How to choose a GPS? It depends on what you need and how much you are willing to spend.

Handheld, Portable or in-Dash GPS

A handheld GPS is good for hiking, Running-GPS-n_17.html">running, and other sports. It is a very samll device, looks like a cell phone, or a watch. You can put it in your porket.

A portable GPS is larger than a handheld GPS. It usually has 3-inch or so wide monitor that permits touchscreen control. These units commonly come with suction cup mounting so that the unit can be secured to the dash or to the windshield of the car. A portable GPS would be more feasible than an in-dash GPS if you want to use it in two cars.

A fixed GPS systems designed to be installed in the dash of a vehicle. It offers a monitor that may be 7-inches wide, an extensive database of points of interest sites that may be as much as 10 million or more. These systems offer a choice of how to plot your route. It offers directions in voice and graphics on a map. The map can be set up to be viewed in a number of different angles.

Non-Mapping GPS and Mapping GPS

Non-Mapping GPS is also named "Basic GPS". A basic non-mapping GPS usally does not include pre-loaded maps and cannot have maps installed into them. And it generally does not include additional memory. No-mapping GPS is a good tool if you only need it to record Latitude, Longitude, and waypoints on the track.

Mapping GPS provides several more features over most basic non-mapping GPS. A mapping GPS Usually contains pre-loaded points of interest maps or a detailed basemap. With a mapping GPS unit, More detailed maps can be uploaded into the unit including topographic and highly detailed street maps. You also can add additional memory to the GPS unit.

Buy a GPS Unit and a GPS Map from the Same Manufacturer

Today there is still no uniform map standards between different GPS manufacturers. So when you buy a GPS unit, just remember to buy a GPS map from the same company. Otherwise, they map not be compatible.

Select a GPS by Brand Name, Quality and Price

You need to figure out how much you are willing to spend for a system. Generally, a GPS has a better quality and more features won't be cheap. Usslly, a fixed GPS is more expensive than a portable GPS, and a portable GPS is more expensive than a handheld GPS. Depending on how often you intend to use the system. Inexpensive systems could be simple and small, but they're not as user-friendly.

While Garmin still is the most popular GPS manufacturer, other brand names such as TomTom, Lowrance and Magellan also make quality GPS units.