Car GPS System
With regard to a car GPS system, you'll probably want something with a large color screen (easier to glance at while keeping your attention on the road), and the ability to plug the unit into your vehicle's cigarette lighter. If the unit is well-positioned on the dashboard, you probably won't need an external antenna. The unit's built-in antenna should do just fine.
About MapsNow, about maps that come with car GPS systems: The base maps that come with some units depict only the major highways. While this is better than nothing, you'll probably want detailed road maps of the area in which you're traveling. If you need to find 123 Elm Street in Anytown, USA, for example, a detailed highway map will lead you right to it. Elm Street won't even show up on a base map.Your car GPS system may come with detailed highway maps, or you may have to purchase them separately. Plus, every couple of years or so, you may want to buy map updates. Highways change, businesses along those highways come and go, so the latest map updates are good to have.
Cool Map FeaturesOne map feature that I like is the ability to find certain businesses in your vicinity. Say you're in a strange town, and you want to find a Starbucks. Ask your GPS if there's one nearby. If it's loaded with the proper highway maps, not only will it tell you all the Starbucks around, it'll also tell you how far away they are, and lead you to whichever one you choose. Or say, you're traveling down the interstate and you want to know the restaurants at the upcoming exits. Many GPS units will do just that.Or what if you want to go out to eat, and you don't know where the restaurants are? Ask the GPS. It'll tell you most restaurants in your area, give you their phone numbers, and lead you right to them. For example, you ask for restaurants in your vicinity. Up pops a list including, we'll say, Panera Bread, Burger King, Subway, Red Lobster, Dairy Queen, Roadhouse Grill, Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, and so on. When you select any one, you'll get the location, distance from you, and the telephone number of that restaurant. I usually call them to make sure they're still there, and open. If so, and we choose to go there, I just ask the GPS to take me to it. It maps out a route, and away we go. Your GPS will also find businesses other than restaurants, and this can be handy. My car once broke down in West Palm Beach. It's a Mercedes, and you don't want Moe, Larry and Curly working on your Mercedes. They're specialized cars and you'd like to find someone who knows what they're doing. I asked my GPS for a Mercedes dealership, and up popped a garage specializing in working on Mercedes'. They were 4 miles away. I called AAA. They towed me there. The knowledgeable mechanic diagnosed my problem, fixed my car, and the next day I was on the road. Thanks to GPS.
Where to get a GPSIf you're looking for a GPS for your car, I can recommend Tiger GPS. I have purchased from them before, and liked doing business with them. They sent my stuff right away, and they were among the lowest-price vendors.
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