My gosh choosing the right GPS unit for your car can be a real “beach” sometimes, can’t it? Well, I agree, but maybe we should discuss all this. You see, many folks are now aware that they need a GPS for their car, not only does it save you fuel, and keeps you from getting lost, it also helps when traffic gets to be a real bear, and it gives you an alternate route.

Indeed, many new higher-end cars come with GPS as a standard feature, for other cars it is an add-on. Generally if you buy a new car the GPS system will be no less than $1500, and can be upwards of 5000 dollars. I guess you are beginning to see all the challenges involved aren’t you?

Sometimes, it makes sense to buy your car and then install an aftermarket GPS system, which is much cheaper, and often has even more potential features. It also makes sense to remember that just like most people do not know how to use all the features on their TV video recorder VHS, not all the features are worth paying for, especially if you will never use them.

At RadioShack you can buy some very inexpensive entry-level GPS products, including a personal GPS for when you’re out taking a hike, or riding your bicycle. These can be used just about anywhere, and if you are riding in your car you merely hold the GPS system near the front windshield so that it can get a direct line to the satellite, and it should work perfectly. However, let’s talk about choosing a GPS system for your car which is actually made for an automobile.

Not all GPS come with service plans, some you merely install and they just work, and they have mapping software built-in. Others get information from the satellite far beyond positioning information. And they feed this information as you drive. They can tell you about traffic jams, the fastest routes, and information about Starbucks coffee shops, gas stations, hotels, airports, Rent-A-Cars, and a host of other things based on your own preferences. Below are some things you might wish to think on to help you consider these options;

• Go online and read some of the GPS forums, and see what consumers are saying.
• Go to Consumer Reports magazine online and read their annual issue comparing all the GPS units by cost and features.
• Figure out if it makes sense to buy an aftermarket GPS, or if it makes sense to partake in the extra option when you buy your new car.
• Consider a full on installation type GPS, or a portable type system for your car in case you’re going to sell your car, or in case you have multiple cars that you often use.
• Always check the GPS units which have services attached to them, how much is this per month, and will this add money to your personal budget.
• Talk to your friends, and ask if you can drive around with them to check it out. Actually using a GPS unit can help you decide which format you like best, they are not all the same, and they definitely are not all created equally.

Indeed, I hope you will please consider all these tips.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes it’s hard to write 20,000 articles; http://www.bloggingcontent.net/ – Note: All of Lance Winslow’s articles are written by him, not by Automated Software, any Computer Program, or Artificially Intelligent Software. None of his articles are outsourced, PLR Content or written by ghost writers.