Research your options and needs before buying a Global Positioning System
As a driver, you probably already know that finding your way from A to B can sometimes end up diverting through X, Y and Z! With a Global Positioning System (GPS) you can find your way straight from A to B.
However, when you are actually buying a GPS the number of different options may be confusing and it can be difficult to decide which is your best buy. The
Buyz123 three step guide - Research, Evaluation, Purchase - is designed to assist you in this buying process.
The
Research step firstly involves investigating essential features of GPS systems available on the market, and secondly identifying your actual needs in a GPS system.
In the
Evaluation step you focus on how well the different features of individual products meet your needs, and then how well the most suitable global positioning systems compare in detail, one to another.
Finally, in the
Purchase step, the issues considered are: what to look for when actually buying the product, what questions to ask and what information you should seek on warranty, customer service, and after-sales support.
As you work though the
Buyz123 purchase strategy you will clarify your thoughts about your intended purchase, confidently compare products one to another, and then purchase a GPS that really does meet your needs.
Step 1: Research
In order to end up with the GPS system best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.
Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of GPS systems are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a GPS system.
Research the market: GPS essentials
Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are used to help you navigate your way through unfamiliar territory or help you find an easier way home if there is major traffic on your normal route. People also use GPS units to plan hiking trips, when fishing, as a safety device when skiing, and for games, such as geocaching.
The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the GPS market. The range of options can seem overwhelming, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:
Global positioning system type: Do you want a portable hand-held or wrist mounted model or a fixed one? Global positioning systems come in all shapes and sizes from ones you can wear as you exercise, to ones you can carry around with you, through to fixed models you can fix into your vehicle for use when you're driving.
Features: What do you want from a global positioning system? In general terms you get fewer options with portable models and more advanced features with fixed ones. For example, portable models that are primarily designed for exercise purposes may only give you basic navigation information such as your favourite routes etc. They will also, however, give you other features such as pacemakers, heart rate monitors, and lap times. Hand-held models will contain more actual navigation information that you can usually expand via pre-programmed memory cards which slot into the handset. Fixed models - such as those which fit into vehicles - will offer even more advanced features such as voice directions, more data/memory, increased navigation options, connections to radio stations for weather and traffic updates, MP3 and photo capability, and touch-screen technology, for example. Boat systems will give you help with navigation on the water as well as giving you information such as favourite fishing spots, sonar and depth measures.
Coverage: How much data do you need your global positioning system to hold? The data you'll get on a system will vary according to the unit you buy. Some systems will only offer a specific region as standard and others will offer country-wide or even global data.
Upgrade Facility: Do you want a global positioning system that you can upgrade from a data perspective? Some systems will allow you to upgrade the data that they contain and some won't. In most cases the updates will either take the form of updating existing data or of adding new data to the system. Your choices here include pre-programmed memory cards, CD-ROM, and Internet based updates. Some updates will come as part of your package and some will cost you extra
Batteries: The way you power your global positioning system may well depend on the type of unit that you buy. Some units use standard batteries whereas some use battery packs that will recharge in their cradle. Others will come with an A/C power adaptor.
Cost: How much have you budgeted for a global positioning system purchase? The costs you pay will be lowest with the basic portable models and will rise according to the features and benefits that you get with the system. You may also find additional costs can be involved for data upgrades, certain types of radio access such as satellite radio, and optional accessories such as antennae for example.
Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself
Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a GPS system. For example, will you use the GPS system only for driving or do you go hiking or camping?
You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.
| What kind of GPS do I want? |
| | Do you want a small portable GPS unit that you can carry around or a larger unit for use in a car or boat. |
| Have I used a GPS before? |
| | If you have used a GPS, work out what you did or didn't like about the GPS. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient. |
| How do I want to use my GPS? |
| | Will you be using the GPS when exercising or hiking or in a vehicle? Will you be able to stop and use the GPS or will you have to quickly refer to it on the move? If you're moving when using it you will want a larger and clearer screen and easy to use controls. |
| Do I need an updatable global positioning system? |
| | You can update the data on your global positioning system through software on your PC, via the Internet, or you might prefer to slot in pre-programmed memory cards as you need them. |
| What kinds of features do I need? |
| | You could have a GPS that will talk you through directions or just show you the information you need, one that has a touch-screen, or one that can also access radio stations to give you music channels and on the spot traffic and weather updates. There are also additional features such as the ability to show photos, or work as an MP3 player, or allow you to use pacemakers and lap times. |
| How will I power my global positioning system? |
| | You can use standard or rechargeable batteries, or you can have a global positioning system that comes with a charger unit instead. Fixed units general use the power source of the vehicle they are installed in. |
| What kind of mapping coverage do I need? |
| | You might want mapping information that covers a specific region or country or the whole world. |
| How much can I spend? |
| | System prices vary depending on features, portability and capacity. |
Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.
Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of GPS systems and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.
Video Links
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