Those looking to upgrade are in for an easier time than first-time buyers, but there are simple tips that should serve you well in your search for the best Bluetooth GPS receiver that suits your needs and budget.
The Voice Prompt of any GPS:
– this may sound trivial to some, but on a long trip, it’s important. The bigger companies like Garmin GPS allows users to change the voice prompt of their Garmin Nuvi line of GPS systems and even download new ones from their website. A soothing voice that’s clear and free of distracting nuances should be the ideal one. Listen to it yourself before buying. Just remind yourself that making a mistake here has the potential to drive you crazy. Just imagine having to listen to Jar Jar Binks telling you to “turn left” or “yoosa stop” for three hours and you’d consider ignoring his directions and driving off a cliff to end your suffering.
Design of Handheld GPS Units:
– do you go to your destination by car or do you walk/commute. There is a big difference between in-car navigation systems and handheld GPS units. First thing to consider when going with a handheld unit is a lot of mobile phones now come with GPS so you can lighten the load as well as simplify your gear when you consolidate a few things. Handheld GPS units still offer some advantages, though. For one, a GPS receiver eats a lot of juice and if you are on the road for some time, you can use up your phone’s battery before very quickly. With a dedicated GPS device, you get to use your phones for what it’s really intended for – making calls. also, dedicated GPS devices have better reception and thus, accuracy because of a bigger antenna and also dedicated circuitry. With an in-car system, check to see if the design gives you the option of placing the GPS receiver wherever you like. Some have this crucial part built in to the unit itself. This is not the ideal place for it because the signal from the GPS satellites orbiting the earth can be blocked by the dashboard if the unit is mounted in its intended location. Having the option to place the GPS receiver on the windshield or someplace similar would allow your Bluetooth GPS receiver to get the best signal possible – greatly increasing its accuracy.
Compatibility of GPS Receiver:
– Bluetooth marketing claims that the technology is a standard, meaning everything that has Bluetooth is supposed to be compatible with everything else. This is not the case, however. Check out GPS reviews to find out if the Bluetooth GPS receiver you are planning to buy is compatible with the devices you want to link it to. As most buyers are looking to connect their unit to a car’s multifunction display, check first if there are known issues with your particular combination. Also, don’t forget to check the compatibility of the navigation software with your computer. With most systems, you will have to connect it to a computer in order to sync it with your destination and this has the potential of ruining your trip before it even starts if you don’t do your homework.