| How Much Does a GPS System Cost? |
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| | | Global positioning systems (GPS) are popular with drivers for navigation and mapping. Handheld, or wrist-mounted, GPS devices are used in the outdoors for activities such as hiking, mountain climbing, camping, running and cycling. Technology has improved, making the problem of reception dropout less common; however, some devices still use the older technology. | | |
| Typical costs: | - On the low end, you can expect to pay $150 to $300 for a barebones GPS navigation system with a screen smaller than 4 inches; or a non-mapping handheld GPS location device with basic navigation functions and sometimes a color screen; or for a smaller device with training functions that straps onto the arm or mounts on a bicycle. Examples include the automotive GPS device Tom Tom ONE, which sells for about $250 to $300, and the Garmin Forerunner 305, which sells for about $200 to $300.
- In the mid-range, you can expect to pay $300 to $500 for a higher end handheld GPS locator device with a color screen, maps and extra features, such as an altimeter; or a basic automotive GPS device, usually with color display maps and turn-by-turn directions and points of interest, such as ATMs and gas stations. At the upper end of this price range, you can expect to find extras such as MP3 and video players.
- Examples include the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx, which sells for about $350 to $450, the DeLorme Earthmate GPS PN-20, which sells for about $380 to $420, and the Garmin Street Pilot c550, which sells for about $325 to $350.
- On the high end, you can expect to pay $500 to $800 or more for a fully loaded automotive GPS device with a large screen of 4 to 7 inches, a lot of extra features, such as extra maps, currency converters and Bluetooth. Examples include the Garmin nuvi 680, which sells for about $580 to $680, and the Garmin Street Pilot 7500, which sells for about $1,000 to $1,300.
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| What should be included: | - GPS location devices communicate with satellites above the earth to chart the user's exact location.
- Auto GPS location devices display the vehicle's location and provide road maps and audible driving directions. A dashboard-mounting device usually is included; some give traffic updates and play MP3s and videos.
- Handheld GPS location devices usually are rugged and waterproof, and have smaller screens and longer battery life than devices made for use in vehicles. They display the user's location within 50 feet and help with navigation. Some include a compass and altimeter.
- Units made for runners and cyclists come with an arm strap; some have a heart rate monitor.
- GPSManiac.com offers a GPS tutorial.
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| Additional costs: | - Some automotive GPS units come with a few months of free trial subscription to live traffic updates via Clear Channel. To purchase a subscription after the trial period costs $60 per year.
- Some GPS receivers have a slot to insert a memory card; extra memory costs $30 to $200 or more.
- You might want to purchase extra mapping software, which can cost $50 to $200 or more.
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| Discounts: | - More manufacturers are offering hybrid GPS location devices that work both outdoors and in vehicles. An example is the $450 Magellan Crossover GPS.
- Also, some cell phones and PDAs come with a built-in GPS device; an example is the Sanyo SCP-7050, a Sprint phone with a rugged design that costs about $149 with a two-year contract and $279 without one. The HP iPAQ rx5915 PDA, which costs about $450, has a GPS location device.
- Units that use older technology sometimes can be bought at a steep discount -- usually starting at a little more than $100.
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| Shopping for a gps system: | - It is a good idea to steer clear of GPS location devices that do not use the latest technology, the SiRF star III microcontroller chip, which allows for faster initial fix times, better signals in non-flat areas, such as near trees and skyscrapers, and uses less power. GPSMagazine.com has a list of units to avoid.
- It is a good idea to give serious thought to exactly when and where you will want to use your GPS location device. There are models geared toward drivers, toward outdoor enthusiasts, runners and international travelers; each has purpose-specific features and limitations.
- Find competitive prices online at sites such as Amazon.com or Costco.com. Then, look for comparable or discounted prices at local electronics retailers such as Best Buy or Circuit City.
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Article updated November 2007 |
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Recent Posts |
| Amount: $120.00 |
TomTom ONE
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| Posted by: PC Guy in Milpitas, CA. | Purchased: November, 2007 |
| I bought two TomTom One's at Best Buy -- one Limited Edition on sale Black Friday morning for $120, and a 3rd edition (for a gift) at the store for $150. This seems like a good deal -- I saw one guy buying it at Fry's for the MSRP of $250. This is my first GPS device and so far, it's been very useful and very cool. One negative: the TomTom One's directory of nearby Points of Interest (resturants, shops, etc.) is spotty, as reviewers have said. I checked out a Garmin on display at BestBuy, and it seemed easier to use, however the price was right for the ToTom, and it comes with maps of the US AND Canada, which I needed. If you're thinking about it, most stores have several display models, so you can try them out to see which you like best. |
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| Amount: $150.00 |
Tom Tom One
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| Posted by: Torrah in Greensboro, NC. | Purchased: January, 2008 |
| I purchased a Tom Tom One a few months ago its very useful for a person who doesnt remember streets. But it kinda doesnt have every location I would like it to have. Overall its great |
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| Amount: $350.00 |
Seems like a good deal
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| Posted by: e-shopper in Seattle, WA, CA. | Purchased: June, 2008 |
| I paid $350 (+tax) for a Garmin Nuvi 760 from Costco as a Father's Day gift -- Costco has a sale on their website through the end of the month. Seemed like a good price -- I saw Fry's selling the Garmin Nuvi 760 for $500 (ripoff!). I can't vouch for how good it is. Consumer Reports ranked the 760 #1 -- it has blue tooth, street names, and (I'm told) a good Point of Interest directory. On the minus side, I hear new models are coming out that acquire the satellites (figure out where you are) more quickly, and waiting to acquire your location is one of my major disappointments with GPS systems. |
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