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Portable GPS Receivers Buying Guide

Examples of points of interest are restaurants, department stores, gas stations, banks, etc.

Screen Size: It is important to consider the screen size of a portable GPS receiver because if your not able to see the roads you need to take, there's no point of having GPS.

Voice Prompts: If you plan on using the GPS receiver mainly while driving, it would be best to get one that features turn-by-turn voice prompts so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.

Battery: If you plan on using the GPS system that is not connected to something for power, consider the battery life of the receiver.

Re-Routing Capabilities: Re-routing capabilities on a GPS receiver is a feature that re-calculates another route for you when you miss a turn.

Most portable GPS receivers designed for use in a car have re-routing capabilities, though some may not so its always good to double check.

Included Accessories: Check to see whether the GPS receiver comes with the accessories you need such as an AC/DC adapter, car mount, cables, cases, etc.

GPS: A receiver that calculates its absolute geographic position by determining its relative position to a set of at least three satellites. 

How to Choose a GPS Receiver

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.

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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. 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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