Considering Purchasing a GPS System?

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By Chris McLaughlin

Does your job often take you to new places? Do you loathe the idea of asking a stranger for directions? Do you sometimes hop in the car and drive just to clear your mind? If you answered yes to any of those questions, it's likely you've considered purchasing a Global Positioning System (GPS) in the past. It's also likely that because you're reading this article, you've decided against taking the plunge.

That's where we come in. We understand sorting through the mass of GPS information out there can leave you on information overload. With that in mind, we've put together an easy-to-read guide that will help you pick out the perfect GPS system for your lifestyle and more importantly - your budget.

Money, Money, Money

The first and perhaps most important thing to do before deciding on a GPS system is setting a budget. GPS prices have come down recently as technology has improved and competition has expanded, but it's still important to have a set number in mind before you begin shopping. Having a price range in mind can help eliminate unrealistic systems and help make your shopping experience much less daunting.

What type of driver are you?

Stay-at-home Mom or Dad – If most of your time is spent running the kids to and from soccer practice or running errands on familiar roads, you may want to think long and hard about the benefits of a GPS system. Chances are you know your neighborhood like the back of your hand - and you would have little use for a navigation system.

The Commuter – If you travel the same route to work every day and think you don't need a GPS system, think again. GPS systems are capable of providing alternate routes around traffic. Some of the new, higher-end models even give you the option of paying an extra fee for real-time traffic information. Anyone who has sat in traffic for hours knows how valuable that type of information can be.

The Adventurer – If you're one of those people who lives for the weekend, a GPS can be your new best friend. Plug in a destination address and let your worries melt away. Most GPS systems offer hotel and restaurant recommendations, so planning in advance is no longer a necessity. Perfect for those of you who like to get up and go.

Types of GPS systems

Although there are numerous types of GPS systems currently on the market, we will focus on the two most common types.

in dash GPS

In-dash systems – These types of GPS systems are available two ways; as an optional feature when you buy a new car or through installation of an aftermarket navigation system. In-dash systems usually have large, clear screens that are placed in the dashboard and feature intuitive, easy to use controls.

However, because in-dash systems are wired to a vehicle's dashboard, you can't transport them from car-to-car if you own more than one vehicle.

portable GPS

Aftermarket portable systems – One of the most popular GPS types on the market, portable systems can easily be moved from car to car and their weight and small size make them easy to pack in luggage.

However, there are a few drawbacks to portable systems. Portables have smaller screens, sometimes making it difficult to read them at a quick glance. Also, most portable systems offer fewer options than their larger, more expensive in-dash counterparts.

The major players

There are a number of GPS manufacturers out there, far too many to list. So here are just a few of the major players dominating today's GPS marketplace:

Garmin – By far the biggest selling brand, with more than 50 percent of the market.

Magellan – The supplier of the NeverLost system used in Hertz rental cars. Also credited with introducing the first portable navigation system that can respond to voice commands.

TomTom – Has offices in Europe, North America, and Asia. Is the world's largest provider of navigation devices, with sales in 30 countries and online.

Reviews

To help finalize your search, we've provided reviews, courtesy of CNET, for some of the most trusted names in the industry.

TomTom ONE 125

The good: The TomTom One 125 delivers accurate directions and good performance. The GPS is easy to use and offers the essential navigation features, including a Help Me safety feature. 

The bad: The One 125 doesn't include text-to-speech functionality. The display is on the smaller side, and the car mount is weak. 

The bottom line: Though we miss text-to-speech functionality, the TomTom One 125 is an easy-to-use, accurate, and affordable GPS for first-time buyers. 

Garmin Nuvi 265WT

The good: The Garmin Nuvi 265WT offers integrated Bluetooth and a lifetime of free traffic alerts. The portable GPS also has a spacious touch screen and text-to-speech functionality.

The bad: We wish the audible traffic alerts and route recalculations were a little faster. Call quality was mixed.

The bottom line: Despite some minor performance issues, the Garmin Nuvi 265WT is a good value GPS, offering a number of high-end features for an affordable price. 

TomTom GO 740 Live

The good: The TomTom GO 740 Live is the manufacturer's first connected-GPS device, offering up-to-the-minute traffic data, weather forecasts, fuel prices, and Local Search powered by Google. Map Share and IQ Routes technologies allow map data to be updated more frequently. Bluetooth hands-free calling and voice command help the driver to keep both hands on the wheel.

The bad: Route calculations are slow, particularly from a moving vehicle. High entry cost only includes three months of service.

The bottom line: The TomTom GO 740 Live puts a tremendous amount of information at your fingertips and makes it easy to access and process it all from the driver's seat. 

Magellan Maestro 4370

The good: The Magellan Maestro 4370 provides easy access to favorite destinations via the new OneTouch interface. The GPS also offers a sharp display; text-to-speech directions; advanced lane guidance; integrated Bluetooth; and accurate directions.

The bad: Menu navigation can be a bit sluggish. Voice-guided directions are occasionally choppy, and your phone book's information isn't automatically transferred to the Maestro 4370 when connected via Bluetooth.

The bottom line: Despite a couple of minor performance issues, the Magellan Maestro 4370 offers convenience through its new OneTouch interface and also delivers with features and accurate directions. 

Making the final decision

Now that you've got the basics down, it's time to get out there and start shopping.

  • Visit your local electronics store and see what they have to offer. Speak to a customer service representative. You can even draw up a list of questions you want answered so you make sure you don't miss anything.
  • With the market so competitive these days, dealers are often very willing to throw in extra features for free, so don't be afraid to ask about service plans.
  • What type of options and features are available with each model? Is voice capability a necessity? How often are maps upgraded? What about real-time traffic options?

Those details may seem small, but they could make all the difference in the world when choosing the right GPS system. And remember, if you see something you like, compare before you buy.

Happy navigating!