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7 Sep 2009

Auto GPS Units - Don't Be The Next Uninformed Buyer

By Michael D. Torc

Buying GPS can be intimidating especially if you do it for the first time. It doesn't have to be, however. Because you can spend from $150 to $900 on a GPS, using 'price' as a starting point is a wise thing to do.

Possibly the most important money saving tip is for you to understand the marketplace before you buy.

Many buyers base their choices on what their friends have or on a few reviews they read online and end up buying a model that does not meet their navigation needs. As with everywhere else, knowledge is power in the world of automotive GPS also.

It helps to have a basic idea of what you want your GPS to do.

All auto GPS units show you where you are and telling how to get to destinations. They also have touch screens, a database of pre-programmed destinations (called Points of Interest, or POI's), and pre-loaded maps, usually of at least the lower 48 United States. You can get the extra maps, saying the street names, and the real-time weather conditions and traffic alerts (with subscription) for only about $200! The Garmin nuvi 350 can do this just fine.

Some popular features are more extensive maps, actually pronouncing street names instead of just "Turn Here!", real-time traffic bulletins, and Bluetooth capability to name only a few .

You can get all of this for $200! If you want Bluetooth, then you can get this and the wider screen for around $400. Multiple point routing will cost you an extra $50 to $100.

One other example of a good mid-priced GPS is the Magellan Maestro 4250. It can do everything I've mentioned and it has the wider, 4.3-inch monitor. (Normal screen sizes are 3.5-inches. These are all measured on the diagonal, just like a television.)

Yet another auto GPS unit you need to be thinking about is the Tom Tom GO 920T. At around $400, the GO 920T can do everything mentioned thus far, and also it has a few features that only Tom Tom offers--such as their Map Share technology. Map Share lets users actually input information into Tom Tom's map database that reflects current road conditions.

The Garmin Nuvi 200 is one of the least expensive auto GPS units you can buy. I would recommend this as a good entry level GPS system, it's simple enough that a friend of mine bought it as a birthday present for his mother in law who is a complete and utter technophobe.

While we're mentioning extra add-ons, let me make sure you know about Magellan's deal with AAA. If you're a AAA subscriber, you can gain access to their well-known Tour Book right on your GPS device. I love AAA. So, for me this would certainly be a good selling feature.

As you can see, there are auto GPS units to fit all budgets and needs.

What you need now is an informative website where you can browse and check current prices. That way you'll really know what you're buying when you decide to spend your hard earned cash!

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