Have you been in the market for a Global Positioning System (GPS)? If you are new to the world of GPS systems, you may find it confusing as there are many different systems available. Begin by researching the leading brands such as Garmin, TomTom, Magellan, and Navignon. A GPS is not only a map. Features differ from one GPS system to another, but some systems can find restaurants or gas stations, play games, find alternate routes to help you avoid traffic, and play satellite radio. Before buying a GPS, think about your expectations and in what ways you plan to use it.
The military designed GPS systems and they have been approved for use by civilians. In less than 20 years, GPS devices have become commonly included in cell phones, boats, automobiles, and hand-held devices. Initially unaffordable for the general public, now GPS systems are inexpensive and can be bought for under $200 for a nice unit. There are lots of different brands out there with many different features and map types for site navigation, so make sure to check out the reviews as well as comparison shop.
According to the company website, "Garmin is founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, performance, value, and service." Established in 1989, today Garmin is actually the best-known North American brand name in Global Positioning Systems. The company is located in Kansas and does not use outsourcing at all. They handle the design, manufacture, marketing, and sales in-house. They provide GPS navigation systems for a variety of purposes, such as fitness, automobiles, hikers/campers, aviation, boating, and site navigation for geocachers.
Besides Garmin, another GPS systems leader is Magellan, with their top model being the Magellan Maestro 4250, which costs between $90 and $279 online. The TomTom ONE XL 330-S is the most popular offering by Dutch manufacturer TomTom. Pricing starts at $249. Navignon's most popular item is the 2100 Max Portable Navigator, priced as low as $248. A variety of features are available such as wide screens, customization options, text-to-speech functionality, and more. Not only do GPS units provide basic maps and point of interest locators, many can also help you locate hospitals, drug stores, and roadside assistance. Lane assist and reality view maps are also available options.
When deciding which GPS device to purchase, be sure to notice the number of "points of interest" that each offers. Anything under two million will cause frustration, with the ideal figure being about six million. Also consider the size of the screen, which can be as small as 2.1 inches, or as large as 7 inches. While large screens are optimal for vehicular use, smaller screens would be preferable if you are considering a GPS unit for hiking purposes. Select a GPS with good functional features that let you switch maps or search points of interest by tapping a button or two. Lately, additional cutting-edge features have been introduced for the higher quality GPS systems such as multi-destination tracking, satellite radio, audio book player, and enhanced MP3 player capacity. Keep in mind that knowing what you are going to use your GPS for and taking the time to do proper research will guarantee you find a suitable GPS system for all your needs.
SOURCE:
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-Can-a-Global-Positioning-System-Do?&id=2206096
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