Evaluate how well a GPS meets your needs and compares to competing products
If you've completed step one you've identified what you need in a global positioning system (GPS) and you've learned about the different features of global positioning systems. While you were doing your research, you probably started the process of determining which features - and thus which type of GPS - will best meet your needs. Now you are going to continue that process, but in greater detail.
In this step you will evaluate the global positioning systems available on the market to determine how well they meet your personal needs and establish, by a process of elimination, an initial short-list of contenders. Then you will compare these short-listed global positioning systems to find out which ones stand out from the competition.
Evaluate how well a Global Positioning System meets your needs
Your priority at this point in your evaluation is to find the available global positioning systems in the market that best meet your needs. You can save a lot of time during this activity by quickly eliminating any global positioning systems that are unsuitable because they don't meet your key requirements. For example, if you have a limited budget for this purchase then you can ignore any GPS's that clearly exceed your price limit.
A global positioning system (GPS) is a great tool to have when travelling or hiking, or when trying to find your way through an unfamiliar part of town. Since GPS units have grown in popularity, their prices have gone down. You can now purchase a basic unit for a reasonable or even budget price if you shop around. Higher end units can cost a large amount however, so you should first determine what you want to use your GPS for in order to buy the right one.
Tip: If you want to use a GPS primarily for outdoor activities such as geocaching, you can buy a lower end model that allows you to plot way points and store a few maps. Higher end versions have colour screens, ability to find local attractions, and help you find alternate routes when needed.
There are two types of GPS units available, dash-mounted (fixed) and handheld (portable) units. Dash-mounted units are for those who use their GPS unit for road trips and getting around town. Handheld units are for those who hike, ski, and participate in other outdoor sports.
Tip: While handhelds can be used in the car, you will have to buy a special mount for the dash. Also, dash-mounted units have larger screens, while handhelds have smaller screens and are more suited to use as a portable.
GPS units work by bouncing off radio signals from twenty-three satellites that have been launched into space and are visible at different times during the day. It is these satellites that will give you an exact location of places you want to get to and your current location as well.
When looking for a GPS unit, you should consider the following: reception, mapping capabilities, durability, power, and storage capacity. Depending on what you will be using your GPS unit for, some of these features will be more important than others.
The quality of the reception you get depends on the number of channels. The greater number of channels, the more satellites it can send signals to, which will get you the information you need much faster. Choose a GPS unit with at least 12 channels.
Tip: Dash-mounted GPS units typically receive signals faster than handheld units, but it also depends on where you are.
If you plan on travelling often and do not want to buy maps, investing in a quality GPS unit with enhanced mapping and zoom capabilities is for you. Full-color maps are available on the units, which for some is more convenient than looking at folding maps.
Some global positioning systems offer a lot of data coverage in pre-loaded slots. The inference here is that you can access standard data and then use the pre-loaded additional data if you travel farther afield. Do be aware that some systems will charge you extra to unlock this data - so check that this will be worth your while before you buy.
For those who use GPS units for outdoor sports including fishing, buying a GPS that is waterproof is a good idea.
Handheld GPS units rely on batteries to make them run. Basic units will not last more than a day using batteries, so you if you are planning on long hiking trips, you should buy a unit that has a longer battery life and carry extra batteries.
Many people like to store maps, waypoints, and other information on their GPS unit. In order to do so, you should purchase a unit that has at least 8MB of memory. More expensive units have 16 MB and 32MB of memory or more.
Tip: In order to get the most from your GPS unit, try to find one that will allow you to upgrade your memory when you need to by inserting additional memory cards.
A GPS unit can be used for a variety of activities and will help you if you become lost or need to find an alternate way home.
When you were considering your requirements in a GPS it's likely that you singled out certain factors such as type, display, capacity, included maps and cost as being of major significance. As with so many other products, the more features offered, the higher the price.
Buyz123 has created a checklist containing examples of major features; you can work from this checklist when evaluating how well various GPS units meet your personal needs:
Features Checklist
Dash-mount GPS unit
- size: 4.3 in. x 3.4 in. x 1.1 in. weight - 7.8 oz.
- size: 4.8 in. x 3.8 in. x 1.4 in. weight - 8.64 oz
- Antenna: built-in multidirectional patch
Handheld GPS unit
- 2.2 in. x 4.7 in. x 1.3 in. weight - 5.4 oz
- Antenna: built-in multidirectional patch
Display screen
- 3.5 in. diagonal touch screen: full-color
- high resolution
- transflective TFT (Thin Film Transistor - a type of LCD screen)
- backlit
- automatically adjusts to light conditions
- 2.25 in. diagonal, 16-color transflective TFT, high resolution (122 x 160), backlit (handheld units)
Reception
- 12 channels
- 14 channels
- 20 channels
Accuracy
- 3 to 5 meters (10 - 16 feet)
Battery
- Li-Ion rechargeable 1200 MA
- Li-Ion rechargeable 2100 MA
- Li-Ion rechargeable 1350 MA
- 12 V AC or 12 VDC vehicle adapter
- Four AA batteries or 12 V USB adapter (handheld models)
- Three (3) AAA batteries (handheld models)
Battery Life (dash-mounted and handheld models)
- Three or more hours
- Four or more hours
- Six or more hours
- Eight or more hours
- 17 or more hours (handheld models)
Memory (dash-mounted and handheld models)
Maps
- 48 contiguous United States, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Canada on CD-ROMs for upload to internal memory or Secure Digital (SD) cards (you must buy cards separately)
- 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, US Virgin Islands. (Maps of 27 European countries sold separately)
- Worldwide - Includes cities, highways, waterways, parks, & airports
Case (dash-mount and handheld models)
- Rubber impact-resistant plastic
- water-resistant seal
- high-impact plastic
Warranty and Support (dash-mount and handheld units)
- user's manual
- 1-3 year
- 1 year limited parts warranty
- Customer service via phone and email
There are a lot of features listed here, and some of them may not be relevant to your particular requirements. So, work your way through the list and assess how each of these features impact on your GPS needs. You can then create a personalized checklist of the features you really require in a GPS.
Once you have finished evaluating the global positioning systems available for sale in the light of your personal needs and arrived at a short-list of 'possibles' you are ready to progress to the next stage. This involves comparing the global positioning systems one-on-one in order to find those that really stand out.
Evaluate how well a Global Positioning System compares with competing Global Positioning Systems
Comparing the items on your interim short-list, one to another, is an important part of the purchasing process - we all want to buy the best product we possibly can. So once you have established a short-list of units that meet your needs it is time to evaluate how well they compare in fine detail. This way you can assemble a select list of GPS units that stand out from the crowd.
Questions to ask yourself:
Which GPS on my short-list gives me the best value for money?
Which GPS has the best price?
Which GPS has the best features and benefits?
Which GPS is the easiest to use?
Which GPS seems of the highest quality?
Which GPS will give me the most relevant information and data?
Which GPS is the most suitable for my needs?
By answering these simple questions, you are actually eliminating global positioning systems that aren't absolutely right for you. This is an excellent time - if you haven't done so already - to evaluate how well your short listed products measure up in the following areas: Physical Quality, Warranty Conditions and Accessories & Extras.
Physical Quality
Regardless of the method you use when purchasing the global positioning system, you need to find an opportunity to examine the product to evaluate how well it is made, and to check that it is truly suitable for you and your purpose. This is the time to examine the quality of the materials, and how well the item is put together. Check the assembly - are any joins solid, or do the nuts, bolts and screws hold the item together snugly? It's also important to examine the item from the perspective of ease of use. How easily are components removed for cleaning and maintenance? Are the controls easy to use? Make sure the item fits you physically, and that it is manageable - some items look great on paper, but unexpected problems will show up when you finally get your hands on them.
Physical Inspection Checklist:
- Materials - quality, appearance
- Assembly - all parts held together securely, good quality fittings
- Solidly constructed - stable, no loose components
- Proper fit of removable parts - easy to remove and replace, fit snugly
- Controls - visible, easy to use, accessible, clearly labelled
- Size - appropriate for surroundings and purpose - fits user correctly
- Appearance - well finished, appropriate color, neat fittings etc
- Easy and comfortable to use
Warranty Conditions
Similar products may be available with significantly different terms and conditions, and you want to get the best deal you can. Parts and labor are often covered under separate warranties, for different time periods; sometimes there can be a significant difference in the warranty offered with one model compared to that offered with the next model up. It is particularly important to investigate any conditions that might void a warranty, such as if you use different batteries to those recommended.
Warranty Checklist:
- Duration - check the specifics
- Parts, Labour, Mechanical, Electrical
- Exactly what is covered
- Exactly what is excluded
- Conditions or actions that may void the warranty
Accessories, Extras and Consumables
When evaluating similar products, it is a good idea to include accessories in your assessment. You need to be clear about exactly what accessories are necessary to run the product to its full capacity, and whether these are included with the purchase. What other facilities are required - do you need internet access, for instance? What about a contract or service plan? It's also important to consider consumables, such as batteries - some products have higher associated costs than others.
Accessories Checklist:
- Accessories - included or extra cost
- Upgrades - will the product needs upgrades, what are the costs?
- Compatibility issues - will it work with your existing products?
- Registration - what are the time frames and costs?
- Internet access - is this necessary?
- Consumables - how often and how much?
- Contracts or Service Plans - conditions, penalties, costs
- What else will you need to enjoy this product?
Once you've worked through the Evaluation step you will have a final short-list of global positioning systems that meet your needs and stand out from competing products on the market. It's time then to move on to the third and final step: Purchase.
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