GPS tracking devices are commonly described as like maps on steroids. On their most basic, the devices tell you that sort of “You Are Here” dot, so you no longer have to figure that out for yourself. If you are going to a particular destination, all you need to do is to tell it where you want to go and the device will plot the exact course for you.

It doesn’t end there though. Most of newly designed and developed GPS tracking devices these days feature a voice prompt that tells the direction for you to take during the entire trip. It even tells you where the nearest gas station is and other establishments, and will even put you back on course in case you take a wrong turn.

Having said all these, I guess it’s worth education yourself about the features of these wonderful GPS tracking devices and in the end decide which unit will best suit your needs. Well, there is certainly no shortage of GPS tracking devices available, so I think doing a little research can save you a lot time and hassle.

Here are simple steps you can take before you decide for a particular GPS unit:

Know the Types of GPS Tracking Devices

There are basically four main types of GPS tracking devices. The first is in-car navigation systems, which helps you to identify your location from point A to point B in your car. This type will also tell you the nearest gas station and many more places along your route. It is simple used for tracking your exact location.

The second type is the portable outdoor units. As the name implies, these are great for those who love to hike or bike, or those who spend a significant amount of time outside. For instance, if you’re out hiking, you can easily track where you’ve been, mark your own points of interest and even find out how far you’ve gone and at what speed. There are also some handheld GPS tracking devices that have built in radios which not only allow you to communicate with your fellow hikers, but will also display everyone’s location on your screen.

The third type is the marine system which is best when you’re on water or if fishing is your thing.

The last type is a combination of the first and second type, known as PDA/GPS hybrid. GPS tracking devices of this kind offers you large screen and a PDA to help you keep organized.

Consider Your Budget

If you’re on a budget, then it is necessary to decide which features of the GPS tracking devices are most important for you. If for instance you want a full featured car navigation system, it can easily run for more than $1000. However, if it would be more of a toy to play with, then handheld GPS tracking devices could be a better choice as they can be as low as $100 and rarely more than $500. The marine GPS tracking devices vary widely in prices, but a very good choice may cost no more than $1000. And, if the PDA/GPS hybrid devices interest you, the typically cost of these GPS tracking devices range from $400 to $900.

Know Where to Buy

So you’ve decided on a particular GPS device. Well, find the right store to purchase, but this can be difficult as most stores only carry one or two of those kinds of GPS tracking device. With this problem, I recommend you to look for GPS units online as the prices will likely be lower and you’ll be able to read the user reviews of the items before you purchase. Just make sure that if you encounter problems with the unit you are able to return it.