How to Buy a GPS Navigation System

Series Summary

Chances are if you’re in the market for a GPS system, you’d much rather have this little computer mastermind tell you how to get someplace than have to stop and ask for directions. Chances are also good that if you’re not big on directions, you’re not big on instructions either. You’d much rather muddle through unfamiliar menus and mysterious functions than have to read the manual. If such is the case, then this series of instructional videos is perfect for you. No need to read the instructions, just watch and learn.

In this series of free technology how-to videos, our GPS computer expert shows you how to use your Global Positioning System to find your way around. Rick Kennedy first discusses purchase options for GPS systems, then tells you how to set up your new system and get started using it. Why read the manual when he demonstrates how to set your locations and destinations as well as your points of interest? Stumped when it comes to configuring your cell phone with your GPS to make the traffic feature work? Relax and let our expert talk you through. You’ll be on the road again in no time, but now you’ll know exactly where you are and where you’re going.

Video Transcript

"Hi, my name's Tony and on behalf of Expert Village, this is how to use your GPS, basic addition, of course. Let's go. Chapter 1: Choosing the right GPS for you. These days GPS units are probably the hottest thing on the market. A lot of the newer cars are starting to come out with them pre-installed into your car. If you didn't have that unique opportunity to have that installed in your car, you can get these after market ones. Here I have a Tom Tom one, which this one mounts right into your car. You put it on your windshield, plug it into your cigarette lighter and there you go. It's also portable, it's battery powered, so that's why I don't have any wires plugged up right here. The other possibilities, these are more for campers and outdoors men. This is a hand-held unit. Simple to use, has a little mouse and everything plugged up in here. You take this one pretty much anywhere. It's waterproof, it runs off two AA batteries, and you can use it anywhere you go. So all the units range in price anywhere form a simple $100 one up to over $1000, actually. All the units differ pretty much by points of interest, which are you'll have the computer actually choose what you want, whether it's a restaurant or a movie theater, whatever it is. And then, of course, screen size. If they're touch screen, if they have blue-tooth compatibility so you can plug them up to your phone, if they are portable, if they're not portable, if they're stationary in your car, if they're not. These are all the different options you have to choose from, so make sure you choose the best GPS for you based on your needs, you want it to be more portable, if you want it to be more stationary, if you want it to be hand-held, exactly, whatever you want. Just choose like that. So these are two examples here, I hope they help you choose a little bit easier, and that's about it."