GPS Device Guide

Purchasing a GPS is all about who you are, or more exactly what you will be using the GPS device to do. Are you a hiker, a geocacher, a sportsman, a pilot, or are you just trying to get around?  You can see the user focus in how GPS manufacturer web pages are set up.  They are organized by intended usage rather than model. That's because different GPS features deal with different conditions well and the whole trick is to get the particular set of GPS features for your purpose.  

Keeping the GPS Purchase Simple

You don't have to earn a GPS degree to choose appropriate features for your GPS. The decision process can be as simple or as complex as you like and user focus on design will help protect you if you don't know which features to look for.  One eTrex Vista review on Viewpoints.com says "The more complicated the electronic equipment is, the less I use it - I use this system every time I travel anywhere."   You can be the person who wants the user friendly model "never mind the details just give me something that will tell me where to go" or the person who is invested in knowing all the details.  Either way you can still get exactly what you want. 

GPS Navigation on the Road

By far the most common (non-professional) use is a car  GPS system.  There are portable GPS units and in-dash GPS.  The in-dash models may come with the car or they may be purchased and mounted aftermarket, usually by a professional installer. There are fewer choices for the in-dash models, making it a bit easier to narrow the field.  Auto GPS prices initially started around $3,000 and it was difficult for these GPS to compete with portables in price and quality, but the prices are coming down while the quality and features are moving up. 

At just over $1000, Kenwood DNX7100 DVD receives the highest ratings throughout consumer reviews, though it is faulted by some for a HAM based media interface. Pioneer AVICD3 GPS System comes in a close second in consumer reviews and though the manufacturer recommended retail is also in $1000 range, several internet sources offer it at a price (before installation) that is nearer the range of portable GPS models.  Both of these models include DVD, Bluetooth GPS, CD and music features.

$600-700 is a very popular price point for better portable GPS units. Portables moved out in front early with a better selection in price and features and still maintain some of the lead as well as a greater variety in offerings. Some of the sophisticated features that you may now choose range from live traffic updates, local fuel prices, satellite weather map overlays and voice control to non-navigation features like music, Bluetooth and DVD features. Portable car GPS features can be very confusing when shopping more than one or two models. 

Before buying, try out any model you are considering. Also ask for the specifications spread sheet or find it on the Internet and compare the models you are considering from these lists to make sure you end up with a model that has the features you picked out. Needs and budget will narrow the choices. In the portable GPS options several models of Garmin Nuvi, particularly the 660 and Garmin Street Pilot, then Tom Tom One and TomTom Go models are currently well recommended by users. Lowrance  iWAY 250C and Magellen Maestro 4000 are also well reviewed.  There is a lot of personal preference in which of these models is best or most intuitive to the user, so do an in store test drive with a few to see where your own personal preferences lie.

Handheld GPS Systems for Geocachers and Hikers

Some Handheld GPS units are better suited for use outdoors in the forest (or the city) than others. Hills and tree cover block signals as do hills with buildings. Some arrangements (like an external antenna) help to compensate for this better than others. Having adequate waypoint and track storage and useful "goto" features for off road navigation, electronic compass, altimeter and sufficient battery life are among important features to outdoor purposes, as is having lightweight, water proof construction. Note that a barometric altimeter will be more accurate, but will only improve accuracy if it is used according to the manual instructions which require time. An electronic compass will give you direction while standing still, rather than just a heading while moving, but it will use battery life needlessly if it is turned on when not in use.

eTrex Vista and eTrex Legend models are popular for the low cost and simplicity.  The menus are designed to be user friendly and more intuitive.  Many agree that there are better menu system.  For those who can spend a little more the versatile Garmin GPS Map 60CX or the Garmin Colorado 400t GPS device with topographic maps are very popular for outdoor use.  Most current GPS handheld models are equipped with WAAS. This US based system improves accuracy, particularly on water or open land, but signals may be blocked near mountains, forests or buildings and there currently is no benefit to having it outside the US.

Marine GPS (Fishfinder GPS) Navigation

There are many quality options available for marine uses.  Most of the GPS listed under roadway navigation also carry data for marine areas near shorelines.  For more serious uses, there are marine specific models.  Again, desirable features will vary with personal preferences from user to user and the spread sheets and in store "test drive" will help to isolate the right model.  One brand to look into is Lowrance.  The family business was born through an interest in sonar based fish and depth detection.  I have known several people who were quite happy with this brand for a variety of purposes.  PADI Regional Director Jon Coon recommends the Humminbird NVB Combo GPS series for the ease of use in navigation and the quality of the split screen view with side sonar. He says that this GPS unit makes finding a wreck easy.  GPSMap 76CSx is a popular handheld with marine navigation and tide data and this model also proves useful for land navigation.  The "S" stands for sensor, meaning that it has the electronic compass and barometric altimeter.  These features reduce battery life and some prefer GPSMap 76Cx which does not have these sensors.  The "C" stands for color screen.

Aviation GPS Units

Aviation GPS come in panel, portable and remote units. GPS portables for pilots are greatly improved in recent years. Lower cost models like the GPSmap96 include features like obstacle data bases. The Jeppeson aviation charts, taxi runways, enhanced terrain and FAA weather overlays of the now not-so-new GPSMAP 496 are a long awaited, though pricey dream that earned the title of best GPS in Gear of the Year from Aviation consumer.  This series has lower cost, lower feature models moving down through the GPSMAP196.

Highly Specialized or Multi-Purpose GPS?

There are highly specialized models, for example Garmin's Edge GPS series designed as a training tool for cyclists or the Forerunner 205 GPS designed for runners.  The more specialized the model, the less useful it is for other applications. Moving in the other direction are multipurpose units. Garmin I-Que is a pda GPS system.  It is one among many examples of multipurpose devices. With a multipurpose device the trick is to make sure that the features most important to you are the ones that work well, rather than the ones that are merely included.

Multipurpose gps navigation systems can be looked at in another way though.  It can mean general purpose and for all the use based advice here, good general purpose devices do exist. Garmin GPS Map 60CX is an example that is also listed under the geocacher and hiker section. It has some of the features that are popular in earlier models, though it is easier to hold in the hand, the reception is highly sensitive and the color screen is a good size.

Which GPS Navigation System is for you?

That's a personality based question. In the end, there are two ways to go about choosing the best GPS. One is to be hands on, learn extensive details about the features and decide on your own after doing a lot of research. Techies choose this route. However, if you are not that serious about the details, or if your eyes glaze over when talk goes tech, it is fairly safe to simply buy within a category that is intended for your purpose, tell a knowledgeable customer service representative what you plan to do and let them guide you (or use the models I mentioned).

There are plenty of user friendly GPS devices made just for you. Try it out to see if you like the way it feels and think that it makes sense. Corporate web sites for GPS and stores like REI carry data sheets that allow GPS comparison between features in spreadsheet format to help prevent confusion between models. Between the spreadsheet and a little explanation from a competent customer service representative it is not necessary to understand everything completely on a technical level to get the best match or find something highly usable.  In general, the more specialized the intended purpose, the less versatile the device.  After isolating the model you want, then shop for price, both in person and on the internet, and buy from a reputable dealer. And, definitely read GPS reviews!