GPS Buying Guide

Having your own GPS unit is both fun and useful, but only if it has what you need. There are several different kinds of GPS units out there, for driving, hiking, camping, fishing and more. Choosing one with the right features will mean the difference between finding your destination easily and asking for directions the old-fashioned way. Here are a few things to consider before buying a GPS unit.

GPS Mounts and Cases
Perhaps the most important consideration in choosing a GPS unit is how you will use it. If you are using it in your car, you want to find one that will mount easily on your dashboard. You may want to avoid adhesives, but many car GPS units come with suction cups or other means of mounting the device that won’t harm your car. If you are planning on using your GPS unit outdoors, forgo the car mount and worry more about rugged design that can handle rough use. Finding a waterproof GPS unit is definitely a good idea.

GPS Maps
GPS technology has gotten so good in recent years that you won’t have to worry much about accuracy on your GPS device. Instead, pay attention to what maps and routing software comes preloaded on your GPS unit. If you are using GPS in your car, make sure that the unit has records of roads and highways. Some even come with traffic updates to help plan the fastest routes. On the other hand, GPS units for outdoor use focus less on roads and more on terrain. Manufacturers can offer preloaded maps of lakes, rivers, mountains and other terrain on your GPS device.

GPS Battery Life
Battery life is important because the GPS unit is worthless without power. Battery life isn’t as important for car GPS units because most connect to a power source in the car. But outdoor and recreational GPS units run on batteries and you should make sure they can last for your whole trip. Decide whether you want to use disposable batteries or a built-in, rechargeable battery.

Screen size
Screen size is more important in car navigation GPS because you need to be able to see the directions from the dashboard. Screen size is still important for recreational GPS units but you don’t want it to be too big because it makes the device bigger and heavier.

After you have made your decision about the above features you can then narrow your search by looking at other things like color screen, MP3 compatibility, speech recognition and two-way radio. Then you’ll be well on your way to fun and adventure with your very own GPS unit.

To see which GPS units are the best, look at our review of Recreation GPS and Navigation GPS units. We provide rankings of the industries best GPS devices and articles about GPS uses. At TopTenREVIEWS, we do the research so you don’t have to.