How
to Choose a GPS Receiver
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One of the hardest decisions
you will face when purchasing a GPS Receiver is finding the
right GPS Unit for you.
You can ask both retailers
and GPS experts what the best units are. However, when
choosing a GPS Receiver, your needs may differ from the needs
of another, so, you should determine which unit you want to
use on your own, based on exactly what your GPS specs are..
If you want to take your GPS
everywhere you go, then a handheld GPS Unit is a great option.
There are various types of handheld GPS Units on the market,
so once you determine what type of GPS receiver you want you
may want to examine and compare the features of each unit.
Garmin makes excellent handheld GPS Units such as the Garmin
Etrex Legend CX. |
The other option you can choose
from is the Portable GPS Unit.
Both Magellan and Garmin make
Portable GPS Units. Depending on what you are looking for, you may
want to go with a Garmin Portable GPS Unit such as the Garmin
Portable StreetPilot C320 or a Magellan Portable GPS Unit such as
the Magellan Roadmate 3050T.
How GPS Works
A GPS receiver uses a triangular
technique to pinpoint your exact location on a map. The triangular
formation uses three or four satellites at one time to send a signal
to and from the GPS receiver. It does not matter whether you are
using a Portable GPS Unit or a Handheld GPS Unit, you will need to
be able to make contact with the satellites in order for the GPS
receiver to work.
Once the satellites and the GPS
receiver send signals, the distance from each of the three
satellites to the receiver is computed and a location is determined.
Other GPS Units use palm pilots or
PCs to display the location information.
GPS Receivers are designed to look
familiar. GPS Units sometimes include speedometers, which resemble
those in cars. This makes GPS Units both appealing and easy to use,
since you can mimic these applications when using them on your GPS.
Choosing Based on Features
The first GPS receivers were
attractive to a wide variety of individuals and they all had the
same or similar features. Now, GPS Receivers still cater to a wide
variety of people, though rather than having to deal with every
single feature you may not use in one GPS Unit, the GPS Units have
been divided into brands (Magellan, Garmin, tomtom, etc.), types
(portable GPS Units, handheld GPS Units, GPS PDAs, etc.) and uses
(driving, hiking, etc.)
You may still want a universal GPS
Unit or you may want to pick out a specific GPS Unit based on why
you are using your GPS. If you want a portable GPS Unit you can use
for driving, you may want to consider the Garmin StreetPilot C550.
If you want to use a handheld GPS Unit for hiking, you may want to
consider purchasing the Magellan eXplorist 200.
When picking out a GPS receiver to
suit your needs consider asking both yourself and your GPS retailer
the following questions:
·Are the maps accurate?
·Can you upgrade your unit if necessary?
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