How To Buy GPS

Thinking of getting a GPS device just for you? What do you need to know, and how do you choose the receiver that will suit your needs? Here's a guide on how to start scouting for you GPS device.

The first thing to do is ask yourself what your plans for your future GPS receiver are. Is it for personal or business use? What should the system accomplish for you? What is your overall budget for the project? Write these points down and scan through our general list of GPS receivers that might just be what you are looking for.

Types of GPS Receivers

• Mice: These RS232 receivers do not have visual or audio interfaces and are not self-contained, thus they are dependent on other devices such as pocketPCs and PDAs to display the information they carry. Linking the two devices can be through cable, memory card slot, or via Bluetooth. These are usually the kind of GPS device you can find in fixed in-car GPS navigation systems, using a separate microcomputer with an LCD screen for displaying maps.
   
• Self-Contained Receivers: These have built-in displays and some bonus features such as barometers, altimeters, radios, and an electronic compass.
   
• Standalone Dedicated GPS Receivers: These have built-in displays that have interfaces with maps from the same manufacturer. They can be easily carried to other vehicles when you decide to go on a vacation or sell your old car.
   
• Integrated GPS Receivers: You can have your GPS receiver integrated into other gadgets such as mobile phones. These can be used as dedicated GPS receiver substitutes while in transit and packs in a lot more features such as topographic maps as well.
   
• GPS locators and trackers: These can track down many trucks in a fleet or used to find your wayward teenager. These send their data through wireless devices such as transmitters and mobile phones. You can then do the monitoring via the internet.
   
• Professional Applications Receiver: These high tech devices have highly specialized features dedicated to their specific use. These devices are custom built for land surveying, mapping, military purposes, natural gas and oil, farming or seafaring. Oftentimes these devices have higher accuracy, use extra receivers and have huge memory capacity.

GPS System and Other Considerations

After getting a general idea of what type of GPS receiver is right for you, you might want to choose between devices that use maps or those that don't. You may also opt for a device where you can upload your own maps such as pocketPCs or PDAs. It would be the most flexible set-up after all. Almost all recently manufactured GPS devices can be linked to these mini PCs.

The last thing to do is look for brands that carry the device you have in mind and choose the system that fits your budget.