By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=John_V._W._Howe]John V. W. HoweMaking the decision to buy Garmin GPS can be complicated unless you know how to simplify the process. The first decision to make is the type of GPS and in this article, we will narrow the GPS type and search for a portable automotive GPS.
There are many features in a Garmin automotive GPS, but many of these are minor and should not absorb much of your attention. Select the major features and narrow your decision based on those major features.
Usually, the first decision to make to buy Garmin GPS is how much money can I spend? Garmin GPS run from a little over one hundred dollars to a little over four hundred dollars. Set your maximum price limit and start looking to buy a Garmin GPS within your price range.
Let's discuss the major features to consider in a Garmin automotive GPS.
The most important feature is whether or not the GPS speaks the name of the streets on which you must turn. If it does not, you must take your eyes off the road to read the street names on the display which is extremely dangerous. Pay the extra for a GPS that speaks street names.
Consider the size of the display. Garmin makes its automotive GPS in two sizes, 3.5 inches diagonal dimension and the wide screen model is 4.3 inches. Consider paying for the wider screen for ease of reading the display.
Do want to be able to use the GPS for hands free calling on your cell phone? If so, consider a GPS with Bluetooth® wireless technology. This feature will bump your price up significantly.
Do you live in or near a large city? If so, you might want your GPS to receive traffic information or connect with MSN® Direct? Verify if these services are offered where you live and think hard about these options. They will add to your purchase price.
Do you want to be able to hear your GPS through your car stereo? The FM transmitter feature lets you do this. Often, a GPS with this feature is also an MP3 player so you can hear the MP3 output in the sound quality of the car stereo.
The final decision when you buy Garmin GPS is whether or not you want the GPS to have voice recognition so you tell the GPS what to do verbally and you do not have to take your eyes off the road to manually enter commands or addresses. This improves your safety in using a Garmin GPS. This feature is only found in the most expensive Garmin models.
Once you make these major decisions, the minor decisions to consider such as lane assist, lane assist with junction view, battery life, included maps will fall in place.
For more assistance in buying your GPS, consult the resource information at the end of this article.
John V. W. Howe is an entrepreneur, author, inventor, patent holder, husband, father, and grandfather. His degree in physics makes him curious about how things work and he was naturally fascinated with early GPS units and has followed their development.
His website, The-Best-GPS.com, helps readers identify the best GPS units.
For help on how to compare Garmin automotive GPS, go to http://www.the-best-gps.com/Compare-Garmin-GPS.html
After you narrow down you choices, learn how to find the customer reviews for your short list of possible GPS units at http://www.the-best-gps.com/GPS-Reviews.html
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_V._W._Howe http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Buy-Garmin-GPS&id=2850476
Related Links:
http://astore.amazon.com/780.garmin-20