What You Should Know About Updating Your GPS

Now that you have decided to purchase a GPS, one important factor to take into consideration is that each type will require updating in a different way. For example, dedicated in-vehicle units tend to be updated via a CD, which has to be purchased from whatever supplier you decide to use.

GPS units which are attached to a PDA, as well as most handheld dedicated GPS device, are usually updated via a PC. They also need maps, but said maps can usually be acquired at a much lower price than the dedicated branded ones needed for other systems.

We can't stress enough the importance of being able to update the device easily and at a reasonable cost. This a very important part of the decision process and, unlike other consumer devices that you might purchase, the cost of ownership of a GPS unit is proportional to its usefulness. It is an investment designed to save you time and money in due course.

The less you spend on maintaining it, the less useful it becomes since the road networks are always changing. This is perhaps less important for devices aimed at hiking and orienteering, but could be a factor in deciding whether a multi-function device is better than one dedicated to a specific use.

A recent trend has seen PDA manufacturers attaching a GPS antenna, and providing sophisticated software and maps which use the power of the PDA to give an excellent solution. They might not be rugged, but they do provide a very good base for both in-vehicle and general navigation. Rather than having a direct connection, many PDA - based GPS solutions use Bluetooth as a means to communicate with the GPS receiver. This makes for easier installation and transportability.

Whichever path you choose to take, always bear in mind the importance of keeping your GPS receiver's map data up-to-date.