Think GPS This Christmas: An Ideal Gift for a Variety of People

Are you one of those people who like exploring new places and find yourself getting lost? Do you have a problem reading maps? If you can read maps, do you have a problem trying to figure out where you are and its relation to where you want to go?

If you said yes to any of these questions or if you have a friend or family member who would probably say yes to one of those questions, it's time to buy a GPS system this holiday season.

GPS stands for Global Positioning System and was designed and operated by the U.S. Department of Defense.

It can determine your exact latitude, longitude, and elevation, within 40 to 50 feet, from coded signals from three or more satellites processed by a GPS every second.

Most GPS systems today come preloaded with maps of the U.S. and Canada and have extra storage room to allow for additional maps to be downloaded.

Tourist attractions, restaurants, stores hotels, banks, and gas stations all show up on GPS systems.

Many GPS systems are easy-to-use with touch controls allowing you to type in your destination and give you turn by turn directions.

If you go off route, the GPS will recalculate with new directions to your destination.

According to Best Buy, the biggest choice in determining a GPS system is choosing an in-dash system or a portable system.

There are several manufacturers which make GPS systems including Garmin, Magellan, TomTom, Harmon Kardon, Mio, Navigon, Pioneer, Cobra, Kenwood, LG, Intellinav, JVC, Jensen, Pharos, and Sonocaddie.

Systems can range between $50 and $2,500 with most systems costing around $300 to $400.

GPS features include text to speech (streets and turn directions are spoken), Bluetooth for Hands-Free Calling (allowing users to pair their Bluetooth phone to send and receive calls through the GPS), real-time traffic capable (allows users to receive traffic updates for a monthly fee), real-time weather updates (requires a monthly fee), speech recognition (allows users to verbally give certain commands to GPS), MP3 Player (capable of playing MP3 songs through a built-in speaker), the length of the battery life (the time that a portable GPS can be used without having to be charged through the automobile's DC charge), multiple destinations (allowing you to map stopovers along the way to your ultimate destination) and number of waypoints (some GPS systems have more businesses and attractions than others).

Consider any manufacturer warranties as well as warranties that can be purchased through the vendor or retail.

Get information on the cost of the warranty, what the warranty actually covers and does not cover, where you have to bring your system if you have a problem with it, and the length of the warranty.

The importance of a warranty is high if you are purchasing an expensive or moderately priced system but such a warranty is not as important if the system is sold at a low price.

Regarding installation of systems, retailers like Circuit City and Best Buy will charge you additionally for them to install it in your vehicle.

They can either hard wire it in the automobile to free up your cigarette lighter or anchor the system using that DC connection.

Keep in mind that larger units have large suction cups and their weight could cause the unit to fall off your windshield if not properly anchored.

While it's cheaper to install it yourself, be aware that you must follow the instruction manual and follow it exactly to decrease the chance of problems.

All systems show a map, show the distance of your trip, the estimated time length of your trip (approximate), and the current time.

They also have the ability to be updated, which should be done on an annual basis to allow your GPS to show you the construction of new roads and businesses or an upgrade of a road to a two-lane to an expressway.

Does size matter, you may ask?

Of course it does.

GPS systems range from 2 inches to slightly over 4 inch screen, the average system has a display of 3.5 inches.

Larger screens allow it easier to see the map displayed on the screen while smaller screens take up less space in your car on the windshield or on the dash, depending on where you place it.

Flat screen GPS systems, such as the Garmin nuvi, are much more portable than three-dimensional units.

Portability should be considered if you want to use the GPS system as a pedestrian or bicyclist, want to remove it from your vehicle for security reasons, or want to watch the GPS system perform a simulation turn-by-turn trip between your location and a destination.

Such simulations are quite helpful in getting oriented to an area and allow you to go over the directions on the screen and in your head before beginning your journey.

Keep in mind portability is essential if you plan to work with your GPS system while getting something to eat at a restaurant before reaching your destination.

The large downside of a GPS system is the fact that it can serve as a distraction while driving.

Instruction manuals for GPS systems remind users to not perform mapping, checking nearby local points of interest, or other intensive activities with the system while driving.

Before buying any system, do your homework by researching it online, going to stores and talking to knowledgeable employees, and talking to colleagues who already own GPS systems.