GPS: Finding the right one
GPS’s are one of those devices that you are prone to overlook until you need one, and then you cannot imagine finding your destination any other way. Choices really come down to one of three options. You can either rely on a dedicated unit, such as those produced by TomTom and Garmin, amongst other manufacturers, or you can use assisted GPS and the GPS features that are incorporated into certain cell phones.
A third option exists for those fortunate enough to purchase a luxury car, some of which are fitted with built-in GPS units.
For the fashion conscious, TomTom’s latest Pearl GPS device may appeal. Geared primarily towards women, emphasis has been placed on the styling of the small device. Pre-installed categories included in the South African maps on the device range from shops, restaurants, bars, cafes and coffee shops to cinemas and theatres. This highlights the device as being aimed at drivers interested in urban exploration.
Alternatively, the Go 630 is another option for those less concerned with style. It features a 4.3 inch widescreen, Bluetooth, Map Share, along with pre-installed door-to-door maps of Southern Africa and a database of safety cameras on South African roads.
Amid the range of units focused on street navigation such as the Nuvi range, Garmin offers units focused on overland exploration. One such device is the Oregon 550, which has a number of new features. First of these is an onboard 3.2 Megapixel camera for geotagging. Geotagged photographs of locations can be updated to Picasa from a PC. Other features of the touch screen navigation unit include a 3-axis tilt-compensated compass, which allows the unit to report an accurate direction when the unit is not held in a level position. A built-in digital elevation model base map, that supports terrain shading and route elevation profiles, is aimed at helping hikers assess terrain difficulty.
Alternatively, if the thought of carrying around a separate device doesn’t appeal, the GPS feature of certain cell phones is another option. One of the main differences between dedicated and cell phone GPS is invariably the size of the screen and the user interface.
Another important differences between dedicated and converged GPS’s is the provision of voice guidance and maps. On Nokia devices that support GPS, for example, one can download maps of every country in the world at no additional cost if one so chooses. However, voice guidance is provided under a subscription, which one needs to renew either on a monthly or annual basis if continued voice guidance is desired.
Most dedicated devices are shipped with region specific maps, and while voice guidance is built in as a permanent feature, additional maps for other regions are at an extra cost.
Ultimately the option which is best for you depends on how you intend using a GPS. Dedicated units lend themselves to more extensive and consistent navigation, while cell phone GPS may be sufficient for casual users.
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