Laptops For Less Blog

Tips on Buying a GPS Sat-Nav

It’s dark outside, you’ve been on the road for hours. That turn is around here somewhere, the directions lay on the map lying on the passenger-side seat beside you. Did you miss the turn? Is the map wrong? A GPS Sat-Nav can save a lot of hassle when you’re driving in unfamiliar territory. The true question is not whether you should buy a GPS Sat-Nav, but rather which one you should buy. This article contains some tips on picking the GPS Sat-Nav that’s right for you.

GPS Sat-Nav stands for; “Global Positioning System Satellite Navigation”. It operates through a series of satellites orbiting the earth tracking the microchip in your GPS device. GPS Sat-Nav units come in two basic types, a suction cup portable unit, and a built in system. Both types of units have pros and cons. A built in system will use your antenna to have interruptible access to the satellite. The suction cup models have a built in antenna to help them both send and receive the signal.

A GPS Sat-Nav is obviously more expensive than a paper map, but it does offer a number of clear benefits. If your career requires a lot of road time, you enjoy taking road trips for vacation, or you have family states away, a GPS Sat-Nav can be a very useful addition to your vehicle. An added benefit to a GPS receiver over a road map is the ability to have access to live traffic reports which will [hopefully] steer you around any major hassles/inconveniences. GPS Sat-Nav devices are obviously not a have all, end all device. If you find yourself getting lost, or planning a trip they can be an invaluable tool. Just remember to use common sense, and you’ll find a GPS unit a great addition.

One important concern for GPS Sat-Nav devices is safety. Just like a cell phone, you cannot operate these devices whilst driving. Enter your information before the trip to keep safe on the road, or train your passenger(s) to be your navigator. Some of the newer GPS models now accept voice commands which makes life a lot easier if you’re driving alone. These features are built with the idea of safety in mind. Safety features and functionality are the two key components of buying a GPS Sat-Nav.

Important options to look at include the; screen, coverage, shape and size, and technology. The screen is important because it acts as the interface. The display should be easy to see and read no matter what the lighting condition. A color screen that can shift between night and day settings is a helpful addition. The coverage is almost as important. street level maps are an important aspect of the GPS Sat Nav system. Some providers though may charge to unlock
maps, available through downloads off the internet or through CDs/DVDs.

If you have multiple cars, a lightweight portable model is a good choice. A permanent mounted/built in device may offer some good features, but you can’t take it with you if you sell your car. Several options can increase the cost of a GPS device such as; touch screen controls, automatic re-routing and multiple perspectives of maps.

All of these tips will help you get to your destination, and next time you won’t miss that turn! You can buy a wide selection of GPS devices from LaptopsForLess.com.