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When taking a trip by car, you used to have to print out lengthy sets of directions from an online site, or rely solely on your intuition and an atlas. Things have changed, however, and now you can get gps car navigation systems in your vehicle that will guide you just about anywhere you want to go. Some new models of cars and trucks automatically come with this feature, and others can be bought separately.

I was in Florida where it can be impossible to find your way around, especially in the packed tourist cities like Orlando. We were staying on Disney property so my brother could attend a conference, so my days were free to explore the area. Being by myself, I didn’t want to get lost, so I figured it would be as good a time as any to do some research on auto navigation systems. I rented an Explorer with a GPS unit installed in the dash, and I immediately began to test it. I wanted to see if it could accurately lead me back to my hotel and to other short destinations that I already had the directions for.

Another feature to keep in mind when comparing handheld GPS is the precision of the directions they offer. Roads change all the time, new roads are built, and construction is a huge issue. You want a system that will keep up with changes on a regular basis, and can do so with little work on your part. Updates may come regularly, or you may have to request one before you start your trip. You can find car navigation systems online, and at specialty stores. Shop around for the best price and ask a lot of questions before you buy. Find out if there is a monthly or yearly fee for service, and what extras a particular model may offer you. Find out if the directions are easy to access, if the model offers voice directions, or if you have to read the screen. If the screen is too bright, or if it is affected by sunlight, you aren’t going to find it easy to use in most cases.

Regardless, auto navigation systems will make the journey much more enjoyable. You basically just program your destination in the device, and it takes over. Once it has your address, it will use its antenna to pinpoint your current location. Then it will begin routing. Simply mount the auto navigation system in your vehicle and take off. It literally tells you where to go every step of the way. How awesome is that! You will never get lost again. So far my wife and I have used auto navigation systems on a number of occasions. They’re not just for traveling a long distance you know. Take advantage of handheld GPS whenever possible. It will save you oodles of time, effort and frustration.

Mark Green tries to divide time between two hobbies: gadget reviews and communication studies. Handheld GPS are a wave of technology that is definitely here to stay, and which keep getting more and more sophisticated and more widespread. Get to know more about your favorite handheld GPS.

- Mark Green