How GPS Systems Can Get You There

I’ve always wondered how accurate auto navigation systems like GPS really are. They’ve always seemed a little extravagant to me, and the thought of driving around with a computerized voice telling me how to get somewhere seemed a little too futuristic to be true. But that changed when I was on vacation recently and had the opportunity to use a rental car equipped with one of the new auto navigation systems.

I was in Florida where it can be impossible to find your way around, especially in the packed tourist cities like Orlando. We were staying on Disney property so my brother could attend a conference, so my days were free to explore the area. Being by myself, I didn’t want to get lost, so I figured it would be as good a time as any to do some research on auto navigation systems. I rented an Explorer with a GPS unit installed in the dash, and I immediately began to test it. I wanted to see if it could accurately lead me back to my hotel and to other short destinations that I already had the directions for.

Another feature to keep in mind when comparing handheld GPS is the precision of the directions they offer. Roads change all the time, new roads are built, and construction is a huge issue. You want a system that will keep up with changes on a regular basis, and can do so with little work on your part. Updates may come regularly, or you may have to request one before you start your trip. You can find car navigation systems online, and at specialty stores. Shop around for the best price and ask a lot of questions before you buy. Find out if there is a monthly or yearly fee for service, and what extras a particular model may offer you. Find out if the directions are easy to access, if the model offers voice directions, or if you have to read the screen. If the screen is too bright, or if it is affected by sunlight, you aren’t going to find it easy to use in most cases.

Now, practically every car on the road may be equipped with a GPS, but this does not really mean that you ought to join the bandwagon yourself. If you don’t want to spend the money on handheld GPS just yet, you can get the same service through your cell phone. There are services that will send directions through your cell phone, but this will still cost you some money. This might be the way to go if you don’t travel a lot, and only need driving directions a few times a year.

Mark Green tries to divide time between two hobbies: gadget reviews and communication studies. Handheld GPS are a wave of technology that is definitely here to stay, and which keep getting more and more sophisticated and more widespread. Get to know more about your favorite handheld GPS.

- Mark Green