Which is the best GPS unit?

Right off the bat, let me dispel a common misconception:  there are NO subscriptions or monthly fees associated with using a GPS.  After you buy a GPS, you can use it all you want and you don't have to pay another dime to use it.  However, some GPS units offer such options as a Traffic receiver and Bluetooth.  The traffic option does require a yearly subscription.  The Bluetooth option has no fees.  Bluetooth allows you to pair your Bluetooth compatible cell phone with your GPS, enabling you to call and answer phone calls hands free thru the GPS.

For a Comparison of some of our most popular GPS units, go here: Best GPS Units

Automotive GPS Units

GPS-Planet.com carries all of the most popular GPS navigational systems and GPS software at very competitive prices.   First question: Do you need a GPS?   Well, if you're looking for a solution to those travels into unfamiliar cities and country roads, a car GPS is great.  Fumbling for a map isn't fun, is it?   Have you had "disagreements" while trying to navigate to your final destination?  It can ruin an otherwise enjoyable experience.  With a car GPS guiding you turn by turn with voice prompts and visual maps, the days of making wrong turns, getting lost and wasting time (and gas!) will finally come to an end.  With GPS navigation, you and your family can enjoy traveling. Or, make a business trip less stressful.   It really does make a difference.

But a GPS receiver isn't just for vacations and business trips....it's just as useful around town.  My wife enters the addresses to all her favorite hometown destinations, i.e, the girl scout leader's home, friends across town, restaurants, parks, businesses, and the list goes on.  Plus, where ever she is, it's comforting to know she can always find her way back home without stopping along side the road to look at a map.

Fortunately, most car GPS units already have detailed road maps preloaded on the unit, so you don't have to worry about it (check the unit's specifications).   Compare features, including the size of the GPS screen, whether you need Bluetooth or traffic notification features, and what the unit looks like.   And don't forget to take a look at some of the Best GPS units in our online chart.   If you're a commercial truck driver or drive a big RV, you would be really smart to look at the CoPilot GPS systems we're now offering.  Specifically, the CoPilot Truck GPS and the CoPilot RV GPS.

At the moment, my first choices would include the outstanding Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, Garmin 76CSx, Garmin Etrex Vista HCX, and Garmin Rino 530HCX.  These units have about as many bells and whistles as anyone could hope for.  Accurate and easy-to-read color screens, several modes and plenty of built-in memory, a basemap of the U.S., good battery life, waterproof, etc. (any Garmin handheld with an "X" on it's name means it will accept SD memory cards for unlimited expansion) and the Rino handhelds have a built-in two-way GMRS radio!   If you want detailed road maps or topographic detail, you'll need to download it from optional software. For Garmin handhelds, the Mapsource Topo software (detailed ground elevations and topographic detail) or the Mapsource City Navigator software (detailed road maps).

Again, you might want to take a look at our Best GPS page.

Other than choosing a GPS with the features you need, the very first thing you should decide is how much you're willing to spend - it might not cost that much, but until you know your dollar limit, you really can't make a good choice.  So first decide, "I'm willing to spend up to $xx.xx" - and then start comparing features.  I know it seems a little confusing at first, but don't stress over it too much.....buying a new GPS is a lot of fun.

Think about what you really plan to do with your new GPS:

a) If you're considering a handheld unit, what will you use it for?   Only for finding your way back to where you started?  Primarily for hiking and backpacking?  Geocaching?  How rugged does it need to be?
b) Do you primarily want a mobile GPS for the car with turn by turn voice prompts?  Is it for your boat too?  Make sure it's waterproof.
c) Do you need detailed road maps or topographic maps or will the sparse default base map be sufficient?  (Some units come with the software, and some offer it as an option.) Most handheld GPS units only come with base maps, whereas, most car GPS units come preloaded with detailed road maps.
c) Is a color screen important to you?  Once you've used color you'll never go back to black and white.  Honest.
e) Does it need to be Waterproof?  Most handhelds are waterproof, but some of the car GPS units are not.  Might want to get a GPS unit specifically made for marine use.
f) Is long battery Life important to you?  Check the handheld's specifications.
g) External antenna capability?  (for poor reception areas like deep woods, or city buildings).
h) Are you "computer challenged" and prefer doing it the easiest way (unit with preloaded maps)?   Or would you be ok with using compact flash cards for loading specific geographic regions?  More memory means you can download more detailed maps into the unit. But for hiking or geocaching, it may not be necessary.
i) Do you have to keep the price under a specific amount?