Car GPS From Garmin

Here are a few things to think about before buying a new car GPS.

1. Maps.
Be sure the device you want has the maps and details you need and will use. Not only do you want the right country, but you want the right information on those maps. Hikers want topographical maps while many drivers want detailed city maps. Those going out on the water want marine maps and so forth. If you travel outside of the country, you can often purhcase and upload appropriate maps for your destination. Points of interest are those items which might be potential destinations on your trip. For instance, hospitals, gas stations, banks, restaurants, hotels, and so forth. The more points of interest, the more useful the device is in locating things.

2. The Screen.
Check out the brightness, readability of the graphics, and so forth. An anti-glare screen is good too so that you can still read the screen in sunlight. Screen size is also critical. A bigger screen allows you to view a larger area.

3. Voice Directions.
Some of the most affordable devices may offer maps only; with no spoken directions. Voice directions are very handy when driving so that you can keep your eyes on the road. Some voice directions don't use street names, making them a bit less useful. For instance, a device that uses street names would say something like "turn left on Jackson Blvd" versus "turn left in 500 yards".

4. Multi-Destination Routing.
A car GPS device can plan the best route for you. However, we often have multiple places we may want to go. For instance, while visiting a distant city, you may want to buy gas, get a bite to eat, and then go see a particular museum. A device with muli-destination routing assure your whole itinerary is routed as efficiently as possible.

5. Traffic Updates.
If you want up-to-the minute traffic updates to avoid tie ups then you often have to subscribe to a service for this. There are a handful of devices that have the service included in the purchase price. Otherwise, you will just need to be sure that the device has a built in transmitter so that you can receive the service if you want it.

6. Audio.
If you want voice directions, it's best to be sure that the directions will play through you car stereo system for the best sound.

7. Other convenience functions.
Some car GPS devices also include functions such as an MP3 player, photo viewer, world time clock, calculator, currency converter, and so forth. Some will also provide information on roadway speed limits and so forth. Some are Bluetooth capable which allows you to make hands-free calls when paired with a bluetooth capable cell phone.

8. Portability.
If you're thinking you'll also want to use your GPS device while on foot or for a bit of hiking, then obviously a smaller, lighter device would be preferred. Most are pocket sized but one that also has a screen lock feature would be advisable. These will turn the screen off after a short period of time in case the device is accidentally turned on. Having topographical maps is also important for outdoor use.