There are some characteristics of GPS devices that are noteworthy.
The easiness of use is also important. Some devices, for example, the Garmin Nuvi's, are like small computers - they do so much. I'm not telling you to avoid the Nuvi - I like that line of merchandise a great deal. You just need to be aware that you will have to study the manual the first time you use it. Much to Garmin's credit, the StreetPilot C devices were fashioned to be simple to use. If I were going to purchase my 67-year old grandmother an automotive GPS system, it might be the StreetPilot c340.
When you ascend in prices, you acquire a lot of additional features. Some of them are not that crucial, like having a clock. My automobile has a clock, so I don't think I need a pair of them. Bluetooth is a thing you might want if you use mobile phone in the automobile. Bluetooth technology lets you use your GPS device as a cellphone. So, if you're cutting the number of devices you have to store in the car, it is always a good idea - especially when negotiating an occupied expressway interchange.
The middle to high price range systems even have mp3 players so you can listen to audiobooks and music. That's dandy if everybody else in the car wants to hear the same music. If not, well I reckon everyone will have to use their personal iPod.
The screen size is crucial! The last thing you wish to be doing in traffic is trying to see the device's screen. Many of these merchandise lines have widescreen variations. That means 4.3-inch screens. That's almost an inch larger than the 3.5-inch screen. For a lot of people, it actually makes a difference.
Showing posts with label device. Show all posts
Showing posts with label device. Show all posts
Sunday, June 1, 2008
GPS comparisons
It's easier to find info about individual GPS products than about GPS comparisons. When I became interested in GPS systems, I searched the web, looking for comparisons which were unbiased, device ratings, or product reviews that might help me. But there were so few useful device comparisons that I decided to start my own blog.
Every navigation device work the same, all of them use the same satellite system - a net of about 30 artificial satellite that circles around the Earth and triangulate the locating of your device. When you purchase a GPS system, you're buying the receiver, which takes the transmitted signals. You don't have to pay for the useage of that expensive satellite network. It's absolutely free! All you have to do is purchase the GPS device.
But here's the trouble - which device should we buy?
The current market leaders are Magellan, Tom Tom, and Garmin. You can visit their sites for more info, but they try to accentuate their products' strong points while overlooking their weak points, and that makes it hard to compare products with that of another party. But I have no problem with this. It just makes it a little less easy to decide which device should I to purchase.
You can buy systems that are put in in your car's dash (like a radio), or portables that you can put on to a suction cup on the windscreen or occasionally on the top of your dashboard. The info in this post is focused on portable systems. They are much more affordable, and you can take your device with you for a walk or while driving other automobile.
Portables start from $200 to almost $1000. All of these Global Positioning System devices detect your position and display you paths on maps. They are pre-loaded with maps of the US and Canada. (The more low-budget ones comes with regional maps.) The quality of the maps and "points of interest", along with a good deal of additional (but valuable) features, is what makes the difference in cost.
The size of the database is very important. Those points are preloaded destinations and info about businesses, buildings, infirmaries, filling station, hotels, schools, restaurants, and in general any address that you might want to go to.
The inexpensive systems only have around 750 thousand POI pre-loaded in them. That sounds like a lot of points, but if you think how big the U.S.A. and Canada are, 750,000 hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, Starbucks and ATMs is not actually that much. The more effective systems have a a couple of millions POI. It is something worth thinking, particularly if you'll be using your device while journeying. Naturally, if you're solely using your GPS close to your home, then the number of POI might not matter at all. But again, then you might not need the GPS system at all.
Every navigation device work the same, all of them use the same satellite system - a net of about 30 artificial satellite that circles around the Earth and triangulate the locating of your device. When you purchase a GPS system, you're buying the receiver, which takes the transmitted signals. You don't have to pay for the useage of that expensive satellite network. It's absolutely free! All you have to do is purchase the GPS device.
But here's the trouble - which device should we buy?
The current market leaders are Magellan, Tom Tom, and Garmin. You can visit their sites for more info, but they try to accentuate their products' strong points while overlooking their weak points, and that makes it hard to compare products with that of another party. But I have no problem with this. It just makes it a little less easy to decide which device should I to purchase.
You can buy systems that are put in in your car's dash (like a radio), or portables that you can put on to a suction cup on the windscreen or occasionally on the top of your dashboard. The info in this post is focused on portable systems. They are much more affordable, and you can take your device with you for a walk or while driving other automobile.
Portables start from $200 to almost $1000. All of these Global Positioning System devices detect your position and display you paths on maps. They are pre-loaded with maps of the US and Canada. (The more low-budget ones comes with regional maps.) The quality of the maps and "points of interest", along with a good deal of additional (but valuable) features, is what makes the difference in cost.
The size of the database is very important. Those points are preloaded destinations and info about businesses, buildings, infirmaries, filling station, hotels, schools, restaurants, and in general any address that you might want to go to.
The inexpensive systems only have around 750 thousand POI pre-loaded in them. That sounds like a lot of points, but if you think how big the U.S.A. and Canada are, 750,000 hospitals, gas stations, restaurants, Starbucks and ATMs is not actually that much. The more effective systems have a a couple of millions POI. It is something worth thinking, particularly if you'll be using your device while journeying. Naturally, if you're solely using your GPS close to your home, then the number of POI might not matter at all. But again, then you might not need the GPS system at all.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
