There are now hundreds of different GPS systems on the market, each with their own pros and cons. To choose the one that's right for you, you have to consider how much you want to spend, what functions are most important to you, whether you want a single-mode or multi-modal system, and the kind of device on which you'll carry your GPS navigation system. Picking the system that suits your lifestyle is the key.
Decide how important a GPS system is to you, and set your budget accordingly.
Decide whether you want a system that works only in your vehicle, or one you can take with you everywhere. Generally, vehicle systems have more functionality than systems on a phone or personal digital assistant, but their maps apply only to driving.
Look for a system that offers a large points-of-interest database, and the ability to easily add your own points of interest.
Look for a system that gives a number of options on how to enter locations, including street address, ZIP code, or landmark.
Look for a system that offers a head-up display, if your budget stretches to it. This will mean you can keep your eyes on the road more, with less distraction. Similarly, always choose a system that gives instructions by voice as well as visually on a map, as it is often safer to hear instructions while driving than to look at them.
Choose a system that is WAAS-enabled, if you need pinpoint accuracy and your budget allows it. WAAS is the Wide Area Augmentation System, a free network of stations that enhances the accuracy of your GPS to meter-level. You should not need to do anything extra to take advantage of WAAS if your system comes WAAS-enabled.
Look for a system that is multi-constellation ready, if accuracy is important to you. Some systems now allow you to make use not only of GPS signals, but also of the Russian GLONASS signals. More signals means better accuracy, but that also can equal higher cost.
Choose a system with regular mapping updates, because any GPS system is only as good as its mapping. Regular mapping takes time and can be expensive for companies to do. So either choose a name you've heard of and trust, or do online research into different mapping providers.
Choose a system that is well-supported, and "future-proof" for an acceptable length of time. The last thing you want is to buy a system this week, only to find the company stops providing updates for it next week. All systems on display in a retail store should be acceptably future-proof, though this is not necessarily the case if you buy online.
Make sure you are happy with the ease of installation, use and updating. You can find plenty of sites online where real customers share real reviews of products, and these can give you some idea of pitfalls that others have found. You can also ask for demonstrations of any particular system in a store.
Comparison-shop to make sure you get the best possible deal. Once you have selected the system you think is right for you, or once you've narrowed it down to two or three contenders, compare prices online to see whether in-store sticker prices are the best you can do.
