subject: Shopping For GPS Accessories The Right Way [print this page] Shopping For GPS Accessories The Right Way
One of the primary concerns when you buy a GPS is getting the accessories you need. So many systems these days are meant to be portable and so they require mounting devices, carrying cases, power cords and, well, whatever else you can think of to jazz up or personalize your system. Of course, not all accessories are the same. The way some can be used will appeal to you more than others will, plus the quality of some will be higher. How can you know with certainty which ones are worth the money? We took a look at the most popular GPS accessories being sold through the web. Here is what we found out.
It is not difficult to find plenty of consumer reviews of the products you are considering. Look on the various websites available with customer blogs or reviews for some honest answers about most products, a few places to look are amazom.com and newegg.com. The company reviews will give you a biased view of the product whereas user reviews are more open and honest. You should put some weight into these user reviews because they are going to be most honest and reliable compared with solicited ads for the product. Getting reviews from real users is always better than trusting a corporately approved website.
As for carrying cases, the Garmin 4.3-Inch seems to be a winner, too. It's a top seller at both Amazon and Newegg.com. The idea behind this carrying case is pretty simple: it is supposed to keep your GPS system from getting scratched or damaged when you are not using it. It's always important to treat your GPS with some TLC, even though it can take some abuse it's still delicate electronics. So it's not something like a fashion thing to use a carrying case, they serve a good function which is to take care of your unit.
You have to figure out if you really need the accessories you are condsidering. With all of the accessories currently available You might be tempted to buy them all. This is what happens when you first buy something new and "shiny." Before you buy your GPS make sure you know what you really need it to do. The travel adaptors are a must have if you are travelling alot. Some cyclists may like that they can determine their speed. Portable units require a good carrying case to help deter accidents. Once you've decided what you really need and what ways you will use your GPS unit you will be able to choose the right accessories for your unit.
When you're talking accessories for GPS units, you know they are not equal in a lot of ways. Some accessories are better or more useful than others. The smartest approach, we've found at least, is to do copious research and decide what you want before you go to a store. That's where the best and most cost-effective decisions will be made, and you don't want to be clueless and talking to a sales person.
