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What GPS to buy

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Category: Uncategorised
Published on Tuesday, 29 November 2011 05:24
Written by Nikhil Chowdhary
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A GPS device can be a source of great joy if the right buying decision is made. In this article we will help you in making an informed GPS buying decision thereby answering the question: What GPS to buy? 

Here is an extensive list and description of all the major features in a GPS. You should read this in order to gain an understanding of what each feature means and how it impacts your GPS buying decision: 

Read post “Features of a GPS” 

Major Considerations: 

1) What is your traveler type:

Most people stay within the confines of their local (read known area) more often than not. There are only a few occasions that people will actually use a GPS device in this case – and even if you use a GPS device, all its bells & whistles (like the traffic monitoring feature) will not be required since you will already know the traffic patterns and what roads to avoid at what times. 

Others, like me – mainly in the consulting or sales business, might be required to shift their homes/travel to unknown places often. This necessitates the use of a GPS device and might also make additional features more useful. So to start with, its important to identify the type of traveler you are. 

I have been able to think of these 4 broad classifications. Please feel free to suggest additions/deletions in comments: 

  • Frequent traveler/ mostly known places: You need a very basic GPS device – no TTS, no TMC
  • Frequent traveler/unknown places: In this case the time required to travel becomes important – if reaching on time every time is important, then you should consider both TMC & map updates seriously. Buying a GPS with free/cheap and frequent map updates and maybe a lifetime free TMC will be advisable. TMC is mostly a hit and miss service though, so if you have an internet enabled phone, you might better off consulting one of the various online services for traffic.
  • Occasional traveler/known places: Re-consider getting a GPS, see if you cannot do with online mapping services – Google Maps, Bing Maps, MapQuest et all. For traffic information, you can either rely on the above mentioned mapping services, or consult the excellent Sigalert service if you live in California. Also weigh your chances of getting a smartphone in the near future, that will satisfy your basic mapping needs as well.
  • Occasional traveler/unknown places: POIs – very important. Especially since I assume you would be travelling to unknown/new places and staying there for a while – its good to have an extensive POI Database to be able to make impromptu dinner plans etc while you are already out shopping. Imagine you are in the local mall and all of a sudden have this craving for Thai food – if you have a GPS with POI category by cuisine for restaurants, you can immediately search for all Thai restaurants in the area and pick one up.