Why do you put a memory chip in a GPS?

Question

What I mean is, what is the purpose? What information can you put on the chip? Is it for directions, music, pictures? Do you have to use a certain kind of chip? Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

GPS receivers can have their memory expanded with either an SD or microSD card.  The card type depends on the model.  More maps, points of interest, tracks, roues, photos, and music can be put on these cards.

Answer 2

It really depends on the device you are using.  You can store any files you like on the memory card, but the device might not read it.  Some PND's are able to play mp3's and show pictures, but some aren't.  Some units will read only the internal memory or the SD card and some will read both.

I can tell you about tomtoms specifically.  The GO x20 and x30 units will read both the internal memory and the SD card at the same time, while all the other units will only read one or the other.  Also only the GO units will let you play mp3's and view pictures.

With any unit that has a memory card slot, you can use a memory card for extra maps.

As far as the type of SD card, I can tell you tomtoms will only work with standard SD cards, not HD or HC.