I park (don't want to tempt anyone to break in and steal it). So, I have to unplug the charger from the GPS unit and then plug it back in when I return to the car. For short trips, I don't want to have to plug in the charger. So, the longer the battery lasts, the less I have to deal with the charger.
