How to Shop for a Car Navigation Receiver

Using a GPS unit, or global positioning systems, can be considered just as necessary a tool as your speedometer or your fuel gauge. These system direct you with turn by turn guidance to your destination, they help you find things like hotels and gas stations and they reroute you when you get lost. Never be lost again, they say, but how do you shop for one of these devices?

Instructions

1. Visit your favorite electronics store with pen and paper in hand. You will want to take notes to help you make this decision an easier one.

2. Look at the screen sizes of the receivers offered in the store. Screens generally come in two different sizes: the 3.5" standard screen and the 4.3" wide screen. If the screen size is important to you, then list this quality on your paper as something you must have.

3. Check the available maps. Units sold in the U.S. generally contain U.S. and Canadian maps but may contain maps of U.S. territories and Mexico or only the continental United States. List the receivers in your notes that have the maps that suit your needs.

4. Compare the points on interests (POIs) that each product offers. POIs are things that would be useful to travelers such as gas stations, hotels, landmarks and many more. You obviously want the receiver than has the bigger database of POIs. Write down a few of your favorite models that excel in this area.

5. Check that your receiver has text-to-speech capabilities. This feature gives your receiver the ability to say actual street and location names; instead of simply saying "turn left in two miles" a GPS receiver with text-to-speech would say turn left on Baytree road in two miles. If this feature is important to you, then list the top receivers with this quality.

6. Compare the live traffic features of each device. Live traffic is usually a subscription service that give you live updates on traffic flow and aides in rerouting you around congested areas. Decide whether you would pay for this service. If so, write down your favorite GPS candidates that support this feature.

7. Decide if multimedia features are important to you. Many upper level systems offer mp3 playback, photo slide shows, and video playback. Write down GPS receivers that match your tastes in this area.

8. Check on the upgradeability of the systems. Many companies offer free updates and extra maps that users can install via a memory card or by connecting the unit to a computer and downloading new maps to it.

9. Compare the receivers listed in your notes. If you are satisfied by the information you have gleaned and feel that you are ready to make a purchase then go ahead and buy a system. If you are not ready to purchase one, try looking through another store's inventory; you may find a better price and a better receiver.

Tips & Warnings

• Check the small print to compare the acquisition time each receiver takes to gain satellite signals. A quick re-acquisition of a signal could save your from missing an exit or a important turn.

• Choose a store with a good return policy, the best way to know if you will like using a car navigation system is to try it out!

Resources

• Magellan systems
• Garmin systems
• Electronics Retailer
• GPS reviews