There is an increasing number of GPS tracking systems on the market. Not all offer the same range of services though. These vary quite a lot depending on your needs.
Here is a simple review of various GPS tracking systems available on the market.
1. Car GPS - these are probably the best-known type of devices. The biggest names on the market are currently Garmin, Tomtom, Magellan and Mio, which together hold more than 80% of the market share of car GPS devices. Car GPS's normally come with preloaded maps for a specific country or area. Most new models also offer free map updates.
2. Hiking GPS - Designed for hiking, these focus more on geographic features rather than roads (unlike car GPS models).
3. GPS's for bikers are also in great demand. These are typically very resistant models and many come in weather-proof casings.
4. Boating GPS's are specialized models which vary in complexity depending on the needs. They also come with services like weather updates and other sea-specific information.
5. There are many more specialized GPS models designed with the needs of specific professions and activities in mind. For instance, there's been a lot of publicity recently around tracking systems as a way to have a permanent feeds for fleet tracking.
Here are 3 simple questions that anyone shopping for GPS's should ask themselves:
Question 1: What are your needs?
Of course, when it comes to shopping for GPS's, your choice will greatly depend on your needs. If you only need a model to fit in your car, then any commercial model should be okay. And you're spoiled for choice as far as car GPS models are concerned.
If however your needs are more specific, such as boating, hiking etc, then you should make sure to compare the different features available before making your choice.
Is the GPS covering the area you intend visiting, do you have access to features like weather services and map updates?
Question 2: What features do you expect?
Of all features, I feel that the presence of a map update facility is by far the most important. Not all GPS makers offer free map updates. Some require you to subscribe, at a monthly fee, to their service, before letting you download their stuff.
Others, like Tomtom, let you download a free update if it comes available 6 months after your purchase a new Tomtom GPS.
You also get a few GPS map providers that let you download maps free of charge.
Most of the recent models come with a host of features: slide show viewers, MP3 players, traffic update services, camera traps warning, weather update, digital radio. The list is almost endless. There's even a model that comes with digital TV (in case you fancy watching TV while driving).
They say it's called convergence: all your gadgets basically have more or less the same nifty features on them: your mobile phone can take digital pictures and play music, while your digital music player is a GPS tracker and can play slideshows.
But to me this is a classic case of too much of a good thing. If I need to play some music, chance are I will use my iPod. And if I need to take pictures, I'd rather use my digital camera rather than my mobile phone. And I won't be making phone calls with my iPod!
But do you really need all those features on your GPS? Well I guess it all depends on your age and how tech-savvy you are. If you are rather techno-phobic and the sight of buttons is enough to send shivers down your spine, I suggest you go for simple models with just one or two buttons (the Mio C520 is a great try).
Question 3: How much are you ready to spend?
Depending on the complexity of the model, a GPS should cost you from about $50 to a few hundred dollars. If you are after a GPS that does just what it should be doing (i.e. taking you from A to B in the simplest way), then I suggest you go for a simple and easy to use model.
It's important, when it comes to GPS tracking systems, to know your needs and the requirements of the task.
By Amene Katanda
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