Magellan Portable GPS units seem to have blazed a trail for others to follow, going back to the 100 series units that – by comparison – seem primitive.  As time went on, gradual innovations and technological advancements have brought these units to where we are now, and have also prompted other players to enter the world of personal GPS devices.  But the name Magellan is still the one most commonly given credit for bringing the technology to the average consumer.

There are two basic areas of use for GPS units; in a vehicle or on the ground.  Just about all of the Magellan units are “technically” portable.  However, the Explorist series were designed for the rugged conditions encountered while venturing the great outdoors.  Most of the Explorist models are similar in size, shape, and design.  They may come in different colors, but the insides are essentially the same.  The biggest gain is available in the features, which range from stripped down in the earlier models to info overload in the newer ones.  The portable units are lightweight and small enough to fit in your pocket.

Power is usually left to AA batteries that give users anywhere from 10 to about 17 hours of continuous use, depending on the GPS unit.  This is a good idea, since hardcore hikers may find electricity difficult to come by in the rugged outdoors. Over time, some of the Magellan portable GPS units went from standard AA batteries to a Li-Ion battery pack, which offered high end performance – that 17 hour figure.  However, recharging a battery pack in the woods is far from practical.  It is wise for each user to buy a GPS that fits his or her individual plan and not necessarily the one with the most bells and whistles.

Magellan Portable GPS units also adapted in display technology.  The earliest models offered minimal information on grayscale screens with backlighting for dark conditions.  This was sufficient at the time, but it was only a matter of time before 16-color displays made their appearance.  This may have been facilitated by the increasing detail offered in some of the newer software that was being developed that would have been tough to disseminate on those earlier models with grayscale displays.

Another well received advancement with Magellan Portable GPS units was the ability to interface with personal computers.  This feature was a welcome step for users who wished to download geocache information as well as those wishing to buy downloads for their GPS units.   Magellan didn’t miss the boat here, and manufactured their units with more room for the potential of expanding a unit’s capabilities based on the needs of the user.  The computer interface is as simple as connecting a standard USB cable and logging on the Magellan website.  As the newer units came on board, they started to resemble mini-computers and had information capabilities to match.

Of course, most of these later features out-dazzled the standard early model features.  Yet is still a fairly neat trick to walk with a small hand held device and have it tell you where you are and in what direction you’re heading, which is pretty standard in even the earliest Magellan models.  And while you could drop hundreds of additional dollars to get the very best GPS unit, the bottom line is that some people only need a basic point A to point B type device that gives the user a decent level of comfort amidst unfamiliar surroundings.  The nice thing is that these primitive models are fairly inexpensive and perform basic navigational functions just fine.  Sure, the newer models can probably get you closer to your destination in areas where signal strength may affect performance, but generally speaking, you will still be guided to within a few feet of your planned destination, which is about all you can ask of any mobile GPS unit.

How does Advantage Flea Control compare to other medications used to kill or prevent these pests?  The better question might be – why are there so many choices?  After all, if you wander down the pet care aisle of your favorite shopping establishment, you are inundated with options, from flea collars to shampoos that keep killing fleas and ticks for weeks.  And while finding a flea might prompt one to beat a hasty path to the veterinarian, doing a little research on both chemical and Natural Flea Control options might save you time and money.

In the past, the common course of treatment was to take your dog or cat in for a flea bath, unless you were a do-it-yourselfer.  Those who didn’t want to be bothered with high-priced vet visits would douse their pets with sprays or powders that contained all sorts of poisons, without a second thought as to the health and welfare of the animal. As long as it prevented our habitat from infestation, the battle was won.  But to soak your pets’ skin with dose upon dose of flea control medications can eventually lead to more serious consequences than skin irritation, including major organ problems and even death.

Advantage is a simple and less toxic treatment that, when applied according to directions, is quite safe.  It is also an ongoing treatment, which will keep your animal free from fleas and ticks.  It kills quickly and prevents re-infestation. However, it is not recommended for puppies or kittens under seven-week of age.  It is also not going to help prevent heartworm in your canine, which is a parasitic disease spread with the help of mosquitoes.  For help in this area, K9 advantix is the product to use.  But Advantix is not suitable for cats.

Now you understand why it is so important to do some research if you plan on doing your own treatment.

Typically, flea control is an area of concern in warmer climates. However, pet owners need to be vigilant year-round regardless of the weather, because fleas and ticks can pose a problem anytime and almost anywhere.  A simple visit to the veterinarian or an appointment for pet grooming can lead to an infestation which, at its most severe, may result in costly extermination.

In cold weather, it is easy to neglect prevention issues.  After all, fleas and ticks that reside outdoors are usually killed by harsh winter weather.  But cold weather will do nothing to eliminate a parasite that has already set up residence on your dog or cat.  That is why a year-round prevention system such as Advantage Flea Control works to the pet owners’ advantage.  Not only does this product kill existing pests, but it is designed to kill new arrivals within two hours and lasts about a month.  And unlike flea collars, when used as directed, this system kills fleas before they can lay their eggs.  This benefit is easily overlooked, because the nearly invisible eggs and larvae don’t generate chilled spines the same way the sight of a flea crawling across your dogs nose does.

If the idea of using chemicals on your pet to prevent alien visitors from entering your home bothers you, it should. You have probably read the label on a bottle of flea shampoo in the past – filled with warnings about using rubber gloves to reduce exposure to the product, or sprays that warn you to avoid inhaling or coming in direct contact with the contents. That’s because Organophosphates and carbamares, two of the most common synthetic pesticides found in flea killers are nerve-paralyzing agents capable of causing convulsions, nausea, and respiratory arrest. These symptoms occur not only in the pests, but in the infested animals and in unwary humans who handle treated animals.

Natural Flea Control is a long way from becoming “everyday”, so the next best option for a frontline defense should be a minimal exposure system like Advantage.  The prescribed dosage is strategically placed in areas that your pet can’t get to and will reduce the risk of illness now and in the future, and will keep your dog or cat pest-free year-round.

Getting around in unfamiliar locations conjures up images of road maps folded and refolded to fit neatly (or not) into the glove box of the family car, along with owners manual, flash light, and pens with various amounts of dried ink in their withered carcasses.  Multi-state travelers are likely to have a large and cumbersome road atlas tucked beneath the driver seat or crammed into a forgotten corner of the trunk amid piles of rags, tools, and assorted what-not that needed to be removed from the back seat in order for the kids to fit safely in their restraints.  Any of this sound familiar?

Retiring those old standards used to be an unheard of concept.  Maps and atlases used to pass from car to car like heirlooms, promising to help a new group of drivers as they navigate the width and breadth of our nation. However, those old maps have a fundamental flaw, just as newer maps do.  You see, maps are outdated pretty much as they’re being printed.  And there are no “instant updates” available for map users.  You bought it, you own it, you deal with it.

Along comes technology – as usual – to ease the pain of those individuals who long for a better way to find their destination.  Enter Magellan Car GPS units, or more specifically, the RoadMate Series, which was designed to allow drivers to permanently retire their maps and make navigation easier.  RoadMates come in several different models and feature enhancements from one to the next.  Easily mounted to the windshield or dash, the RoadMate comes with an easy-to-read color display that allows drivers to easily see where they are and where they’re headed. But reading and driving isn’t an ideal match, as any map user will tell you.  That’s why Magellan Car GPS units also feature turn-by turn voice prompts, making finding your destination almost idiot-proof.  TrueFix technology combined with a powerful 14-channel GPS positioning helps to pinpoint locations with accuracy to within about three meters.  The turn-by-turn voice prompts guide you to your destination, and will automatically adjust directions when you deviate from your route.  You can also choose routes based on most direct, shortest overall route, or even routes that will avoid road tolls.  Select destinations by entering an address or intersection, selecting an address from the address book, touching a point on the map, or by choosing from millions of points of interest like airports, gas stations, and restaurants.

Later RoadMate models took global positioning and added luxury.  Some of the most recent models include MP3 players and photo viewers, which are options that don’t appear too high on the list of features recommended by the National Highway Safety Administration.  However, the versatility and mobility of the RoadMate unit allows for diverse uses such as these.

What the RoadMate gives to the user depends on the individual.  However, the overall positives far outweigh the negatives.  For example, the cost of an average unit is still in the $300.00 range.  This can be construed as a negative, unless you consider the benefit of never being lost again, especially in a place you’ve never been to before. And then there is the ever rising cost of fuel.  Driving in circles looking for an address is an inefficient way to burn gasoline.  Your friendly voice prompt will guide you in turn-by-turn fashion until you arrive at your destination, assuming you entered the information correctly.  The RoadMate is durable and lightweight, and will fit almost any vehicle décor.  Installation and disconnection are a snap.

What better way to assure you will always know where you’re going?  And what better way to make sure your loved ones will never find their way to the “bad side of town”?

Remember traveling with the family – not that long ago – when getting around in unfamiliar locations meant several road maps in the glove box, tucked neatly along with the owners manual and maintenance records?   Road-weary travelers were likely to have a large and cumbersome road atlas tucked beneath the driver seat or buried in the trunk, from where it could be summoned at the slightest hint of trouble.  But this was back in the days of inefficiency, before technology stepped in and delivered travelers of every kind from the dark ages.

While maps and atlases got drivers through many years and helped them arrive at their uncountable destinations, they were difficult for many people to read and understand. Then there was the problem older drivers encountered trying to read the small print.  And as maps were unfolded and refolded, they tended to wear, especially in the creases.  There were many problems associated with paper maps, and besides the obvious, the plain fact is that their information was becoming obsolete as the buyer approached the register to complete his purchase.   What was needed was something, anything that could help a driver find his way, a system that was updateable, relatively inexpensive, and reliable in varying conditions.

As luck would have it, Magellan came along and delivered the technology that travelers needed.  A Magellan GPS device could replace a nation full of maps in a small dash or windshield mounted unit.  Enter the RoadMate Series, which was designed to allow drivers to permanently retire their maps and make navigation easier.  The RoadMate comes in several different models and feature enhancements that separate one model from the next.  Easily mounted, the RoadMate comes with an easy-to-read color display that allows drivers to see where they are and where they’re headed.  To make life even easier, the Magellan RoadMate GPS units also feature turn-by turn voice prompts that make finding your destination almost idiot-proof.  TrueFix technology is combined with  powerful 14-channel GPS  capability that helps to pinpoint locations with accuracy to within about three meters.  The turn-by-turn voice prompts guide you to your destination, and will automatically adjust directions when you deviate from your route.  Users can choose routes based on the most direct, by the shortest overall route, or even by routes that will avoid road tolls.  Destinations can be selected by entering an address or intersection, touching a point on the map, or by choosing from millions of points of interest like airports, gas stations, and restaurants.

As time passed, RoadMate models began to add comfort features that had little to do with guidance and more to do with comfort.  Some of the most recent models include MP3 players and photo viewers.  How these additional features will appeal to the average user remains to be seen, but the key feature that makes this series a winner is the accuracy, which is what GPS units are all about.

What the RoadMate delivers to the individual user depends on his needs.  However, the overall positives far outweigh the negatives.  For example, the cost of an average unit is still in the $300.00 range.  This is truly a reasonable price considering the well-being that comes along with the knowledge that the user will not likely ever be lost again.  There is also the benefit of reduced gas usage, which is a common byproduct of being lost.  Your friendly voice prompt will guide you in turn-by-turn fashion until you arrive at your destination, assuming you entered the information correctly.  The RoadMate is durable and lightweight, and will fit almost any vehicle décor. Installation and disconnection are a snap.

It’s simple.  There is value to comfort and security, both of which are afforded by a solid GPS unit. The RoadMate is a Magellan GPS device that can be counted on day in and day out to give that comfort and security.

The need for direction has no boundaries.  In the mobile society we live in today, more and more people are venturing further and further from home, often to locations that they would never have imagined visiting.  Drivers in motor homes, vans, SUV’s, passenger cars, and motorcycles clog the worlds roadways with any number of travelers destined to get somewhere…anywhere, as quickly and easily as possible.

Personal GPS units, only a few years removed from being primarily thought of in terms of military and covert applications, have gained prominence as the travelers best friend and a “must have” for those who rely on getting from point A to point B for a living.  The purpose and design of these units varies by the intended use, with GPS units like the Magellan RoadMate Series specifically geared for in-vehicle global positioning.

Typical of many Magellan GPS units is the availability of handy “extras” that make carrying or using a particular model easier or more efficient.  Taken at face value, most of these items can be considered unnecessary conveniences.  For example, a wrist strap on a portable GPS may seem like a good idea, but some users may find that having this device hanging off of the wrist is aggravating, or exposes it to unexpected bumps and jolts that might conceivably damage the unit.  When exploring unfamiliar locations, smashing what could be your only way home against some rocks could be the harbinger of bad things to come.

Extras differ from necessities by functionality.  One of those so-called extras is not an extra at all.  The Magellan GPS mount is designed to keep your GPS unit stable in a position that allows for ease of use regardless of the type of vehicle or application.  Necessity or convenience?  All one needs to do is use the device to realize that a stable mount for the Magellan GPS is far from a mere convenience.

How many accidents have been caused by drivers trying to read maps or directions instead of watching the road? This is an issue that can easily be remedied with the use of one of the voice-prompt Magellan RoadMate models. But even a technologically advanced GPS like the RoadMate would be less-than useful if it ends up under the seat or rolling around on the floor.  And then there’s the cost of replacing that piece of technology.  A GPS mount that secures your unit in a safe and convenient location and allows complete use of its capabilities is almost worth as much as the unit itself.  At least it would seem to be so.

Keep in mind that the RoadMate is only one model of many, and it seems that the further you look down the line of Magellan units, the more sense it makes to have a GPS mount around.  Take the marine application as an example. While cruising the lake, you may encounter boat wakes or make sharp turns that will cause your GPS unit to take flight – literally.  And while units designed for use in the water are capable of floating for extended periods, do you really want to spend the day scouring the waters for your GPS?  Of course not.  Therefore, a Magellan GPS mount is really a no-brainer.

How important is a GPS mount?  Well, unless using the global positioning unit for hiking or other off-road applications, a mount I is almost a requirement.  By securing your Magellan, you eliminate the possibility of “accidental abuse”.  You will know where to find it when you need it, and when you are not using it, it is safely out of the way.

Most mounts are inexpensive and easy to install.  But just a word to the wise…Be sure you know where you want the unit installed.  Once you start poking holes in your cars interior, your ability to change locations for the GPS unit is drastically reduced.

Magellan GPS Navigation devices employ WAAS-enabled TrueFix™ technology and 14 parallel channels (most units use 12) to provide precise position fixes and improved tracking.  Thorough satellite coverage insures global reliability and speedy signal acquisition.

Magellan units are either vehicle based or hand held.  Each model has its own niche, and potential users can be defined by their needs.  For over the road applications, the RoadMate series was developed and has been refined to represent the most recent advancements in GPS technology.  For off road use, the Explorist models have been around since the beginning and employ state of the art guidance.  But whichever unit boasts the most appealing options, it is a safe bet that the Magellan GPS will not easily disappoint its user.

The Magellan Explorist GPS series encompasses all portable models going back to the 200 series.  They are basically the same in size and shape, but vary in color and capabilities.  Depending on the model number, these pint-sized units are packed with exciting features both novice and experienced navigators will appreciate.  Their compact size makes them an ideal take-along companion for any trip and the rubber-armored, impact-resistant casing is made to withstand the most rugged outdoor conditions.  Pocket sized convenience with superb reliability, the Explorist is a “must have” for hikers.

The RoadMate series is a vehicle based model that makes finding your way around town easy, using Magellan GPS Navigation commonly found in other models and improving display properties, available information, and map detail to make these devices a product worthy of the attention they receive.  Easy to use command keys and high contrast displays allow drivers to easily see where they are and where they’re going.  Voice prompt turn-by-turn directions assist the display in delivering directions to the driver, and become a safety feature in high traffic areas or during inclement weather.  As far as looks go, the RoadMate series is intended to fit nicely with almost any vehicle interior design.

Whether the intended use is in vehicle or in the wild, Magellan GPS Navigation is reliable and easy to use.  Over time, these units have been refined to accentuate the best possible features of each unit.  For example, as Explorist models have come of age, their mapping capabilities and display screens have improved, so that the latest models barely resemble the earlier ones.  The same is true with the RoadMate, which has not only added sophisticated mapping and display features over time, but has also thrown in multi-media capabilities to give users that little something extra.

The nice thing about Magellan GPS devices is that, if price is an object, potential buyers can find some diversity. Units that are the highest priced are usually the newest most current models, or the ones that offer the most technologically advanced options.  For shoppers who don’t want to spend a lot of cash or are operating on a tight budget, less advanced models are usually available at substantial savings.  This makes Magellan GPS Navigation available to almost anyone who wants or needs it.

It really doesn’t matter what the intended use is, going with a Magellan GPS is a smart plan for finding your way around.  It pays to know where you are and where you’re going and any Magellan GPS unit will do the job for you. The investment is nominal by comparison considering the amount of information you will be able to carry in the palm of your hand, or have mounted in your vehicle at arms length.

The Magellan GPS Pioneer eventually became the GPS 300, and was one of the earliest in a long line of Magellan models.  It’s a 12-channel GPS receiver that uses its quadrifilar antenna to lock on to satellites for accurate positioning in all kinds of terrain. View your navigation information on any of three graphic screens with a powerful backlight for dim conditions.  PC compatible for downloading additional map data using optional CD-ROM.  Rugged, affordable, and pocket sized, the Magellan GPS 300 will mark your location to within about 15 yards or better.  Two AA batteries will power the unit for about 20 hours.

This GPS receiver is perfectly suitable for situations where high precision isn’t required.  It is still a fairly accurate unit, provided there is plenty of open sky above for signal acquisition.  Users will have little trouble finding significant locations, like a house or cabin in the woods. The compass feature will allow you to track the direction you are traveling, and the unit will help you to return to within about 20 yards of your chosen location. More modern receivers can get you closer, but are not required for this application.  And the difference in cost is significant.

Other GPS features include 100 waypoints, one reversible route with multiple stops, and a trip odometer that tells you how far you’ve traveled so you can estimate the time you need to start back. Distance, bearing, heading, direction, steering, speed, time to go, elevation, and satellite elevation are all displayed on the high-resolution LCD screen. Tough rubber armoring protects this unit in the field, and waterproofing allows it to float. The Pioneer also features weather-proof construction make the unit a reliable GPS receiver under any conditions.

When judging this unit, the cost versus options is probably the most significant argument.  Even when new, the unit was relatively inexpensive; however, it was limited in capabilities.  For finding ones way around in fairly open areas on relatively flat ground, it proved useful.  However, more demanding tasks will fall beyond its capabilities. With that being said, this seems to be an ideal tool for someone without great demands or a lot of spendable income.

One feature that will appeal to novice and experienced users alike is the ETA function.  If you have stored a previous point in the unit’s memory, you can get an estimated time of arrival from wherever you are with the unit back to that stored point.  This can prove to be a valuable tool if you are meeting someone, for business or otherwise.  Having the knowledge that you’ll be in a certain place at a certain time will certainly help eliminate the guess work and will give users some degree of confidence in knowing where they are based on time of travel from point-to-point.

While the Magellan GPS 300 is an older generation GPS unit and no longer in production, finding one will be worth the work.  This is especially true for those just breaking into the world of GPS ownership.  Unless your needs are complicated, cheap is a good way to go.  And an older, discontinued model seems like a good place to get your feet wet.  However, make sure you know what you want out of your GPS receiver.  If you want a unit that talks you through traffic and tells you when to turn in advance of your exit on the freeway, you will have wasted your money – inexpensive or not.

The market abounds with more current and much fancier GPS units, and most have an abundance of options that highlight the shortcomings of the earliest models.  But there is something to be said for this easy, affordable, uncomplicated GPS option.  Pocket-sized, with a clear and back lit display for easy reading regardless of light conditions, the Magellan GPS Pioneer is an easy choice for the novice, or the experienced trekker.

Starting back in the early 1960’s, the U.S. military began working on the idea of a single, all-weather, continuously available, and highly accurate global positioning system.  Obviously, this was well before the now familiar acronym “GPS” was ever muttered by the average human.  More than two decades would pass before Magellan would roll out the first of many GPS models that are now make navigation easier than ever before.

It’s possible that the popularity of hand-held GPS devices was boosted by the First Gulf War, a conflict that doubled as one of our first reality shows that introduced the American car buying public to the behemoth known as the Hummer, and set the stage for a debacle now known as the Second Gulf War.  As the country became fascinated with the technology that danced across their television screens, they couldn’t help but bear witness to the birth of the phenomenon that would eventually guide them through traffic, over hills, and across lakes.

The earliest of the Magellan GPS products seem primitive now when compared to the multi-media units that propagate the market.  The concept of getting from point A to point B has long been surpassed by routing and rerouting, plotting of complicated trips, and audio and video capabilities that seem oddly out of sync with the original plan for these devices.  But since their popularity hasn’t waned, it can be assumed that these changes haven’t hurt.

The advances in chip technology over the years has allowed for the massive advancements in unit ability.  While the earliest 300 series handhelds had barely enough memory to maintain a handful of locations, the later models can handle hundreds of times more, and can plot and route between all of them.  Landmark features allow units to store commonly requested information like gas station and ATM locations – among others.  Where this is most apparent is in the RoadMate series, the Magellan automobile global positioning unit.  The color screen, turn-by-turn voice prompting, and birds-eye viewing is just the tip of the technology iceberg.  There is enough left in these units – especially the newer models – that drivers can view photos and listen to their favorite music directly from their RoadMate.  While it may seem like overkill, imagine how unlikely these concepts were back in the early 1960’s, or even in the launch year of 1989.

Over the years, dozens of different Magellan models have made it to the streets and trails, with each new incarnation surpassing the last, by employing the newsy cutting edge GPS and chip technology.  Improved computer interfacing increased the ability of users to download and upload map and trip information, and allows users to add entire countries to their personal databases.  Of course, this just adds to the global popularity of the tool, and increases the potential market for these products.

The hardware itself has improved also.  In the early days, accuracy was dependent on many factors, and flat ground was the almost required for a relatively good position fix.  Signal acquisition was also subject to interference from trees and clouds.  But more satellites and more powerful receivers have given users the accuracy and signal strength they need to get within a few feet of dead-on.  This alone is primarily responsible for the success of the RoadMate unit, which depends on accuracy to instruct drivers when and where to turn with enough time to maneuver safely.

The one thing that has been a constant is the durable and rugged construction of all Magellan units.  From the basic Pioneer model on up, Magellan has made sturdy and weather resistant cases that are designed to take a fair beating with little or no side effects.  This may not seem important for a RoadMate model, but for hikers and boaters, the elements can pose a real threat.  The comfort of knowing that a Magellan can “swim” may make hitting the trails a little less stressful.

It can be a dizzying proposition; trying to decide what the most important feature is when comparing personal GPS systems.  There are plenty of features to decide on, depending on how sophisticated a buyer wants to get.  And in reality, the decision may be more towards what the user plans on doing with it than anything else.  However, bells and whistles definitely attract the buyer’s eye, regardless of the product, and cost sometimes takes a back seat to glitz.

When it comes down to basics, personal GPS systems can be divided by primary application.  There is the hand held, and the vehicle mounted devices.  So there…that was pretty basic.  Magellan has produced a long line of product models that fall into one of these two basic categories, although the delineation between models and application can sometimes be a little blurry.  Hand held models can work “in vehicle”, and some of the “in vehicle” models are capable of being used outside the vehicle.  But just because it’s capable doesn’t necessarily mean that it should.  These devices may seem semi-interchangeable, but they were engineered with specific uses in mind, and the user will find that staying with the initial intent will keep the performance of their unit well within their expectations.

Expectations can be tricky.  Some people look at GPS units as toys that can help them pass the time while boating or driving to familiar locations, while others depend on their GPS to keep them from getting lost in the woods or on unfamiliar roadways.  Depending on which of these categories users fall into, it’s safe to assume their expectations may differ widely.  But for the most part, anyone laying down good money on a GPS device of any significance is probably expecting to use it for its intended purpose sooner or later.  And when the unit is called upon to do its job, it should perform as well as it was designed to, which means that a user will probably not have patience to wait for his device to acquire a signal or look for a clearing to get an unimpeded shot at the navigational satellites that furnish information to the unit.

The Magellan GPS Receiver has developed over time to be as accurate as any on the market.  And while some reviews of various models may site acquisition times or signal strength as reasons for concern, the overall performance of most Magellan models compares favorably with comparable competitor models.  Optional antenna boosters can help Magellan units speed up their performance and accuracy, and other technological advances in hardware and software have made Magellan a leader in the personal GPS marketplace.  For example, for units with pre-loaded map software, users can spot locations anywhere in the United States the minute they bust open the box.  No memory cards are required.  And computer interface software allows users to update information by way of a USB connection.

There are so many things to consider that it becomes easy to get confused.  It would be a good idea for the GPS customer to thoroughly examine his needs and expectations before taking the plunge.  If the unit is going to be used for kicking around, more like a toy, then cheap and less powerful would do just fine.  But if there is the potential that someone’s well being could be at stake, spending a little more to get the most powerful receiver is worth the investment.  And accessorizing to make that device even better would be money well spent.

With options ranging from additional mapping capabilities all the way up to MP3 players and photo displays, many consumers will find it difficult to stick with their original plan.  But what’s the worst that could happen? Besides, the world is full of $500.00 toys.