Finding a Good GPS Fit

How well you can navigate your handheld GPS depends on the design of the GPS physical interface. And that often depends on how well the GPS physical interface fits you. For a good GPS fit, first consider the dimensions, the display and how nimble your fingers and gloves are. Then look at all the other interface options, like voice, keypads, scribes, navigation wheels and touchscreens,

For most GPS devices the obvious physical interface includes the display, and the GPS device’s dimensions and the weight. However, as you review GPS devices you will find their interfaces are as varied as their applications. Full-featured interfaces not only include the on/off switch but a host of ports and jacks for all types of devices: antenna attachments, auxiliary power charging, speakers, microphone, external displays, USB and NMEA ports. For alert notifications, you will also find multicolored LED indicators, flashing lights, siren sounds and your own mini flashlight.

To navigate your GPS device, there are navigation wheels, keyboards, buttons, scribes and touchscreens. For attaching your GPS device, you can find clever GPS mechanical designs that let you slide, snap, or clip to a myriad of electronic devices, vehicles and everyday objects.

For today’s GPS handheld the display is a major attraction. Features to look for on a display include its size and its resolution. The higher the resolution and the larger the screen, the more graphic details and the more textual information you will be able to see at once. Screens with higher resolution will let you read smaller text fonts than those with low resolution.

Screen display size is often given in inches and pixels. One model has listed for its 4- level gray LCD display a 1.6″ x 2.2″ screen size with a120 x 160 pixels screen size. This works out to 72 pixels per inch resolutions. Top of the line color models will have screens that are twice that size with twice the pixel resolution.

A major concern for many is not the display’s resolution. It’s the display’s backlighting and viewing angle. Many marine GPS vendors emphasize the readability of their displays in different lighting conditions. And that’s because readability in direct sunlight is a major issue.

GPS displays that are based on transflexive color technology are considered one of the best for all-light visibility and viewing angles. Transflexive displays are a must on in sunny lake and ocean environments on a sunny day. On these days, as many boaters know, the bright sun and glare from the water can almost blind you, let alone read a GPS display. That is unless it’s a transflexive color display.

If you’re impressed with the 3D graphics and tunes, don’t be. Looks will do you little good if the device refuses to work in hot weather or after a cold dip in the icy ocean. So take some time to see what your GPS physical interface is built of.

Examine the outer assembly of the GPS device. The outer assembly houses the delicate electronics of the GPS device. For marine applications it is often a waterproof assembly made of a sturdy composite material. The casing, besides protecting the GPS electronics from water, is often designed to insulate the internal electronics from temperature extremes, sudden falls and even the perils of fire.

Marine GPS casings are often airtight. Airtight GPS devices are waterproof and buoyant. However, they cannot be immersed or float in water forever. So if you want to know just how long, get a copy of the manufacturer’s published waterproof and float specifications.

You may also want to take some time to find out exactly what’s inside your GPS devices. That is finding out what company made the GPS chip inside. And find out if the chips are military grade, industrial grade, or everyday commercial grade. The most reliable GPS devices are made with military grade chips. And that’s because they are guaranteed to operate over the full military temperature range, -55 degrees Centigrade to + 125 degrees Centigrade.

The operator interface is another important GPS consideration. Some interfaces are built into the display as touchscreens. These touchscreens let you pan across maps, zoom and view and select data to display. However many complain that touchscreens are inconvenient to use.

If you find a touchscreen problematic, try out a GPS with a navigation wheel. With these wheels you use your thumb to activate different GPS functions, such as different map views, different data displays and different GPS features.

Also consider GPS devices that are voice controlled. You can program these devices to respond to different voice commands. Some even talk back and give you navigation instructions, sound off alarms or even play music.

Still not impressed? As time goes on, there is no doubt you will see easier to use GPS devices that also put on a great display. If you haven’t seen the award-winning movie Avatar, you should go just to check out what’s in the future for GPS display.

A number of companies have see-through Avatar-like displays in development. These futuristic displays offer up 3D digitally engraved colored lines on a transparent background. These displays are also small enough to be used as eyeglasses and helmet visors. In the future expect voice activated eyeglass displays that will let you simultaneously view your GPS maps and the great blue ocean in front of you.