| When was the last time that you sat down and | | | | beyond, the handheld version may go even |
| compared products before you bought them? I | | | | further to offer maps of hiking trails, valleys, |
| mean really compared them. When did you look | | | | rivers, lakes, parks, and more. See why we say |
| at the pros and cons of multiple products, including | | | | before buying, compare GPS systems? By |
| prices, long-term benefits, features, and overall | | | | knowing the difference in something this subtle, |
| reliability? Many times we get used to following | | | | you can actually come closer to getting what you |
| the crowd when purchasing products, especially | | | | want in a device. |
| electronic gadgets. We go with what is most | | | | Products on the Market |
| popular on the market; the one about which the | | | | Now it's time to put our motto, before buying, |
| salesperson says "Everyone is getting this." Yet | | | | compare GPS systems, to use. Below is a short |
| we don't spend a lot of time determining which | | | | list of units on the market that fall under the |
| features are best for our personal preferences. | | | | portable and handheld categories. By comparing |
| When purchasing a product, especially a navigation | | | | their features, hopefully you'll be able to figure out |
| system, you want to make sure you get what | | | | what you're looking for in a navigation product. |
| you need. So for this article, we will remember | | | | Garmin Nuvi 660 - This portable navigation |
| this motto: Before buying, compare GPS systems, | | | | system tops most lists as a great unit to |
| so that you undoubtedly find the best unit for | | | | purchase. It costs around $650 and offers tons of |
| you. | | | | features, including 2D and 3D preloaded maps of |
| Which to Use for Comparing | | | | the United States, turn-by-turn voice navigation, |
| So you're at the point where you're ready to get | | | | Bluetooth capabilities, MP3 player, FM transmitter, |
| out there and beginning comparing devices. But | | | | and photo viewing options. |
| before we get into which products they are, let's | | | | TomTom One - Falling into a much lower price |
| look at the difference between the two types of | | | | range ($200), the TomTom One is a portable |
| navigation devices highlighted in this article: portable | | | | device with fewer features, but it still offers a |
| and handheld. | | | | reliable experience. Its primary features include a |
| Portable vs. Handheld | | | | user-friendly touchscreen, clear color maps, and |
| Remember our motto? Before buying, compare | | | | turn-by-turn voice navigation. If you're looking for |
| GPS systems. So before we go into which units | | | | the extras then you'll want to direct you're |
| have better reputations, let's look at the | | | | attention back to the Nuvi 660. |
| difference between the portable and handheld | | | | Garmin eTrex Camo - This handheld unit is great |
| device. | | | | for those who love hunting and fishing. It offers a |
| Portable - A portable navigation system is typically | | | | trip computer that indicates distance and speed of |
| categorized as one that you can carry in your | | | | on-foot travel, sunrise and sunset times, |
| hand. However, they are also typically categorized | | | | retraceable path functions, Autolocate, and the |
| as those that sit in your automobile while driving. | | | | ability to store up to 500 waypoints. |
| They are usually mounted to the dashboard so | | | | Magellan SportTrack - This handheld unit is also |
| that you can easily view your directions. And are | | | | good for hunting and fishing. You can get good |
| usually not carried around outdoors - however, | | | | use out of it if you are a hiker, boater, or biker. It |
| they can be. The reason that they have adopted | | | | offers nine large graphic navigation displays, and |
| the name portable over the years is because | | | | can determine your coordinates within 3 meters. |
| their counterpart, the in-dash system, is one that | | | | In general, it is a little more versatile than the |
| cannot be moved out of your car once installed. | | | | Camo - something you definitely should keep in |
| The portable system can be moved from car to | | | | mind when deciding whether to buy. See why we |
| car, making it mobile, therefore it is considered | | | | say, before buying, compare GPS systems? |
| portable. | | | | So now that you've done some leg work in your |
| Handheld - The handheld device can often be | | | | system search, how do you feel? There are |
| confused with a portable one, in that it is, well, | | | | definite benefits to the motto: Before Buying, |
| portable. However, the units placed in this | | | | Compare GPS Systems. So before you purchase |
| category are actually used outdoors, and usually | | | | your first (or next) unit, keep on searching. And |
| come with more durable casing. Where the | | | | always remember, before buying, compare GPS |
| portable system offers preloaded highway and | | | | systems. |
| street maps of the United States and sometimes | | | | |