RicLee

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum AND GPS systems. I join in hopes that I can learn all I can before making my selection. So far I like what I have read here at the forum and maybe one day I can be a productive member by helping others who are in my category. My ignorance in GPS is way below newbie so please bear with me if some of my questions sound super elementary.

Andy

Hi ricklee! Everyone's new at things at some point. I prefer elementary questions as I usually don't understand the complicated ones!

Ask away whenever you've got questions. Picking a gps can be a daunting task with all the ones out there now.

RicLee

Hi Andy, thanks. Okay then, questions will be popping outta me. Do all GPS models allow for computer hookup to get the newest maps, are they all battery operated with hookup to the cigarette lighter too and do they all have voice as well as maps? That's what I can think of at the moment. I can't afford the higher priced ones and after making a choice, I suppose I will need to wait until a special sale to get one.

Andy

Most GPS that are designed to be used in a car will have voice guidance. Some just say "turn right at the next street" while others will tell you the street name, "turn right on Main street". Every car based GPS has a cig lighter power cord. Some also use the same cord as an antenna to receive traffic updates, to give you live traffic. Some use rechargable batteries built in and some use rechargable AA type.

If you look at handheld model GPS devices, this is where you'll see AA's being used. I use a hiking GPS in my car and on my motorcycle. It has an optional cig lighter power cord to keep it going when not using the batteries.

Not all brands have updates available. I really like Garmin devices and have been using them for about a decade now. They update the firmware in the devices quite a bit, but map updates usually come once a year for about $70.

Basically when it comes to price, most of the time the more expensive models have more features. Any of them will get you from A to B.

The easiest way to pick a GPS, is to first decide what features you need. Here are some possible things to consider. Do you want to be able to design a route ahead of time (saving it for later)? Do you want to save a bread crumb like trail to see where you went? Do you need a touch screen? Do you need bluetooth to interface to your phone? Water proof? Speaks street names? Traffic interface? XM interface? Will you use on it on foot?

Seems like a lot of questions but those type of things will help narrow down the vast options out there today. When I bought my first GPS, only Garmin and Magellan were ones I had heard of. Today it seems like everyone is trying to sell a GPS (Sony, Harman Kardon, LG, Sanyo, etc).