GPS Car Navigation Buying Guide

GPS aroses revolution in car driving. Today, drivers don't need to settle behind the wheel of their car having no idea about how to reach their destination. GPS (Global Positioning System) car navigation systems can clearly show the exact way to get to their wanted place, and quite a few of the systems even could tell you by sound.

This advanced gadget differs in types, sizes and functions. And the same GPS would have different prices in different retail/wholesale car electronics stores. So with so many factors to consider, how could you choose a suited GPS for your car? Here offers a good guidance for your purchase.

The Basics

1. Invention

According to Wikipedia, GPS (Global Positioning System) was created by the United States Department of Defense for the purpose of location confirmation. Nowadays, it is widely used by people on the earth for their navigation requirements.

2. Components

A common GPS car navigation system often includes the following components:

GPS Receiver/ Global Positioning System - Satellite signals pick-up for position determination

Screen - Routes and maps display

Computer Processor - Routes, times and distances calculation

Map Database - Plenty of typical places info such as petrol stations, schools, and hospitals

Loudspeaker - Verbal instructions

GPS Holder - Car console or dashboard attachment

GPS Antennas - GPS signals amplification

Buying Guidance

Use Frequency - If you often use it, buy high quality, brand car GPS, because they are more user-friendly; if not, buy an inexpensive one, as they are usually smaller and lighter.

Car Layout - The gadget is always equipped on the dashboard or a pedestal extending from the dashboard. If you unluckily choose an unsuitable one, it might cause air venting problems, discomfort to exit/enter your car or sit or some other questions.

Vocal + Graphical - You are not only could see clearly, but also listen explicitly.

Point of Interest Data & its Update - It offers ease for you to locate specific place, like banks, schools, airports and hotels.

Installation Time - Systems are more complicated and take longer to install if they are depend on maps displayed on monitors than others which don't rely.

Price Comparison - The same product might differ in prices in different wholesale electronics stores/retail stores. Never buy a product that you firstly see in a store.

Trial Use - If you buy offline, you could try to use the GPS you want to buy. Many sellers have prepared sample Car GPS for you to see, touch and experience.

Simple Maintenance

Mount it out of direct sunlight. The dashboard might become riskily hot for GPS even on cool days - that probably cause damage to the GPS memory.

Keep your gadget away from impact, heat, dust and humidity.

Clean. Wiping it with a clean cloth is OK. For GPS having openings like card slot, you'd better clean it with canned air instead of cloth and your humid breath.

Be careful about the moving parts. They are more likely to be damaged comparing to other parts.

Don't drop your GPS unit too frequently. Accidentally dropping once or twice might cause no damage for normal use. But no electronics can endure frequent dropping.