A car GPS is essential for car owners. Anyone who owns a car and who wants to get rid of the inconveniences of paper maps and asking for directions, this is the perfect device for you. There are however so many different devices to choose from. If you want one that is just perfect for you then you need to pick one carefully. Here are some GPS shopping tips. Find Out Your Needs and Preferences GPS systems give you directional information. Different devices however tend to do so in different ways. If you predict that you will mostly be using your unit in your car, then you could opt for a car mounted GPS. Car Purposes - Some people however may need GPS devices that can be used both in cars and out of cars. In this case, a portable device would be perfect. If you have your own palm top, you can also decide to get a flash or Bluetooth receiver instead. Check the Features Feature Options - GPS devices can have limited or a lot of features. You would have to get the unit with features that you can actually use and appreciate. Among the first features you should check are those for navigation. Customized Instructions - Aside from the usual maps, you might also be interested in such features as user customized instructions, voice instructions, map storage capacity and instant map updates. Other additional features may include movie player, MP3 player, backlight and heavy duty rechargeable batteries. Test Ease of Use Not every car GPS device is easy to manipulate or understand. Take the time to actually test a unit and find out if it is something you can be comfortable with. Of course, first time users may find it a challenge at first. There are some units though which you naturally feel incapable of operating. Usually, the portable units are less easy to manage than mounted ones. The compact features of portable devices simply make it difficult for manufacturers to incorporate user friendly features. Compare as Many Models as Possible The number of GPS devices available makes it impossible for one shop to carry all. You should however, take pains not to get stuck with a unit simply because there are no other units on display. A GPS system is a major purchase so make sure you take a good look around before settling for a device. One great way to compare unit features and prices is to look online. The internet is likely to hold nearly every imaginable model. A car GPS is truly worth buying. You never have to get lost again with the right GPS unit in your car.
If you've been comparing car GPS units, you may have already noticed just how complicated it can be to find one that's right for you, no matter how tech-savvy you might be. Hopefully, after reading this article, you'll be a bit more well informed about what you need to know to find the perfect unit for you and your budget.
If you haven't already been shopping around, you may not know that all car GPS units essentially do the same thing: they show you where you are and tell you how to get to where you're going. They also all come with a variety of pre-programmed destinations, called POIs (or, Points of Interest) to make getting where you need to be even easier. All you need is a finger, because all car GPS units utilize touch screen technology.
What makes finding the perfect one for you so complicated is all the extra features manufacturers are including in their products to meet market competition. Before you get too overwhelmed, let's talk about these manufacturers and compare the products they're making.
Although several companies produce car GPS units, I'd suggest sticking with the top three: Magellan, Garmin, and Tom Tom. Sure, there are other companies, like Lowrance, Mio, and Pharos. But all these other companies are competing for only 10% of the U.S. market. It may be a personal thing, but I've always liked to go with industry winners. Certainly other companies are making quality products, but I like to know that my purchase will be supported year to year.
Magellan was one of the original companies to start manufacturing GPS devices. With a great company name and a wide selection of products, Magellan is a good choice. I really like their Maestro series, which ranges in price from $150 to $350. You can get a Maestro 3100 for less than $150. That's not their best buy, though. If you just want an entry level GPS, then Garmin's nuvi 200 is probably a better bet. Magellan's best buy is their Maestro 4250, which can do everything Garmin's competing product can, but for $50 less.
Magellan also has a great deal for AAA members that makes the AAA Tour Book available right inside the device. Of course, you must be a member, but if you're a frequent traveler, it's an excellent deal.
With almost 50% of the total market, Garmin is the industry leader. A basic Garmin, the nuvi 200, costs only $150. However, if you're looking to spend a lot more, you can purchase the 880 model, which includes a lot of extra features, for around $1,000. There are no real competitors at the high end of the market place, that is for automotive GPS systems.
Catching up to Garmin is Tom Tom, a company that offers a great selection of products at very competitive prices. For example, what you'd pay for Garmin's basic nuvi 200 could also get you Tom Tom's One 3rd Edition, which has a lot of extra cool features. Tom Tom's GO series has more features and is a direct competitor with Garmin. Tom Tom is currently taking market share from Garmin by offering more features at a smaller price. Tom Tom is no slouch as a company, either. They totally dominate the European market!
Whether you want to spend a lot or a little, comparing car GPS units can be tricky. Continue checking out informative websites so you can find the system that's right for you and won't break your budget.
Both Kaye Fretz & Lee Cole are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Kaye Fretz has sinced written about articles on various topics from Hoodia, Gardening and Shopping. Learn more about the practical uses of . Select the best. Kaye Fretz's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
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