Buyer's guide - GPS navigators

A GPS for holidays and hobbies

Tired of those awkward paper maps that get torn easily and never seem to fold back the way they’re supposed to? Step up to the GPS - the ultimate way to get around, stress-free! Novices discovering modern technology will be amazed at just how easy some models are to use. Whether you choose an entry-level GPS or a mid-range model, make sure you get one with fast, easy-to-use software. This allows you to plan your journey before you set off and therefore drive safely. It will tell you in advance when there’s an exit coming up – and when there’s a speed camera or a traffic jam around the corner. A number of GPS navigators include voice recognition technology, which makes it even easier to enter addresses. Some voice technology even allows you to flip through your device’s menus -- so you don't have to lift a finger. For example, say “menu”, then “itinerary”, and the GPS will take you to the right section: it couldn't be easier or safer! Make sure you check which maps are supplied with the GPS. Some of you may intend to explore Europe, while others may be planning to go as far as America and Asia. Modern GPS navigators incorporate loads of handy tools, such as step-by-step itinerary calculation. You can also choose the most picturesque or quickest itinerary or find a circuit that avoids motorways. These features and more make travelling a much more laid-back experience! Is your GPS having trouble receiving satellite signals? Is it slow to refresh information? Or does it tell you to take an exit a few feet after you've passed it? Don’t throw it out just yet! Your GPS will take longer than usual to acquire a fix when you first use it. As a rule, it will take your GPS just a few seconds to locate satellites. If the problem persists, the problem could be related to the chip or GPS signal coverage. To avoid this type of problem, opt for a GPS with a highly sensitive antenna, which will allow you to receive GPS signals even through an impervious windscreen (most recent cars have this kind of windscreen). SiRF Instant Fix II chips minimise the amount of time it takes your GPS to acquire a fix. These chips store your position in their memory as soon as you’ve stopped moving. With an incredibly quick start-up time, they also pick up satellite signals almost immediately, even in an underground car park. Motorbike GPS units provide all the essential navigation features you need and are built to withstand life on the road with their robust bodies. If you’re looking for one of these GPS navigators, go for a model that’s waterproof, and when possible, shockproof. A large, splash-proof touch screen would also be handy, as it means you can still use the GPS easily in all kinds of weather conditions. Some GPS navigators include a special mode to make it easier to use the device with precision, even when you're wearing biking gloves. You should also check if the GPS is compatible with Bluetooth. This is especially useful if you want to make phone calls, or give and receive voice instructions directly through your helmet. Another big advantage of motorbike GPS navigators is that they can also be used in the car.

A GPS for life

If you're on the road every day, then you’ll know that your GPS needs to be powerful, sturdy and reliable if you want to get the most out of it every day. If you don't want to waste time sitting in traffic, get yourself a TMC receiver. This will keep you informed of the state of traffic (jams, roadworks and accidents) through radio waves. Some GPS navigators allow you to make changes to your map and add new road layouts, one-way streets, roadworks and more - so you won’t get caught out twice. What’s more, you can even choose to receive changes made by other users of this service by downloading them from the internet. To help you drive more safely, most GPS navigators show you the location of where speed cameras in your area. Be sure to update your GPS on a regular basis to avoid being taken by surprise! Because they're as versatile as other high-tech devices, most GPS play MP3 files and receive radio stations, so you don't need a car radio to keep yourself entertained on those long journeys! What’s more, you’ll be able to display photos on GPS navigators equipped with a memory card reader (memory card readers for SD cards are the most common). With screen sizes getting bigger (the biggest screen size currently available is 4.3 inches in 16:9 format), GPS navigators are becoming fully-fledged multimedia devices. But remember to keep your eyes on the road! A good GPS always has a sturdy mount that doesn't vibrate, allowing you to view information comfortably as you drive. However, mounts can make GPS navigators harder to manipulate and therefore more difficult to use. You can use your GPS for longer than five hours! In-car chargers are a handy accessory if you want your GPS navigator’s battery to last all day. Cases play an important part in protecting your GPS and in improving its life span, especially if you regularly need to take the navigator off its mount to tidy it away in your vehicle’s glove compartment, where it could get damaged by scratches or dust.

A GPS for going off the beaten path

A GPS for hiking and sailing will help you to stay on course – whether you're on land or water! Maps and compasses are fast becoming relics of the past, GPS navigators are resolutely in the present. They ensure you get to your final destination and are ideal for exploring the great outdoors. They’ll never let you down, as they come with impressive battery times, ranging from 12 to 15 hours on average, and highly sensitive antennas for receiving GPS signals in all conditions. In addition, most of these GPS navigators are waterproof, which means you can use them even when it’s pouring outside. Even if hiking isn’t your thing, the walking mode will always come in useful in urban areas, especially if you can’t find a parking space in front of the place you’re going. GPS navigators for hiking can often be used for sailing, too. They come with a greater battery life and usually have a waterproof exterior, which protects them against bad weather. GPS navigators for sailing are designed to be upgradeable. You can bring your GPS up to date by adding more detailed maps. Your GPS will provide you with information about tides, currents and even the services available at each port.

Essential accessories

Cases and mounts

If you use your glove compartment to empty your pockets, don’t store your GPS in it until you’ve equipped it with a suitable protective cover, such as a case or a screen protector. Other than making sure you get the most use out of your GPS, cases and screen protectors make viewing maps more comfortable by keeping your screen as good as new. Designed to enable users cope with the unpredictable nature of life on the road, mounts make GPS navigators more comfortable to use. Most GPS navigators come with a mount as standard. A second mount can prove useful for moving your GPS from one vehicle to another, or even to your bike! See all GPS accessories

Mains power supplies and connectors

Mains power supplies are often discarded in favour of cigar-lighter chargers, but they are in fact essential accessories for all in-car GPS systems. It’s always useful to have a mains power supply with several adapters, especially if you're a globetrotter. What's more, adapters are rarely provided with hiking and sailing GPS navigators, and they're certainly useful to have around. Multimedia lovers will want to finish their GPS off with loads of accessories. In addition to the USB cable often provided with these products, docking stations allow you to connect your navigation device to your computer and update maps and speed camera lists, all while recharging your GPS unit’s battery. If you can’t live without your MP3 player, rest assured! There are loads of cables to connect it to your GPS!

Limitless travel

If you’re intending to go abroad, you'll need to upgrade the maps stored on your GPS. You can get to your ideal holiday destination by adding more maps to your navigator using a memory card or a DVD. There are loads of memory cards and DVDs available, and there are just as many brands, capacities and countries to choose from. From Europe and Asia through to America, you can venture across all the continents without ever getting lost or missing the sights – a selection of points of interest will tell you where to go! You can add an external antenna to your GPS to ensure it captures a signal wherever you go, even if it's not on the other side of the world. These days, GPS chips are more sensitive, but antennas are more efficient in reducing the “canyon” effect in urban areas where streets cut through dense blocks of buildings. What’s more, antennas give you live traffic information using TMC, so you won’t ever get stuck in traffic again!

PNDs: small yet powerful navigation systems

Manufacturers often misuse the term GPS to mean Personal Navigation Device. Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs) are portable electronic products that combine a positioning system with navigation functions. These are made up of three main elements: a GPS, software and a set of maps. PNDs work by collecting information sent by at least 4 out of 27 tracking satellites, over a distance of just 5 metres. The term GPS actually refers to the chip that receives tracking satellite signals. At the heart of this chip is a processor, which works by measuring the distance between the PND and the satellites to determine your location. Execution speeds and accuracy vary in relation to the sensitivity of the chip. However, most chips have similar specifications.

Smart software

Acquisition times and itinerary accuracy varies according to the GPS. Itinerary accuracy is determined by the type of software you’re using, while acquisition time is determined by the power of your device. Most GPS navigators have a predefined list of points of interest (or POI), which usually includes the location of the next service station and all the best-rated restaurants. You can use this all over the world to ensure you don't miss out on seeing the finest places! POI can also be used as visual markers, allowing you to easily pinpoint the turning to take to make your way towards the next bar or museum. Just like maps, POI are displayed in 3D to give you a better idea of what you should be looking for. The quality of navigation software is judged by its ability to provide accurate directions and by its capacity to adapt to surroundings. Good navigation software will show when you’re veering off course and will recalculate your itinerary almost instantly. The speed at which the itinerary is recalculated depends on the responsiveness of the processor. Some GPS units automatically create a return itinerary, and others even go so far as saving your very own points of interest so you can visit them again at a later date!