On top of the obvious considerations while choosing a GPS
system, like screen size, features, and price, there are a few other
not-so-obvious items you’ll want to ponder prior to purchasing your GPS system.
If you plan on keeping your system for a long time you’ll
also want to review the warranty and costs to update the system. It is
recommended that you update your system mapping software once a year. The
frequency of your updates, of course, varies by how often you’ll be traveling
in new areas. If you only use it to drive around your city, you probably won’t
need updates as often as someone who uses their GPS system to guide them across
the country on a regular basis. Some systems include free updates for a limited
amount of time, while others charge $50 to $150 and up, depending on size of
region selected for updating. If you want a system that is guaranteed to last
you’ll want to review the warranty before purchase. Most systems include a
one-year warranty, and allow for the addition of an extended warranty,
sometimes through the retailer, for an added cost. Ratings and customer reviews are a great way to measure
customer satisfaction for particular models. Popular non-biased websites that
conduct professional product reviews are CNET.com, pcmag.com gpsreview.com and
consumerreports.com, to name a few. There are also an infinite number of blogs and
websites dedicated to customer reviews and feedback. Even some retailer sites,
like Amazon.com and Costco.com, are designed to allow customer feedback about
products. Be an informed shopper and read some reviews before purchase!
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