Five Things to Consider Before Buying a GPS System
GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation devices -- those talking screens with maps that give you real-time directions to wherever you're going (as you're going there) -- used to be the province of the well-to-do with high-end cars. But nowadays, real-time navigation technology is available for all budgets in all sorts of shapes, sizes and feature packages. So which type of GPS is for you? Should you spend a mere $2.99 to get directions on your cell phone or splurge up to $500 for a high-end portable? Are factory-installed navigation systems you get with a new car better than a standalone portable? Do you really need an MP3 player with your traffic directions? For answers to these questions and more, check out the five things to consider before you buy a GPS, which we've organized by the most commonly asked questions on the following pages (click below to get to tip number 1).
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ill123now @ Jul 30th 2008 9:28AM
GPS IS COOL. ECONOMY IS DOWN, CRIME IS UP, PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY, WWW.YOUBSAFE.COM
Lovegrace45 @ Jul 30th 2008 11:23AM
I have GPS TOMTOM and I like the way it looks, and the cord does not bother me in the least. These days products keep changing getting better then the last. Its hard to keep up with the newest gadgets. TomTom GPS will hang with me for a while. Since I can not keep up with the Jone's or even trying to I'm going to make due with what I have.
AUDON TRUJILLO @ Jul 30th 2008 12:17PM
The most important thing for me as a realtor (aside from does the GPS actually navagate me to the proper address ....i.e. are recent roads/addresses updated) is can the GPS system OPTIMIZE the addresses I insert so that I can travel the least amount of distance. So when I plug in 5 addresses the system will "optimize" and show me which address to go to first..second and so on.
Dick Cobus @ Jul 30th 2008 1:56PM
Do NOT buy any Cobra equipment. They do not support updating their software or maps. I have a 2750. Not worth the paper to purchase it. Contacted they several times not luck.
paul @ Jul 30th 2008 2:25PM
I have been in the mobile electronics industry for over 5 years. If you are looking to purchase a product that is quality and that will actually get you when you want to go, I would recommend only the Garmin navigation for the portable GPS units, for the fact of the ease of use for users. By which I mean the "search all" option. Other GPS' require either the city name or zip code. Garmin does not. Garmin only requires the State name. I live in Baltimore County, not Baltimore City, MD. And we consider everything in the County or City "Baltimore". The units themselves will not find the address you are looking for with an improper city name. Garmin saved you that step of having to know every piece of information. As long as you know a street number and name it will find it. As far as in-dash navigation they are all fairly good. I would prefer the Kenwood Navigation just because they paired up with Garmin for there navigation software. But for the most pair the units are designed better than the portable units. And they give you more features that you may want or use. Such as HD Radio, Satellite Radio(XM or Sirius), Bluetooth, Real-Time Traffic Updates, Ipod Connectivity, USB Input, Extreme Control over the sound of your system with a very detailed graphic equalizer, SD Card Reader, HDD(Hard Disk Drive) Navigation(Where you can store music on the unit itself and the maps are not on a DVD Map Disc), Rear Camera Input(to view what is behind you before backing up(for larger SUV's)), DVD Player, MP3, AAC, WMA, The RDS feature where it will show artist name and song title information from your local radio stations.
Tom @ Jul 31st 2008 11:07PM
Dollar for dollar, the TomTom has turned out to be the best GPS for me. I tried two different Garmin's and 3 different Magellan's. Then went to two different TomTom's. I settled on the TomTom 720 because it is the most accurate navigation system of all the brands I tried. It regularly updates with the latest GPS and road information and satellite signals, it allows you to submit any changes you recommend and it has (for me, at least) the most accurate way to get from point A to point B, listing all of the roads, freeways and streets I need to get there. I cannot say that about the Garmin or the Magellan GPS's. The only wish I have would be for the Magellan windshield mount to be on the TomTom; nothing else would I change though.
sej @ Jul 30th 2008 2:30PM
I regret overusing my factory installed GPS (loved it so much, I used it for taking me to places I knew how to get to!) ... I am told the computer failed and it will cost $2,000 (that's right two thousand dollars) to replace. I tried a local aftermarket car audio installation business. They said they could not do it cuz they had an agreement with the automobile manufacturer not to. Any suggestions for a more affordable repair? Geek Squad maybe?
JAY @ Jul 30th 2008 5:37PM
GARMIN NUVI IS THE BEST NAVIGATION AROUND RIGHT NOW PERIOD. I OWN A 2007 BMW 750LI AND IT WORKS BETTER THAN THE ONE THAT COMES BUILT IN THE CAR
driver6845 @ Aug 1st 2008 8:00AM
does anyone know if there is a trucker's version of any of these that will distinguish truck routes, bridge height and weight restrictions, etc?
Bill Butler @ Aug 2nd 2008 9:23PM
Had a garmin and still do. Works great!! Wanted a second for the other vehicle in the household, so bought a Tom-Tom on sale. Tried to navigate with the Tom-Tom to a church in El Paso TX. Only found listings on the Tom-Tom for Mosques... No other denominations! What's up with that? Bill B
Which GPS System? @ Aug 3rd 2008 5:03PM
This is an excellent guide for choosing a GPS System.
Well, Which GPS System? has not only tested and evaluated the leading GPS systems, but has also combined its test results and best picks with those researched and collected from the industry's top review sites so to give you an easy and simple recommendation of which GPS systems and devices you should choose.
Please visit http://www.whichgpssystem.com for more information and product recommendations.
HENRY @ Aug 4th 2008 1:49PM
I was given my TOMTOM (Mandy) that's what I call her, as a gift from my wife (since I hate to ask for directions). I tell you, that was one of the BEST & most useful gifts i have ever received, other than my children. I can't live w.out either.