Which GPS should I buy?

Current GPS receivers are a compromise between competing objectives. Some are optimized for Aviation, others for Boating, and somel others for Car Navigation and others for Hiking activities. A few are just an “electronic map” that shows your position on the map screen. Others have no maps at all and can be just fine if you just want to know your longitude/latitude.

As you can see is no “best or single choice” of an all around vehicle for flying, marine use, road driving and moving across rough terrain, there is no “best” unit for these multiple applications in the GPS department. “BEST” is highly dependent on your application, money you want to spend, and the features that you like. First of all what you need to do is to define for what purpose you are going to need the device.

For Marine and Aviation uses, there are many additional GPS units optimized for these applications. These include the Garmin G-162 and the G-176, G-76 and Magellan Meridian and Sportrak models. While many other GPS units may indeed work fine for casual user in Marine and Aviation applications, most of these units are not optimized for these applications.

If you want specific help in selecting a GPS, we suggest you describe your application in detail and post your request to some GPS forums. People on the forums have wide experience and will be glad to offer their varied opinions on which GPS is the best for your particular application.

Buying a first GPS is comparable to buying your first car. You think you know what you want, but until you drive the unit around for awhile, you will not have a clear idea of what GPS is all about, what the limitations are and what you should have bought in the first place. There are literally hundreds of different GPS models and there is good reason for this. There are MANY applications and different people have different ideas about what best GPS choice means for their particular use.

Joy and Fun in your Navigations!