Thinking of a new GPS? Choosing the right one for you can be a daunting task. With so many great makes, models, and features to choose from, how do you know which one to buy?
When choosing a GPS, the most important question to ask yourself is “What do I want to do with it?” Any automotive GPS unit will tell you where you are and where to go, without getting lost. As RV’ers, we all have a set of basic needs that our GPS must meet. Beyond that, it’s entirely up to you if you want it and are willing to pay the extra money for certain features.
preloaded maps
The first factor to consider is which maps you need to preload on your GPS. That, of course, depends on where you plan to travel to. Many systems come with road maps for the entire United States and Canada loaded into their main memory. Some come with all of North America and others with Europe as well. This gives you the luxury of going anywhere without worrying about whether or not you loaded the right maps; it also makes the device ready to use, right out of the box. The preloaded maps occupy part of the main memory of the GPS; any excess main memory can be used for additional maps, MP3 music, or custom POIs. This brings us to the capacity of memory.
memory capacity
The amount of memory your GPS can hold is also very important. If you buy a drive that has very little additional main memory and is not expandable; you may not be able to add features or points of interest (POI) when you want. Many GPS models only contain enough main memory to store their preloaded maps, with very little to spare. This is only a problem if they don’t have a memory expansion slot. A memory expansion slot lets you add memory to the GPS if you ever need it. Most use a Secure Digital (SD) card to expand memory. SD cards are inexpensive and a great way to add memory to your drive when you need it. More expensive drives often have a considerable amount of their main memory free for use and also have a memory expansion slot. Less expensive drives generally use most or all of their main memory for onboard functions, but most still have a memory expansion slot.
text to speech
Another important feature to look for is “text to speech”. Most GPS units with voice directions will give an audio notification such as “Turn left in 300 feet” or “Take the next exit.” A unit with a text-to-speech feature will say not only the address but also the name of the street: “Turn left onto Mulberry Lane in 300 feet” or “Take Exit 23A.” This is a boon for many people, especially RV riders, as they won’t even have to look at the screen to know where to go.
live traffic service
A great new feature to consider is the live traffic service. Available in larger cities, a subscription to a traffic service gives you up-to-the-minute, real-time updates on traffic and road conditions. Is the expressway blocked from exit 23 to exit 29? Your GPS will notify you and offer you an alternative route. After a free trial period, the traffic service usually costs around $7 per month. Some Garmin units also offer XM radio services, so you can get not only live traffic, but also XM satellite radio.
Even beyond a typical traffic service is the new enhanced MSN Direct service. Many of Garmin’s higher-end drives, like the Nuvi 780, come with this capability. With MSN Direct, you can check the weather, avoid traffic jams, compare local gas prices, get enhanced movie listings, stock information, local news and events when you travel with your unit. Even plan trips from the comfort of your computer, through Windows Live Local, then send locations wirelessly to your GPS. Like a traffic service, MSN Direct is charged monthly after the free trial period.
bluetooth enabled
One of the latest additions to GPS systems is the integration of a Bluetooth chip. If both your cell phone and GPS unit are Bluetooth-enabled, you’ll be able to pair them for hands-free calling, POI functions and more, making your car electronics suite fully integrated. Many campground POI lists, such as CoolRVToyz Ultimate RV Parks & Campgrounds Directory, take advantage of this feature on Garmin GPS units and allow you to mark a campsite hands-free by simply touching your GPS screen.
MP3 enabled
Another new addition to GPS systems is the ability to play MP3 music. By uploading your favorite MP3 music or audiobook to your GPS, you can play it through the GPS speakers or your in-dash radio. Many of the best GPS units also come with an FM transmitter to link directly to your in-dash radio so the music comes out of your vehicle’s stereo system. This is particularly useful as the GPS will automatically lower the music volume to give you directions or if you receive a phone call.
Travel Guides and Tour Guide(TM)
One of the most exciting new features is Garmin’s new TourGuide(TM) feature. With TourGuide(TM) you can hire fully guided tours for your GPS. Launch TourGuide(TM) and simply follow the tour. Your GPS will guide you to points of interest, explain them to you and even show you photos. It’s like having your own tour guide during the trip.
Conclution
Popular GPS navigation systems for RV’ers include Garmin nuvi 200, 360 and 680, Lowrance iWAY 600C, Garmin StreetPilot c550, Magellan Maestro 4040 and CrossOver GPS, and TomTom ONE 3rd Edition. So which GPS is the “best”? That completely depends on your needs, your preferences and your budget.
