GPS Buyer's Guide

• Explore the Benefits of GPS
• Determine Which GPS Device You Need
• Find the Right GPS Features
• Accessorize Your GPS Device
• Find GPS Devices from Product Category
• Buy GPS Devices With Confidence
• Links to Some Interesting GPS Buyer's Guide

Explore the Benefits of GPS

GPS devices from companies such as Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, Lowrance, and Globalsat etc. work anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day, in any weather condition. Once you buy a GPS device, you only need an unobstructed view of the sky to use it; you don't even need to subscribe to a service.

A GPS device receives data from a network of satellites in geosynchronous orbit around the Earth and uses the information to calculate your precise position. By locking into three satellites, GPS can tell you your latitude and longitude. With a fourth satellite in view, GPS calculates latitude, longitude, and altitude.

Use GPS anywhere you need accurate data to help you navigate.

• GPS at work: Rescue crews, firefighters, archeologists, geologists, surveyors, mappers, boat captains, pilots, dispatchers, tour guides, and military personnel use GPS devices to perform their jobs.
• GPS at play: Take your GPS device hiking, camping, mountain climbing, biking, snowmobiling, skiing, hunting, boating, fishing, touring, and flying so that you can find your way on land, at sea, or in flight.
• GPS on the road: Recycle all the maps in your glove box and put a GPS device in your car. A GPS device equipped with mapping software gives you street-level directions, which can prevent you from getting lost in a bustling city. It can also select an optimum route from point to point and help you make informed choices about where to stop along the way.
• GPS for personal/vehicle tracking: A GPS tracking device can not only tell the device holder's position but also allow its position be recorded or transmitted via a wireless communication network. With a GPS data logger, you can easily record a trip history and then answer the question like "where has my vehicle or asset been?". With a GPS tracker placed in your remote vehicles or assets, you can easily answer the question "where is my loved one or valuable asset now?".

Determine Which GPS Device You Need

GPS devices fall into six major categories:

• Tracking GPS: Tracking GPS is categorized into Passive Tracking GPS and Real Time Tracking GPS. Passive Tracking uses a GPS data logger to record vehicle's trip history and then download the data to your PC for map view. It is useful for personal fun, covert investigation and business fleet management etc.. Real-Time Tracking utilizes cellular wireless networks or satellite communication networks or local RF wireless modems to receive location messages from a GPS Tracker placed in your remote vehicles or assets in virtual "real-time". Through tracking software, the locations are displayed on digital maps. A powerful tool that answers the question: where is my loved one or valuable asset now?
• Navigation GPS: With Navigation GPS, your holiday, vacation or business travels are much easier than ever. Most popular Automotive GPS devices built expressly for car use often include built-in maps or allow you to download mapping data. Many provide voice directions so you can keep your eyes on the road, and also include touch screens, and mounting options. Similarly, Motocycle GPS has the same features, but is built expressly for motocycle use.
• Handheld GPS: Take your handheld GPS device everywhere.  Handheld GPS units fit nicely in your pocket, backpack, or mount easily onto your dashboard. It is perfect for hikers and bikers looking for a lightweight GPS device they can see at a glance.
• Recreational GPS: Take your Recreational GPS device everywhere you have fun. Some are specially designed for athletic, for cycling, for running, for golfing and so on. Some, such as the Garmin Forerunner, also come in a wristwatch-like design, perfect for hikers, bikers, runners and others to track their performance.
• Marine GPS: Marine GPS devices designed for use aboard marine vessels and watercrafts boast a rugged waterproof design and may also float. They often include onshore and offshore maps, chart-plotting functions, and a screen that's clearly visible in sunlight. Some even have the ability to predict tides or locate fish.
• GPS Receivers: GPS Receivers have been widely used in many applications based on Laptop, Pocket PC, Smart Phone etc. From OEM GPS Modules for GPS product development to well packaged Bluetooth GPS, SD & CF GPS and Wired USB GPS for Laptop, Pocket PC, SmartPhone etc., they are all listed in this category.

Find the Right GPS Features

GPS devices have a variety of features and options.

• Accuracy: Most GPS devices will pinpoint your location within 15 meters (about 49.21 feet). If you need greater accuracy, look for differential GPS (DGPS) or WAAS enabled GPS, which calculates your location within 1 to 3 meters.
• Interface options: GPS devices come in a variety of screen sizes and may be monochrome or color. Expect larger color screens to cost a bit more than devices with a monochrome screen. Color screens provide more detail, but use more battery power. When you look at item listings, evaluate the image and make sure the screen looks like it works for you. When shopping for an automotive GPS device, look for touch-screen navigation, audible voice prompts for driving directions, and a trip computer. They will help you keep your eyes on the road, and the trip computer will let you know how much further you need to go when driving from point A to point B.
• Maps: Most GPS devices include built-in software such as North America (U.S. and canada) street maps. You can also buy additional software, such as European maps.
• Data storage: Many GPS devices come with built-in maps, but you can store even more if your device supports removable Secure Digital or CompactFlash memory cards. Mapping data doesn't take up a lot of space and many units even come with a 128MB card.
• Combination GPS units: Standalone GPS devices work great for most people, but some personal digital assistants (PDAs) and two-way radios come with the functionality built in. If you need a PDA or two-way radio, consider one of these hybrids.
• Weather resistance: Like all electronics, you'll want to keep your GPS device out of the water and try not to drop it. Look for a GPS device with a rugged design and weather-resistant features if you plan to use it outdoors

Accessorize Your GPS Device

Get the most out of your GPS device with these add-ons:

• GPS software: Download GPS software for detailed maps, topographic data, and points of interest to your GPS device.
• GPS holders: Stabilize your handheld GPS device on your dashboard or laptop with GPS holders
• GPS antennas: GPS antennas amplify your GPS signal and make it more effective. Re-radiator antenna kits can bring the GPS signal from outside of your building or car to inside. Read item listings for details about device compatibility and email us if you have any questions.
• GPS chargers & cables: Equip yourself with GPS Accessories such as chargers and cables to keep your device powered.
• Bluetooth: Short-range wireless networking helps your Bluetooth GPS device communicate with your Bluetooth-enabled computer, PDA, or cell phone from up to 30 feet away.
• Memory cards: Expand the capacity of your GPS device with an extra memory card.
• Adapters: A cigarette lighter adapter provides a convenient source of power on the road. 

Find GPS Devices from Product Category

Once you know what type of GPS device you want, go to the product category and start searching for items you want.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Garmin GPS, Magellan GPS, Lowrance GPS, TomTom GPS Tracking GPS, Navigation GPS, Handheld GPS, Recreational GPS, Marine GPS, OEM GPS Receivers, GPS Antennas, PDA & Accessories and Software & Maps. As you dig deeper into the site, you'll also be able to narrow down your choice by brand.
• Keyword Search: Search store item listings for specific key feature words. For example, if you want to find a GPS device with a color screen, type "color screen" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search" to expand your results. If you are looking for a specific model, product ID or name, manufacturer etc., simply type the model name into the Search box.
• Shopping by Manufacturer: Select the manufacturer's name from the pull down list on the left side to list all products made by this manufacturer.
• Find Specials or New Products: Click on the link Specials, you will find all specials or promotional items currently available. New Products link will list all new products that were added to the store recently.

If you can't find exactly what you want, please email us at sales@mobilegpsonline.com.

Buy GPS Devices With Confidence

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Links to Some Interesting GPS Buyer's Guide

• A GPS Buyer's Guide from GPS TrackLog
• GPS Buyer's Guide at GPS Magazine
• GPS Navigation Buyers Guide