The Best Personal GPS Locator Watches

The Best Personal GPS Locator Watches
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What To Look For

Are you an avid runner that tends to run on trails? Or is your child involved in so many activities that you worry about his whereabouts? A GPS locator watch will help you get back on track. It has the ability to utilize over three satellites, a built in 911 button and tracking device so that you can log in online and retrieve the wearer's location. There are many features to look for when deciding to purchase the best personal GPS locator watch, such as tracking that will give your location within seconds and calculate your time, speed, distance and pace. Some also have a built in compass and provide fitness training.

Common Pitfalls

Personal GPS locator watches have so many features that are important to athletes, runners and parents. However, there are a few pitfalls to note. The first pitfall is that there are so many brands, and that can make it difficult to decide on which is the best personal GPS locator watch for you. To cut the list of possibilities, it's helpful to ask questions to a friend or family member that has one, or ask a sales representative to help you determine which features are the most important to you. The second pitfall is that the personal GPS locator watches have a limited battery life. Some GPS locator watches last four hours, while others can last up to 12 hours.

Where To Buy

There are several brands that make personal GPS locator watches, such as Casio, Garmin and Polar. Most of these products are sold through independent dealers like Pimall or commercial retailers such as Best Buy and Walmart. The best personal GPS locator watches are sold in large retail stores. Take a look at their websites to view what they have in stock.

Cost

Prices of GPS locator watches vary. The features that are offered play a huge roll in how much you will pay. For example, Garmin has three levels of their Forerunner GPS locator watch. The first is the 205 sports watch, which, in 2010, runs about $130 at Walmart. The second is the 305, which sells for about $150 at Best Buy, and there's the 405 GPS Enabled Sport Watch with a heart rate monitor that sells for roughly $350 at Walmart. It's best to look for a good bargain. The holidays or seasonal sales tend to have the best deals. Also, check online for sales and you may be able to order the same watch at a lower price. Because the best personal GPS locator watches tend to cost more than standard watches, it's best to purchase them when there is a discount.

Comparison Shopping

Casio introduced the first GPS locator watch in 1999. It is the smallest navigation device, is enabled with a rechargeable battery and has a higher degree of resistance to water. However, according to the experts at GPS Watches, Polar currently holds the lead for the most popular GPS locator watch among athletes, coaches and personal trainers. They also concluded that Suunto GPS locator watches are more accurate and dependable above other brands. Unstable terrain and lack of landmarks do not have any effect on its abilities to navigate.

References

Article reviewed by David Ciminelli Last updated on: Dec 8, 2010

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