Road Map to Buying a GPS Receiver
Pam Gaulin, Associated Content Writer
In everyday life it may be more noble to give than to receive, but when you need a GPS receiver, it's all about the reception. There are plenty of recognizable
GPS receiver brand names, although you may know them simply as GPS, including
Garmin,
Magellan and
TomTom. GPS receivers are a useful and handy way to put the whole world (or at least a whole country) in your hands. Whether you use a weatherproof
hiking GPS from eCost.com or rely on an automotive Garmin GPS receiver from Beach Camera for everyday driving and business trips, you won't want to leave home without a handheld or portable GPS receiver.
GPS navigation systems offer an array of features, and shopping for one is akin to shopping for a cell phone. The major feature you need to consider on a
portable GPS system is the size of the screen. Where you place a Magellan GPS, or a Nextar GPS, for example, and how much space you have for the GPS receiver will help you decide if you can use a 3.5-inch display, or if you need a larger 4.3-inch or a full 5-inch display. As with a phone, the larger the screen, the more battery power is needed to power it.
Expect to find basic features on most GPS receivers, including a built-in antenna, a widescreen, touch screen, basic maps and a mount for the windshield dashboard. Upgrade to a GPS receiver with free limited traffic, including the Garmin Nuvi 265T.
Text-to-speech is another safe driving feature found on a Garmin Nuvi or Magellan Roadmate. Frequent and adventurous travelers should look for a GPS receiver with a large points of interest (POI) database.
Consider an older model, or a
refurbished receiver, if you want more features for less money.