GPS Devices Make Maps Thing Of Past

With the rapidly improving technology of the 21st Century, gizmos and gadgets are helping make people's lives easier.

One thing that is becoming a thing of the past is marital strife due to the old cliche of the stubborn husband refusing to stop and ask for directions, thanks to the increasing popularity of GPS navigation systems.

There is no need to stop when you can plug your destination in on the move and follow the simple audio directions.

"The map is going extinct, is how I see it. The paper map is a thing of the past," said Alan Anderson, who calls himself an Audio Tech Secret Weapon for Best Buy. "GPS is probably our best selling car audio device lately. You go into any Best Buy store and you will see a huge selection of GPS units."

If only the Griswolds of the classic "National Lampoon's Vacation" movies had a GPS unit, they would have been able to avoid trouble in St. Louis, Arizona and London.

Many of the major auto companies offer GPS as an option. But if you don't get it from the factory, a few hundred dollars you can avoid the hassle and difficulty of following your cousin's terrible directions that say things like, "If you pass a barn with no roof, you went too far."

What Does GPS Cost?

Tossing out your old maps in favor of a portable GPS unit costs anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand.

For someone who travels a lot, Anderson recommended a portable device.

"The portable ones are great for travel, because say you're going to Florida or California on business. (You) just take it with you and put it in the rental car, and now you know your way around, rather than trying to read and study a map," said Anderson.

For handheld units, prices start at around $200 to $300 and go up from there.

To have a device installed in your car, Best Buy charges $49.99 to take out your old radio and install a GPS, and the device itself can be bought starting around $500 to $600 and going as high as $3,000. There are many features that can be added which add to the price.

"Bluetooth will add to the cost, voice guidance will add to the cost," said Anderson. "Then the in-dash units, there are things you can add to them. Back-up camera, satellite radio, your portable music devices, another cost is to play DVDs. Also, you can get live traffic on some of them."

Guided By Voices

One convenient feature that Anderson said is becoming standard on most GPS units is an audio device that will tell you your directions.

"The in-dash ones basically replace your radio and will be wired to your speakers in the car," said Anderson. "Say you are listening to the radio and it's time to turn: It will mute your radio and say, 'Right turn in 500 feet at such and such street.'"

So, if you are looking for any holiday gift ideas, a GPS unit is one that -- as they say -- will keep on giving all year round.

"The printed maps, I don't think anyone is going to say, 'I want that,' versus one that tells you where to go and the quickest way to get there," said Anderson. "People love them and recommend them to friends, 'Hey you got to get one of these.'"