Exclusive GPS Buyer's Guide - How to turn your PDA, Phone , Smartphone, laptop, BlackBerry into a savvy navigator.

Overview:
Navigational devices are affordable, but the choices are confusing. We at buyGPSnow.com would like to take this opportunity to help you explore the options available. If your mobile device already have GPS built-in, you can just add GPS navigation software, otherwise, you can add a GPS receiver and GPS navigation software.

After reading this article, you should have a clear idea of what choices are available to you and narrow down to one that best fit your needs.



GPS 101
GPS receiver is an electronic instrument that pinpoints your current location on a map. So, in a nutshell, a GPS solution consists of (1) GPS Receiver, (2) GPS mapping software and (3) a device capable of showing your GPS position on a GPS map.

Using GPS does not incur a monthly fee unlike your cell phone voice calling plans because GPS signal is free. Yes, it's free! So, as long as you have the 3 components listed above.



Different types of GPS Receivers:

• Bluetooth GPS - most popular and it communicates with your mobile device wirelessly. To use them, your must have a Bluetooth-enabled device. Benefits: It has its own power source (from rechargeable battery built-in), and it will not drain the battery on your device, hence improving operation time of your mobile device.
  
  
• CompactFlash (CF) or Secure Ditigal (SD) GPS - They slip into the card slot of your device. However, most new devices support microSD slot ONLY, so be sure to double check your device specifications before purchasing one. This type of receiver consumes power from your device and will drain the battery faster. You also want to be sure you have dual slots on your device; One for GPS receiver and one for storing map data or you will need to purchase those two-in-one GPS receivers which have an integrated storage card slot such as the HAiCOM SD-505SD, Globalsat SD-502, or Spectec SDG-812
  
  
• USB GPS - Suitable for use with laptops / tablet PCs via USB port and running Windows 98/XP/Vista. If your laptop/table PC have Bluetooth capability, you may also want to consider a Bluetooth GPS receiver instead. Example of USB GPS are NAVIBE GM 720, Globalsat BU-353, and Holux GR-213.
  
  
• Travel Recorder (aka Data Logger): You will be able to record your path where you been to and show it on Google earth to share with your friends. Hence, the "When, Where, What" is included in a geotagged photo.
  
  
• PDA / Phone with built-in GPS - Such as from AiRIS, E-TEN, HP, HTC (Kaiser, Titan 2, AT&T Tilt). With these phones, all you needed is a GPS software to turn them into a savvy navigator. Some solutions may require a memory card to store maps. Please see below for more info on: Phone / PDA Street Navigation Software: Free vs. Full Blown
  
  
• Personal Navigation Device (PND) - Any PND unit that buyGPSnow carries comes with pre-loaded maps of USA, Canada, and some also comes with Western European maps. They all provide you both visual and verbal turn-by-turn instructions. When picking a PND unit, here are the top 3 questions you would need to asked yourself and the answer depends on your personal preferrences and lifestyles:
  
  1. Price
     
     
  2. TTS (Text-To-Speech): All PND units we carry provides voice prompts such as "Turn right in 500 feets" or "Take the next exit". TTS capable PND will actually speak out the name of the street plus the turn instruction such as "Turn right onto West Broadway in 500 feets" or "Take Exit 5b onto Interstate 10 West". This helps many, especially to minimize the needs to glance at the screen, instead focus on the roads ahead.
     
     
  3. Live Traffic: Only available on some high ends units which will notify you on real-time traffic and would offer alternative routes. Usually, traffic capable devices are shipped with a limited trial period. After the trial period, there will be a subscription cost to keep the live traffic feature.
     
     
  4. Bluetooth-enabled: Allows you to make handsfree calls which lets you use your PND as a handsfree car kit via Bluetooth technology (only compatible with phones that is Bluetooth-enabled and support Bluetooth Headset profile).

Still uncertain which model is for you?
Check out the buyGPSnow Discussion Forums, or Knowledge Base or consult one of our dedicated customer service reps by opening a support ticket.



Phone / PDA Street Navigation Software: Free vs. Full Blown

Definations of:
-> Free GPS Nav Software: Google Maps for Mobile, Microsoft Live Search, etc.

-> Full Blown GPS Software: OnCourse Navigator, Destinator, iGuidance, TomTom Navigator, CoPilot, etc.

	Free	Full Blown
Typical cost	Free	One time only fee, from $89 and up
Requires data plan in order to plan route
Automatic map updates
Navigation guidance with automatic reroute
Text Directions
Voice Directions
Automatic POI database updates
Automatic day/night view		(most supports this feature)
Supports custom POI - ability to add new POI of your own		(such as OnCourse Navigator 6)
POI Alerts
Support For Multiple Stops / Journeys (VIA) (Route Planning)		(such as OnCourse Navigator 6, Destinator, CoPilot)
3D Moving Maps
Smart Power Saving - temporary overwrite the PDA/phone settings to keep the device always on when navigation program		(such as OnCourse Navigator 6)

---

Please feel free to Ask a Question or Discuss this article in our forums here

---

V1.00: Oct 28th, 2007
All content of the buyGPSnow Web Sites are: Copyright (c) buyGPSnow and/or its suppliers. All rights reserved.
TRADEMARKS. buyGPSnow, The buyGPSnow logo and/or other buyGPSnow products and services referenced herein may also be either trademarks or registered trademarks of buyGPSnow in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.