Five Things to Consider Before Buying a GPS System 2
Should I just use my cell phone's GPS feature, or is it worth splurging for a factory-installed GPS in my new car or a high-end portable navi unit?
It used to be a clear decision: To get a feature-rich, accurate, and user-friendly GPS navigation system, you had to spring for a factory-installed model, which is conveniently built into the dashboard of a car either by the manufacturer when you buy a new car, or by an after-market specialist. While built-in factory-installed navi systems still beat their portable brethren with certain features – large, easy-to-read-and-navigate screens, thorough travel info, and seamless integration with the rest of your car's audio -- the gap between the two is not nearly as wide as it was just two or three years ago. For one thing, many portable standalone GPS units now offer turn-by-turn directions with actual street names, robust local travel information (gas stations, parking, restaurants, etc) that's integrated into maps, and live travel updates, while even some cell-phone-based devices offer instant route recalculation if you miss a turn.
Given the potential similarity in features that's available in all three types of GPS navi units, we think it ultimately boils down to money. If you've got the money, we suggest a factory-installed system since it's optimized for your car and will integrate nicely with the dashboard (there's nothing uglier than a big cord hanging down from a big bulky portable GPS navi system stuck to your windshield).
But say you have more than one car, or an old car – in that case, we'd suggest getting one of the high-quality portable systems available from manufacturers such as Garmin, TomTom, Sony, Panasonic, Pioneer, and LG, among many others, as these generally offer you all the features you could get on pricier factory-installed systems, but cost less and can be used in more than one car (entry level $200 units give you basic directions, but lack features such as real-time traffic updates, extensive travel info, and can be slow to recalculate routes).
Cell phone GPS services are perfect for those who travel a lot and need quick directions in a pinch while occasionally in an out-of-town location, but not so good for, say, a traveling sales rep, who would benefit from the generally easier-to-use and more accurate portable systems.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
PEPPER @ Jul 30th 2008 7:49AM
If I have become so feeble minded that I have to rely on a GPS to get from A to Z then I should not be allowed on public streets. Soon we will need a GPS to find our way to the craper! For GOD'S sake people use your little pea brain it can be fun!
ajsm2008 @ Jul 31st 2008 3:09PM
THANK YOU!!! Nobody bothers to use their brains anymore!!! Come on, how hard is it to read and ask for directions!!
mcsmith @ Jul 30th 2008 8:35AM
I have a TOM TOM and I love him... he takes me everywhere i need to go...
susie arcuni @ Jul 30th 2008 10:18AM
For the first time ever, I'm commenting to something on line. My comment wasn't posted so I guess I didn't do it correctly. Perhaps my response will be printed. A friend recommended I buy the CoPilot GPS which is manufactured by ALK Technologies in Princeton, NJ as well as in London. I tried so many of these products including the Garmin which I found to be not accurate and basically junky. The CoPilot is fantastic,I can't rave about it enough! No, I don't work for this company. It's smaller and doesn't do the advertising the other big co.'s can do but they, believe me (although I don't know why you should) are better. Try it!
jay @ Jul 30th 2008 1:48PM
I used to think you guys were really good techs. Unfortunately this page shows me you guys no nothing about some of the subjects you write on. Why the heck would anyone recomend a factory installed GPS system these days. Let's look at the negatives:
1. Can not be programmed with your own POI's so you're stuck with what the factory unit has.
2. Map Updates and such are 2x to 3x more expensive than a portable unit.
3. Updates are released less frequently than portable units.
4. I'm not aware of any factory unit that offers real time connectivity to information such as traffic or internet business searches. This information changes quite often in some areas of the country. Being able to retrieve the latest information from the internet is a huge bonus over a factory installed unit.
5. Initial cost of a factory unit is hugely more than a portable device and goes with the car when you sell it or turn it back in after lease.
6. Hardware on a factory installed unit can't be updated. Considering how fast the GPS market has changed and all the new features that keep coming out. In three years your factory installed unit will look like a dinosaur and still cost you a fortune for map updates. I know several people with expensive cars and factory GPS units that went out and bought portable units because they were 1/2 the cost in many cases than updating their 2 or 3 year old factory software.
Diana @ Jul 30th 2008 1:57PM
I recently bought a tom-tom and I absolutely love it. Wouldn't travel without it. On routes I already knew I found better routes and it is great if you get lost.
DENNIS I. @ Jul 30th 2008 2:24PM
Buy the factory installed models & keep the $ here.
Angela @ Jul 31st 2008 6:19AM
I have a Garmin, & I wouldn't go anywhere without it now. I originally bought it to move cross-country (MI to AZ). The Garmin never steered me wrong. Now that the internal battery is dying (2 years later), I just return it to Garmin for a free fix and they also update the map for free! Saves another $100 for the map program!
conor @ Aug 2nd 2008 3:20PM
psp with gps kit and car mount.
Jo @ Oct 17th 2008 5:39AM
Cell phones can fail in areas not reached by the signal, then you have to reprogram it to your destination and there is a cost for the roaming charges when applicable. I use Navigon and have found it to be a worthwhile investment. You don't have to worry about street signs in the dark (or missing) and you can request it bring you home from where ever you are. You don't have to worry about street numbers, either. Mine brings me right to where I programmed it to go. I can enter my own POI, also,