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Step 1
Find a reputable electronics review site, general consumer reports site and an online retailer that features customer reviews (see Resources). You will use these three sites to get a variety of perspectives on GPS models and the characteristics that define them.
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Step 2
Navigate to the GPS section of each site by either browsing through categories or using a search function. If the sites you're using offer multiple ways of organizing your product results, organize them by the criterion that is most important to you. This might be brand, price or even customer rating.
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Step 3
Set your budget so that you can disregard models that are clearly outside your price range.
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Step 4
Look closely at the specs of the models that you haven't eliminated to see if any of them are not compatible with your other computers or devices. For example, many GPS models must be synced with a computer for full functionality, but some only work with PCs. For a Mac owner, this would be a poor choice.
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Step 5
Examine the product specs to make sure that the maps on each GPS receiver can be updated via the Internet or satellite. GPS systems that cannot be updated with new maps will eventually become obsolete, but those that can be updated will remain useful over the long term.
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Step 6
Decide whether you want text-to-speech instructions and, if you do, look for models with this feature. Most GPS receivers today have audio functions through which the systems can "speak" to users, offering turn-by-turn driving directions and other prompts. But text-to-speech capabilities mean that the system can communicate actual street and location names, which can enable you to more easily use the GPS without looking at it. For example, while driving, a GPS with text-to-speech capability may tell you to turn right on Main Street rather than to turn right in 1 mile.
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Step 7
Look for the availability and cost of subscription features from one model to the next. Many GPS receivers allow you to subscribe to an information system that will direct real-time traffic data to the receiver. Other subscription services will give you time-sensitive alerts including news, emergency weather announcements and road closures. These services may be included free for life or for a limited term with the purchase of a receiver, but customers must often pay a fee to use them.
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Step 8
Read user reviews on retail websites to learn what customers think of these systems. If you detect common complaints that appear in multiple user reviews but that aren't discussed in other reviews, this step can help you avoid a purchase that you'll regret.
