GPS or Global Positioning System makes use of satellite capabilities to pinpoint the exact location of a transmitting device with accuracy. These tools can guide you to where you would like to go by graphically showing your actual position in a map and giving you turn by turn directions to your destination.

Initially as large contraptions attached to cars and other vehicles, the advances made in GPS devices have gone a long way resulting in smaller, a higher number of portable, and more affordable devices packed with a wide bundle of features that users like you will surely enjoy. Some of the devices with this technology include car DVD players, wristbands, mobile phones, smartphones handheld units, computers and even devices small enough to be put onto your keychain.

The list of devices that can be made capable of handling some form of GPS functionality is literally endless, from the least expensive portable units, to the most expensive and high-end units with 3D and high-definition digital cartiographs. As a distributor or entrepreneur engaged in the GPS business, it is important that you are familiar with the assets, disadvantages and features of each of these device so you are in a better position to help your customers make the right choice.

Coming To Grips With The Average GPS Device

What follows is a brief look at the more popular GPS navigation devices available in the sector:

• Car DVD Players with GPS Capabilities

The car DVD player used to be just for keeping the kids quiet in the back but thes days it can be used for much more, including communication and navigation. These players have great audio quality and high resolution screens which are much higher quality than other portable GPS devices.

The problem however lies in how hard car DVD playes are to carry around as these units are directly installed on your vehicle’s dashboard. The other problem is the cost, it is often the most expensive form of GPS navigation. These gadgets however appeal to people with a more classy taste and have no qualms in spending more for better quality. These devices also appeal to people who constantly make use of GPS systems on their cars such as limousine services and car rentals.

• Handheld GPS navigational units

People who are looking for portability or the ability to use their GPS device in different vehicles will be more inclined to use portable GPS units. There are a great number of portable navigational devices available from snap on units that can be mounted on a card dashboard or handheld GPS navigational devices that can be strapped on the wrist or arms while hiking or jogging.

These devices have the same functionality with installed GPS units although the audio quality and resolution would be lower. You can play multimedia files uploaded to the units internal memory, but these devices have no capabilities of reading CDs or DVDs directly. The main attraction however is the units superb portability and the lower price that can be cut by as much as 30% to 50% compared to other GPS devices.

• Smartphones With GPS Capability

The FCC mandated E911 required cell phone manufacturers to have GPS capabilities built in to cell phones and smartphones to help 911 response units to pinpoint the the location of the phone during emergencies. But emergency situations are not the only use for the GPS capabilities of these phones as you can use them for directional information just like any other GPS electronic gadget.

They may not have the same features as other GPS devices but these phones are at the top when it comes to mobile communications. These devices appeal to people who need GPS functionality but do not want to lug around a separate unit.

Helping Your Customers Make the Right Choice

If you are selling GPS devices online it is up to you to make sure your customer chooses the right device for their circumstances. So, it is vital that you ask customer certain questions that will guide them in the selection process.

First is to ask them what particular sitations they intend to use the device in.You wouldn’t suggest a car DVD player to a backpacker and you wouldn’t suggest a cell phone to a person who spends 1/2 of their life in their car.

Frequencies are another thing to ask people about, particularly with their need to use a cellular phone equipped with GPS or they aim to use a dual-band or tri-band portable GPS navigator outside the country. Take note that GSM signal frequencies are sometimes be different depending on where the customer is going so it is important that you and your customer have a knowledge of exactly what they need.

Just like frequencies DVD regions are something else to take into consideration when someone is thinking about getting a car DVD. They may end up unable to play certain DVDs if there are regional limitations in the electronic gadget itself.

Aside from the above, you should ask customers the particular features or applications that they would like their GPS device to have. If they need to play DVDs or CDs then recommending a portable GPS or even a cell phone is not very wise. If they want to take the GPS navigator don’t recommend a car DVD. Cell phones and portable GPS units can be installed added applications so it would be wise to know what can be installed or not.