GPS Comparison
GPS Comparison, Handheld Gps Systems, Magellan Maestro, Mio Digiwalker & The Garmin 600 or 700 Series
Anyone who is planning to purchase a GPS device wants to know what the best model is, but this can be tricky. Since every model gets the same free signal from the satellites, manufacturers tend to offer all kinds of different features and software on GPS systems to remain competitive. This leaves consumers with many different options they either don’t want or don’t quite understand. Even from the same company, GPS systems can start at a few hundred dollars and go all the way up to several thousand. This is an incredible price difference, and you have to wonder if all the features on more expensive models work, or if you will even use them. This is why a GPS comparison is helpful when buying a new device.
The first place to start is the price of the unit and how much you are willing to spend. Doing this eliminates quite a few of the models. If you want to spend about four hundred dollars, you are probably looking at budget models like the nuvi 200 from Garmin, the TomTom One, the Mio Digiwalker H610, or the Magellan Maestro 3100. If you look at all of the reviews of these models, you will find that they are all about the same price, all receive the same signal, and mainly have the same features, including a smaller 3.5” screen. The only difference seems to be personal preferences, like how the buttons are arranged and how the device can be programmed.
The next price tier for the basic personal navigators offer larger screens, options like hands-free calling, turn-by-turn voice directions, fm transmitters, optional traffic reports, and MP3 players. Spending more money means thinking about how much the device is going to be used. Is it just for the occasional weekend getaway, or are you on the road everyday trying to find locations for business meetings? If the unit is for recreational use, it is probably better to get a less expensive model. If the unit is going to be used daily, something from the Garmin 600 or 700 series or the Magellan 4250 would be more suitable. These models are a little bit pricier at around $600 to $1,000. However, there are even more expensive personal navigators available for the really serious driver like the Garmin StreetPilot 7500 that is priced at about $1,400. This is really the deluxe version when it comes to GPS navigation on the road. It has an amazing 7” color touch screen and comes with an endless supply of maps, optional traffic reports, weather, radio features, and dead reckoning navigational capabilities that don’t require a GPS signal to navigate if you lose the signal in tunnels or around tall buildings. Price is definitely the main factor when it comes to making a GPS comparison, but there are other things to consider as well.
The most important item that a lot of people don’t consider when purchasing a GPS unit is how the unit will be powered when it is in use. Handheld GPS models get the lowest ratings in this category. This is because they are used outside where there aren’t always chargers available. The first information to look for when comparing handhelds is the life of the batteries. If the batteries only last for four hours, there really isn’t any use for the device if you are planning an eight hour hike. Even if the batteries last eight hours, you will still have to recharge them or replace them when your GPS signal starts dropping off. Personal navigational GPS devices do little better in this category because they are mainly used in the car where they run off of its power. They also last for about four hours if you decide to use them away from the car. So, when you think about it, no matter what GPS device you decide to buy, the main things to think about are the price, what you will use it for, and how long the power will last.
Posted in General GPS Information
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