GPS makes navigation of all sorts easier. With a GPS device and an unobstructed view of the sky, you'll never be lost again. There are a large assortment of GPS units for sale, and getting the right one for your needs will guarantee that you get the most from your GPS unit. A unit that does not meet your needs tends to stay at home and not get used. This article will help you determine the best type of GPS for you so that you'll get years of employment from your GPS.

Step 1: Picking the correct type of device

Before you get a GPS, you need to understand the different types of GPS units available and how each will meet your needs. The major types of GPS devices are: vehicle, handheld, and PDA attachments. The type of GPS device you get will vary dependent upon your requirements, and the features you should look for will vary based on the type of unit you are buying.

Vehicle GPS devices are a great benefit if you make trips to lots of different areas with which you are not familiar, or you drive for a living. Vehicle GPS devices often come with features that make using them in a car much easier: features such as automatic route finding which tell you where and when to make turns so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road. Some vehicle GPS units even come with technology that alerts them to real-time traffic-reports and they can re-map your route based on the existing traffic. If you plan to use your GPS chiefly in your car, you should think about a system designed specifically for this type of usage as these devices usually have larger, easier-to-read, screens than handheld devices.

Handheld GPS systems are the most versatile sort of GPS units available. They can be used when walking, camping, driving, really any place you can go. But, this versatility normally results in a unit that has fewer advanced features. Since the system needs to be portable, the screen size is commonly limited and this can make many features of a GPS (such as map visuals, route marking, breadcrumb trails, etc) more difficult to use than a device that is fixed in a vehicle or that makes use of a larger screen on a PDA or computer. If you intend on using your GPS primarily for driving, the small screen may make it more difficult to use. If you intend on using your GPS when hiking, camping, or fishing, this is most likely the best sort of GPS for you.

GPS devices that connect directly to a laptop or PDA often depend on the PDA or computer for all of the GPS functionality except for the gathering of the positioning data from the GPS satellites. Since a significant amount of the functionality is moved to the PDA or laptop, the GPS device itself is usually much cheaper than a free-standing GPS device. However, if you intend to use your GPS for hiking, backpacking, camping, or in a marine environment, bringing your PDA or laptop may make the use of your GPS device somewhat inconvenient. Because of this, GPS units that connect to another device are more commonly used in vehicles and for folks who navigate by foot in cities. If you are looking for the cheapest type of GPS device around and you already have a GPS-compatible computer or PDA, this may be the best option for you.

Step 2: Selecting GPS Features

Based on the type of GPS device your are looking for, here are some features that you should consider.

Accuracy -- As a general rule, GPS systems are accurate to within 50 feet. If accuracy is important to you , look for a system with WAAS (wide area augmentation system) since this doubles the accuracy of a GPS device. This feature tends to be most useful in handheld units.

Address Finding -- Some GPS devices let you to enter a specific street address. This is very useful when driving and is a feature most often used in vehicle GPS devices or units used in vehicles.

Automatic Route Finding -- This is often used in tandem with address finding. This feature sets up the GPS to tell you precisely where to turn to get to a programmed address. This is an incredibly useful feature for vehicle units, or units used in vehicles, since it allows you to use the system without having to try and read the GPS while you are driving.

Built-in Maps -- Lots of GPS devices will come with maps that are built-in; for example, all of North America. If plan to buying a unit with a built-in map, make sure you get a GPS for the right area, especially if you are purchasing on-line. In addition, make sure that the map can be updated. If you plan on having your GPS for several years, you can count on roads changing during that time.

Compass -- It seems counter-intuitive, but there are GPS units that do not have a compass unless you are moving above some minimum speed (often faster than a hiking speed). But there are also GPS units that provide true compass functionality even when you are not moving. This feature tends to be most useful on handheld GPS units.

Computer Compatibility -- If you are looking for a GPS system that gets updated maps via a computer (which is most of them), and you are using a non-Windows computer (like a Mac or a Linux machine) be sure that the GPS system is compatible with the type of computer you have. Every GPS unit that connects to a computer will support a Windows machine. But support for other operating system varies.

Downloadable Maps -- Most GPS units allow maps to be downloaded into them. This is very nice for users who travel to a wide variety of locations. It also makes it easier to purchase a GPS with less memory since you can easily swap out the map to fit the area you will be in.

Expandable Memory -- If you are using your GPS unit with maps, you'll want to be certain that you have sufficient memory to hold the number of maps you will be using. As it is with computers, the same is true with GPS systems: the more memory the better. Another option is expandable/swappable memory so that you can be sure you will never run out of space.

Extended Battery Life -- If you are looking for a handheld or PDA attached GPS unit, look closely at the battery life as this can often be the limiting factor in using your GPS.

External Antennas -- Some GPS systems provide for an external antenna to be attached. This can be helpful in vehicle systems where the satellite signal may be degraded by the system being in a car. It can also be helpful in handheld systems as it allows you to keep the unit in your backpack but still be operating for things like breadcrumbs.

Traffic Alerts -- Some GPS systems have the capability to download real-time traffic information. If you reside in an urban area, this can be an incredibly helpful feature even if you know the area you are in. This feature tends to be available in vehicle systems and in computer/PDA attached devices.

Water-Resistant/Proof -- If you are considering a handheld GPS unit and you intend to go fishing, backpacking, hiking, boating, or doing anything outdoors with your GPS system, think about getting a device that is resistant to water. Also, be aware of the difference between water-resistant and waterproof. Water-resistant indicates that the unit can be exposed to small amounts of water but it typically can't be submerged. If there is a probability your GPS will be completely submerged, you should consider a waterproof GPS, not a water-resistant one.