Drive Gps

GPS Review – What to look for

It is more than difficult to find a good review on the Internet GPS. The reason is this: all GPS devices do the same. Indicating its location on an electronic map, and then show you how to get where you're going. Now, for the GPS device I mean a device GPS car is purchased separately from your car and either hang from a bracket on your windshield, or put your hand on the seat.

Thus, the key to a review GPS good understanding of the features offered by different GPS devices in every price point.

Do not all GPS devices have in common?

All GPS devices on the market today have a touch screen where you can enter information into the unit, such as your destination address. All auto-calculate the route to that address, and all give verbal instructions of some kind while driving to your destination. Besides, virtually all GPS devices come pre-loaded with maps, usually at least the continental United States, have an internal battery for emergency use, and may switch between 2D and 3D map views. View (3D gives you a bit more realistic than they should be seeing in front of you.)

There are exceptions to these rules, but almost all are in older models.

Who are the industry leaders?

There three main manufacturers of GPS systems, Garmin, Magellan and Tom Tom.

Garmin sells about one in two of all GPS systems sold worldwide. They are known for making a quality product. Magellan was the leader in GPS systems that can be routed to more than one destination. They have nearly the market share that has Garmin. Tom Tom is a delay that is fast. According to Tom Tom, your GPS system, the Tom Tom One, is the most sold in the world.

What are the main features to look for in a GPS system?

In this review of GPS, let's start at the cheap end and work our way up.

You can buy a system GPS for under $ 200. The Garmin Nuvi 200 and Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition now sold for under $ 200 on Amazon.

As prices rise, the characteristics main can be added are

Voice messages that actually say the street name

Cheaper GPS devices just tell where to turn. They say something like: "Turn right here." A good feature to consider is that the GPS device actually say the street name of the road you need to turn. So instead of "Turn right here," a better GPS system would say, "Turn right onto Highland Avenue," or "Turn left at the entrance to I-95." devices with spoken street names usually start around $ 300.

Another feature to look for is real-time traffic and weather capacity

Would not it be great if your GPS device could not only tell you how to drive in Atlanta, Georgia to Charlotte, North Carolina, but could alert the traffic conditions at the wrong time to take a detour? Well, many of the most expensive units might. How does the GPS know what traffic is like later? GPS devices that have this capacity are tuned to either an FM or frequency of satellite radio broadcasts this information. If your device has this feature then usually come with a free trial subscription to this service. After that, it will cost, but the cost is quite low, especially taking into account the usefulness of real-time traffic. Along with real-time traffic usually comes weather in real time – an added bonus.

Any of the lovers of the Garmin nuvi 350 to have the FM traffic capacity. The nuvi 350 runs a little under $ 300 at Amazon. If you want a path that Magellan withholding, you pay $ 300 to $ 350. All Tom Tom have this capability, including the Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition, which is one of cheaper units on the market, currently running about $ 200.

Do you regularly use your cell phone while driving?

I know I do. It is problematic to hold a cell phone in one hand and negotiate their way through heavy traffic in a busy interchange. If your phone compatible with Bluetooth technology you can get a GPS receiver with the same capacity and actually use it to make and receive calls. You can answer an incoming call with just the touch screen. You make an outgoing call by entering the number on your GPS touch screen keyboard or by accessing the stored numbers in the device – downloaded from your phone when you first set up your receiver. So now, instead of using the Bluetooth headset that looks stupid and a member the Borg Collective, you can enjoy your GPS device to a dual role. If you make a lot of calls while driving, this is definitely a feature you need to think.

As for what Bluetooth will run to you, the Garmin Nuvi 360 is the lowest price the Bluetooth model. Currently sells for little more $ 300. Almost all high-end products with Bluetooth. Two of the Magellan Maestro series, the 3250 and the widescreen version, the 4250 has Bluetooth. They run about $ 280 and $ 350 respectively. The Tom Tom GO series Bluetooth. They run anywhere from $ 350 to $ 900.

Multi-destination routing

No is something I use much, but it's definitely worth knowing. Multi-destination routing means you can enter multiple routes to your GPS at a time and calculate the best route that includes all its destinations.

Garmin nuvi 700 Series does this, and a couple of his series StreetPilot. Most of the Magellan Maestro series does this – that can be programmed to store up to 20 different destinations. As for Tom Tom GO 510 can store up to 15 routes. As for prices, nuvi 700 run anywhere from mid $ 400 to nearly $ 700. The Magellan is a little less expensive, ranging from the mid $ 200 in the mid-$ 300. The 510 will cost just under $ 500 at Amazon in now. The voice directions, Bluetooth, and multi-destination path are three of the most important features to consider.

Also, want to keep mind maps which comes with your device. And almost as important, how many pre-programmed points of interest are included in its database.

Points of Interest

(PDI) are the names, addresses and phone numbers of possible destinations, anything from the nearest Starbucks to Yellowstone National Park. The lower priced units come with less than 1 million points of interest. That's not enough, you're going to use this feature. For use outside their normal routes, you want a few million POIs. Virtually all GPS devices now come with this, except the lowest prices of models like the Garmin nuvi 200, with only regional maps and less than 1 million points of interest. (There is nothing wrong with the fewest points of interest, if you're not planning on that need, but it sure can be useful.)

Another feature to consider is the size of the screen. The standard size is 3.5 inches. This is measured in diagonal. So the display to the Garmin 270, for example, measures 2.8 "by 2.1". The measure 4.3-inch widescreen diagonal. Actually are receiving 70% more screen this way.

Why is the screen size important?

It has to do with the ease and security use while driving. Personally, I like a wide screen, but again, my car is quite large and has a large windshield. The price difference between a normal screen and wide screen is about $ 80. That could be money well spent. On the other hand, if you drive a smaller vehicle with an area lower windscreen, the wider screen could be more of a hazard than a safety feature.

Currently in the Amazon, Nuvis Garmin (his new product line) range from $ 179 for the Garmin 200 and $ 699 for the nuvi 770. Magellan's teachers are running from $ 168 for 3100 to $ 356 for widescreen 4250. The Tom Tom GPS systems currently priced at just under $ 200 for the Tom Tom One, 3rd Edition, at $ 899 for the GO 700 (which is expensive).

Whatever you do, do not procrastinate. Even with a good GPS review, with all these confusing options is tempting to just wait for whatever the next model will be. What you need to do is a lot less stress while driving! Imagine, if you are a kind of power always (really) know where you are despite what his wife or girlfriend, he says. And better yet, if you are a woman who will not have to bother your husband or boyfriend to stop at the local gas station and admit they are lost – Not an easy admission for a man. (That I know!)

About the Author

To read more great GPS Reviews, check out my website.

Lee Cole is a true GPS enthusiast! Take a look at his website to find out more information!

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