Which GPS Navigation System is Right For You?
GPS navigation systems are one of the handiest automobile gadgets since the remote car starter and keyless entry. Sure, you could live without one but once you’ve got it you’re a convert for life. The tricky part of buying a GPS navigation system is knowing which features you really need. Some come decked out with all the bells and whistles while other is more standard issue devices. Here we help you navigate through the available choices in order to choose the right GPS for you.
City Driver or Road Trip Explorer
Obviously your first order of business when deciding on a GPS navigation system is to decide in what capacity you’ll most be using it. From there it’s much easier to define needed features and extras you’ll be paying extra for and not using.
If the main purpose of your new GPS unit will be to simply navigate the city you live in chances are a basic, less costly model will suit your needs. Basic models come pre-loaded with maps of the United States and offer alternate routes when you find yourself stuck in traffic. Most also come with pre-loaded points of interest so you can find local restaurants and stores. While the deluxe models offer a whopping 6 million plus points of interest the standard models should have what you need providing you live in a large enough city to warrant inclusion.
By comparison, those that do a lot of travelling, be it for business or family vacations, will likely enjoy the beefed up features of the higher end GPS navigation systems. Boasting millions of points of interest you’ll be able to find gas stations, hotels, shopping malls and family attractions with ease.
The amount of maps pre-loaded onto your GPS unit can also have a large impact on its usefulness. The deluxe models offer you detailed, city and road maps of the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Perfect for those that love to explore a large portion of North America and maybe their favorite vacation destination as well.
Also those who spend a great deal of time on the road may enjoy those little extra features such as Bluetooth capabilities, hands-free talking, MP3 players and audio book readers all built into their GPS navigation system. These luxury items may be unnecessary for shorter, in city travelling so be sure you really want these features before shelling out money for them.
Display and Tracking
When you really get down to it there are two features which are an absolute must in any GPS unit—good GPS tracking and a good, readable display screen. While many GPS units have upgraded to an easy to read 4.3 inch screen there are still cheaper models only offering a 3.5 inch screen. All models do come with turn by turn voice commands but the size of the display screen may be a feature you want to consider for those times when you do have to look at the display unit quickly and read directions.
Of course what would a GPS unit be without high quality GPS tracking? Surprisingly one of the cheaper models boasts the quickest GPS location locking. When it comes to performance all units reviewed seemed to receive a passing grade when it came to giving location and driving directions of desired destinations.
Below are the three units we reviewed along with their pros and cons. Remember, get the best dollar value by only buying GPS units that offer features you’ll really use. If that means you want all the bells and whistles wonderful but don’t overpay for features you won’t use.
Garmin Nuvi 660: Price $299.99
This is generally viewed as the Cadillac of GPS navigation systems. It comes fully pre-loaded with detailed city and road maps of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico as well as over 6 million points of interest. This model also features Bluetooth technology, hands-free calling, MP3 playing and audio book reading capabilities. It comes equipped with a larger 4.3 inch display screen.
Magellan Maestro 3100: Price $142.00
This basic model comes pre-loaded with maps of the continental United States only. It does boast the fastest GPS locating system as well as SmartDetour technology to get you out of traffic jams faster. It locates 750,000 points of interest but does not offer Bluetooth or hands-free technology. One drawback is this model sports the smaller 3.5 inch display screen.
Tom Tom One XL: Price $139.00
Sporting a 4.3 inch display screen this GPS navigation system is pre-loaded with maps of both the United States and Canada. It does offer Bluetooth technology for its subscriber based services but does not have hands-free capability. It is described as coming loaded with “thousands” of points of interest but the exact number is not disclosed. As with the other two models above it does offer turn by turn voice commands.
