What To Look For
The main consumer GPS products that Garmin offers can be divided into four categories--trail, road, sport, and water. Garmin trail devices are generally used in hiking and backpacking and include features such as high sensitivy receivers that can find signals in covered remote areas and electronic compasses to be used with traditional maps. Garmin road products offer features such as nuRoute and Traffic Trends, which help route you away from traffic problems. Road GPS units also have voice recognition and playback to allow you to interact with the GPS without manual input, making your drive safer. Sport Garmins are offered as both hand-helds and wrist-watch style units. They feature heart rate monitors and barometers. Some sport models may include golf course maps. Water Garmins are for sailing and boating, offering large screens, and sonar and radar capabilities.
Common Pitfalls
Do not assume that any GPS will work for your activity. A GPS is only as good as the features it provides. Most GPS units come with maps that are specific to their use. If you need a GPS for the trail, avoid those that come with road maps or nautical maps. While you can load aftermarket software on to your GPS, it will often nearly double the cost.
Where To Buy
The best place to buy a Garmin GPS unit is online at Garmin.com or at your local Garmin dealer. Buying online will allow you to browse all Garmin models, comparing features and isolating the best product for you. Most Garmin retailers will offer units that match their clientele needs. For example, camping retailers like REI and Cabelas will most often offer Garmin devices for the trail, while marine retailers like West Marine will only offer nautical Garmin devices.
Cost
Garmin GPS units range in price from $100 to $7,000. The cheapest Garmin devices are simple units made for offering basic road, trail or sport directions. The most expensive Garmin devices are those with large screens and waterproof housing, such as those made for sailing and boating. Always consider the cost of additional software--which starts at $60--and batteries which cost between $10 and $50. If you shop online, consider the cost of shipping and handling.
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