If you are thinking about buying a GPS navigator then you will be interested in the wide range of GPS units available on the market.

Review this guide to consider the pros and cons of buying a GPS.

What is GPS?

GPS or Global Positioning System is a satellite navigation system developed by the United States Department of Defense. The GPS system incorporates 24 satellites that orbit the earth and transmit signals to GPS receivers on the ground. A GPS receiver uses signals from multiple satellites to determine its location, speed, direction and time.

GPS receivers have been used for defense, maritime and many industrial applications. Consumers are benefiting from cheaper GPS receivers for navigation. Lower cost GPS devices have become available integrated into mobile phones, as lower cost hand held units and as portable or integrated in-car systems.

Three top reasons for buying a GPS navigator!

 Convenience

The number one reason for buying a GPS navigator is the ease and convenience of being directed to a nominated location. High end GPS navigators from leading brands such as Navman provide you the additional convenience of mileage and expenses tracking that can be used for tax reporting.

Safety

GPS manufacturers such as TomTom report research that drivers using a navigation system feel more in control, less distracted and less stressed. Nearly all GPS navigators offer help, for example TomTom GPS navigators offer a "Help Me" menu, with access to "Phone for Help", "Drive to Help", "Walk to Help", "Where am I" and "First Aid Guides".

Handheld GPS units have been recommended for bushwalkers for years. A GPS enabled mobile phone can add an additional safety net for the occasional weekend bush walker.

Sanity

Perhaps you are quietly considering a car navigator simply to avoid arguments with a map challenged spouse. Take a wrong turn and the GPS navigator simply recalculates and continues on.

Limitations of a GPS Navigator

Line of sight GPS satellite signals

GPS devices rely on "line of sight" signals from multiple satellites to enable them to calculate location, direction and speed. So your car or handheld sat nav can lose your position while traveling through the CBD of cities such as Sydney or Melbourne.

Maps

Satellite navigation requires a GPS device plus local maps. How useful or effective your GPS navigator is in getting you from point A to point B is a function of:
-    the quality of the maps (up to date information, points of interest),
-    the algorithms used to calculate trip directions and
-    the options provided (fastest distance, no tolls, shortest distance).
Your GPS navigator is not going to know short cuts, traffic conditions or traffic lights.

Stupid Drivers

Putting a GPS navigator in your car doesn't mean you take your brain out! The evening news has featured drivers who followed GPS directions without question, causing traffic mayhem or with more tragic outcomes. Traffic signs change often yet your GPS maps are updated occasionally, so you still have to respect the one-way road sign despite the Angelina Jolie like voice saying "take the next turn right".

Local knowledge

Your GPS will not be able to replicate local knowledge, take into account seasonal information or short-term traffic problems. There are plenty of stories on ‘grey nomad' websites recounting GPS car navigator hiccups crossing outback Australia. Often it is simply the routing algorithm choosing a "highway" over a local road, unfortunately in some cases adding 500 km to your trip. While GPS navigators are very convenient, a quick look at the atlas and listening to existing conditions on local radio is still sensible!

Types of GPS - handheld, car and maritime

Handheld GPS

Personal handheld GPS devices have been highly recommended for bushwalkers and intrepid travelers for years. GPS receivers are now integrated into a number of mobile phones / PDAs and are easily available. It is not practical (and probably illegal in your state) to use handheld GPS devices while driving a car.

Car GPS

In car GPS navigators are either integrated into the dash or portable devices temporarily secured in the car. Integrated GPS devices have the advantages of bigger screens and better integration with the other electronic devices in the vehicle.  Portable devices have the advantage of being able to be swopped between multiple cars and offering the ability to program, customize or update the car GPS from the comfort of your house rather than out in the car.

Maritime GPS

These are GPS devices dedicated for use on boats and other maritime transportation. Often they are integrated with other electronic devices such as depth sounders.

Where do GPS Navigation maps come from?

The two key mapping providers in Australia are Telstra owned Whereis  and global provider, Navteq.

While the latest version of maps should be supplied upon initial purchase, you will be required to pay for updates.

Compare the basic features for GPS Navigation

Screen

A clear, wide display with back lit and 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.

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

Maritime - water resistance, fish finders, depth sounding, coast line charts

Don't buy a GPS Navigator?

Handheld and portable in-car GPS navigation units are becoming the latest ‘must have' high tech purchase. Before you search out the best deal on a TomTom, Navman or Mio, would it be better to wait until you next upgrade your mobile phone handset or purchase a new car? Integrated GPS navigation for your phone or car is quickly becoming a standard option.

In the meantime, you are not limited to just a paper directory for navigating your next trip. A number of websites including Google offer you Australian trip planners with directions and maps. With a little research before leaving, you can take customized directions and maps for your journey.

Check out the following sites:

www.whereis.com.au

www.racq.com.au

www.racv.com.au

http://www.nrma.com.au/