Review our buying guide to compare car, handheld or maritime GPS navigators. This guide identifies the standard features you can expect plus available options.

What routing options should you look for?

Do you pay extra for traffic alerts, hands free calling, text to speech capability or an MP3 player?

What are the basic features you should expect of any car or handheld GPS navigator?

Check out the standard features and then some of the optional features below.

Standard Features

Screen

A clear, wide display with glare free touchscreen. For portable devices, at least 3.5 inches for car GPS navigation. For GPS integrated into phones or PDAs a readable screen size of at least 2.5 inches.

For night time or low light conditions, the screen should offer a back lit option.

Map Display

Maps should be displayed as 2D or 3D and be easy to follow. Ideally the display should show more information, such as distance to next turn and current street name. The voice instructions should be clear and sufficiently loud to hear despite background noise. Get a demo in store or borrow a friend's car GPS as this comes down to personal preference.

Routing

Check what options you can select for calculating the route between destinations. This may include walking, toll free, no unsealed roads, no highways, fastest, shortist, multiple stops.

Map Quality

There are two underlying map data suppliers in Australia. The GPS device provider should also provide points of interest such as petrol stations, hospitals and airports.

Map Updates

Updates for your maps should be easily sourced with simple PC connectivity for updates.

Portability

A portable car GPS should be simple to mount and dismount, as you will need to take it with you rather than attract attention of your local car thief.

User interface

The quality of the user interface of a GPS device can vary greatly. Check the basics such as being able to program a home address, how easy it is to plot your destination and how you can personalise the device.

Battery life and recharging

Compare battery life, at least three hours for a portable. The GPS should be able to be charged in the car.

Then check out the nice to have features.

Spend more money or pick the right brand and you can step up a level in features for your GPS navigator.

Make Phone calls and access mobile data services

Bluetooth connectivity can allow you to use a Bluetooth compatible phone for hands free calling and/or for data services. Prior to purchase check the list of compatible devices to ensure that it can be used for voice services and specifically your handset.

Traffic lights and Alerts

Some GPS navigators can warn you of approaching traffic lights or alert you to other points of interest.

Text to Speech capability

It is simply much more pleasant driving to listen to specific street names, rather than "take the next right/left in 100 metres" over and over and over again.

Picture or Video viewing

Entertain your passengers with a picture or video show. Not very practical on a small screen portable car GPS with limited processing power.

MP3 Player

Play audio however once again not very practical on the speakers of a portable car GPS. The inclusion of FM Transmitter allows the use of the car radio speakers.

Live Traffic Data

Real time road traffic data for GPS navigation devices is now available from Suna Traffic Channel (http://www.sunatraffic.com.au/consumer/index.html). The initial launch has limited coverage (Melbourne) and approved car GPS navigators (Mio). The Suna Traffic Channel website has coverage maps for Sydney and Brisbane.

Suna Traffic Channel provides the GPS navigation device information on traffic incidents including location, cause and likely impact.

Voice Recognition

Some GPS navigators enable voice recognition, enabling hands free interaction with the device.

Fun Bits

Like the idea of John Cleese driving you around the next bend? Prefer to record your impersonation of Tom Cruise to send your wife crazy? Some GPS brands offer you additional voiceovers or the option of recording your own.

Special Requirements

For specialist applications of GPS such as maritime, GPS Navigators feature additional features such as water resistance, fish finders, depth sounding and coast line charts.