GPS Navigation System the Best Systems Reviews
If you are looking for a GPS navigation system then here are some tips and reviews of some of the best available in the market from nextar garmin and tomtom for your car or as a truly portable device.
A GPS navigation system is something most people on the move in their car may have built into their dashboard already although most purchased from shops are portable so you can use them on the move. Vehicle navigation systems sometimes rely on bluetooth technology and the prices of these items are continually falling so cheap GPS systems can also sometimes be the best to buy.
What is GPS – Global Positioning Satellites ?
GPS was first invented and used by the US army and there are now 27 GPS satellites orbiting the earth and are positioned so that at any one time at least 4 are available and visible for commercial use. The navigation systems need 3 of these to determine where you are on earth and then the software can calculate everything else required such as journey times and most favored route.
GPS Navigation System Reviews
There are hundreds of GPS navigation systems on the market – here are a few that can be used in the car or as a handheld portable device.
Mapquest Navigator Iphone App
This is the newest version of the Mapquest navigator for the Iphone as a downloadable app which is a voice guided navigational system with 2D and 3D moving maps and live traffic information provided by INRIX. It also incorporates AOL city guides with local listings and ratings for restaurants for the top 40 cities in the US.
You can also find the lowest gas prices for diesel or petrol.
The app can be downloaded from the Apple store and costs a mere $3.99 for a one month trial and then it’s $3.99 per month, $9.99 for three months or $29.99 for a whole year’s subscription. Although this is designed for in car use you can also use it as a portable device.
Under $200 – Garmin Nuvi 205
One of the most popular navigation systems under $200 is the Gamin Nuvi 205 GPS which receives between 4 and 5 star ratings on all the consumer review sites. It can have either a standard or widescreen format and has maps for all the US but not Canada. Most Garmin systems are incredibly easy to use and this has a 3.5 inch or 4.3 inch screen, a “where am I” emergency feature and FM or MSN traffic. It is light weight at just 5.2 oz, can fit into a shirt pocket, lasts up to 4 hours on its lithium battery and has touch screen technology. Although the RRP of this system is $209.99 you can get it for under $120 at Amazon.
Between $250 and $500 – TomTom GO 920T
The TomTom GO 920T GPS navigation system has pre loaded maps for the US and an additional 41 countries in Europe and earns rave reviews. There is also the advanced 930T which includes lane guidance. Although the RRP of this was originally $699 you can get it for less than $250 if you search around. It’s a widescreen 4.3 inch includes traffic information and bluetooth capabilities. The screen offers 2D or 3D maps and has voice commands. The battery should last around 5 hours and has remote control access. It also has enhanced positioning technology so that if you go into a tunnel where there is not GPS signals it senses the car acceleration and estimates how far you are travelling. Other systems such as the Garmin Nuvi mentioned above normally just say “satellite signal lost” and kind of give up. It’s a neat feature but generally you know you are in a tunnel and when you are out the system picks up your new signal in any case. The traffic information option will cost more after the one year free trial.
So that’s a review of three GPS navigation system devices. Let us know what you use and if you have any thoughts of those above.
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