How to buy a GPS
With TomTom, Garmin, Eagle, Lowrence and Magellan to choose from (among others), buying a GPS can be a confusing task. Understanding the functions of the device will help you decide on which one to buy.
Audible directions or turn-by-turn
While most GPS devices will dictate directions to the driver,
Text-to-Speech directions are more detailed. A Turn-by-Turn device will
inform the driver to “turn right in 500 metres” while the
Text-to-Speech will inform the driver to “turn right in 500 metres into
Main Street”. Text-to-Speech is more expensive, but preferable if
you’re planning on using the device every day.
Points of interest
Points of interest (POI) GPS
devices not only dictate directions but can indicate the nearest point
of interest, such as a petrol station or shopping centre. If you’re a
frequent traveller, and travel for recreation, POI is a great feature.
Traffic routing
A traffic routing GPS indicates
where there is traffic congestion. This is usually a feature you
subscribe to and most GPS devices are programmed to enable such a
feature. Often the subscription fee is a once-off amount.
Routing engine software
The routing engine
software is the program that enables your GPS to plot the route from
point A to B. Good software will not only pinpoint the shortest route
to your destination, but also enable different routes should an
obstruction occur.
Transmission
GPS devices can come with
Bluetooth technology or FM transmitters. Bluetooth is needed to connect
you GPS device to your phone while an FM transmitter connects to your
radio allowing you to play your own music through the radio.
Screen size
The size of the screen ranges from
3.5 inches to 4.5 inches. If you have a Text-to-Speech function you can
opt for a smaller screen as the audio will indicate the name of the
street. A Text-to-Text audio option doesn’t often indicate the name of
the street, so you might need to look at the screen more often.
A range of GPS devices, including Magellan, TomTom and Garmin, are available from WantItAll.
