(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?
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.
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.
Besides navigation capability, what other features and extras do I need on my GPS system?
Don't forget: The whole purpose of a GPS navi system is to get you from one place to another in the safest and quickest possible way, so we tend to pooh-pooh GPS devices that have extra features such as built-in MP3 players, photo, or video viewers, since only the MP3 player can be used while driving and the latter two are only usable by passengers at best (besides, we already have our iPods plugged into our car audio systems).
Still, some extras really add efficiency, and safety, to your trip. These include real-time traffic updates (these vary in accuracy and timeliness), nearest gas stations (along with updated prices), turn-by-turn directions with street names (instead of just 'turn right'), and Bluetooth phone connectivity (in case your car doesn't already come with that feature). You can easily get from point A to point B without even the latter features, but those are the only ones we'd say are worth considering.
Don't forget: The whole purpose of a GPS navi system is to get you from one place to another in the safest and quickest possible way, so we tend to pooh-pooh GPS devices that have extra features such as built-in MP3 players, photo, or video viewers, since only the MP3 player can be used while driving and the latter two are only usable by passengers at best (besides, we already have our iPods plugged into our car audio systems).
Still, some extras really add efficiency, and safety, to your trip. These include real-time traffic updates (these vary in accuracy and timeliness), nearest gas stations (along with updated prices), turn-by-turn directions with street names (instead of just 'turn right'), and Bluetooth phone connectivity (in case your car doesn't already come with that feature). You can easily get from point A to point B without even the latter features, but those are the only ones we'd say are worth considering.
Does size matter?
Portability is not an issue with factory-installed systems, of course, but it is one of the calling cards of the standalone and cell-phone navi system. Nothing beats a cell phone for portability, but trying to decipher a map or update travel routes on a tiny 2-inch screen and mini-keyboard is tricky and potentially lethal (after all, you might as well be texting-while-driving).
Generally, we think that screens should be at least 3- or 4-inches and speakers should be able to emit directions loudly and clearly. This means that most factory-installed and standalone portable units will be decent for visibility, but think twice before relying on a tiny cell phone GPS program if you drive a lot. Bigger screens also tend to be touch-sensitive, which means they're a lot easier to navigate if you're already on the road.
Size is also something to consider if you're parking your car in, shall we say, less than secure areas -- a candy-bar-sized GPS unit will fit in a handbag or briefcase a lot more easily than a bulky, grapefruit-sized one. We suggest checking out the actual size of devices and screens, along with sound quality, at your local electronics store, even if you plan to buy something online.
Portability is not an issue with factory-installed systems, of course, but it is one of the calling cards of the standalone and cell-phone navi system. Nothing beats a cell phone for portability, but trying to decipher a map or update travel routes on a tiny 2-inch screen and mini-keyboard is tricky and potentially lethal (after all, you might as well be texting-while-driving).
Generally, we think that screens should be at least 3- or 4-inches and speakers should be able to emit directions loudly and clearly. This means that most factory-installed and standalone portable units will be decent for visibility, but think twice before relying on a tiny cell phone GPS program if you drive a lot. Bigger screens also tend to be touch-sensitive, which means they're a lot easier to navigate if you're already on the road.
Size is also something to consider if you're parking your car in, shall we say, less than secure areas -- a candy-bar-sized GPS unit will fit in a handbag or briefcase a lot more easily than a bulky, grapefruit-sized one. We suggest checking out the actual size of devices and screens, along with sound quality, at your local electronics store, even if you plan to buy something online.
Are any of these things easy to use?
You'd think that the manufacturers of GPS units would have learned a thing or two about making their devices easy to use, but you'd be wrong. Most devices still fail the user-friendly test, but a select few are easy enough to get you through the basics. As we mentioned in our previous tip, it's worth visiting a brick-and-mortar shop to try out some of these devices in person before you decide to buy, whether or not you actually plan to buy something at that brick-and-mortar store.
Start by navigating around a main map screen – it it responsive to your finger's touch or does it take a few tries to get where you want to go? Is it easy to change addresses on the fly? (The menu systems of some of these GPS units can be pretty confusing and unintuitive, so if it takes you more than two-minutes to key in a new address, move on to the next unit.) Can you hear the voice directions easily? Next, take a look at the set-up directions for each unit you're considering at the company's Web site online –- does set-up look on your dashboard or windshield look like it'll be easy? Also, is the device small enough to fit your glove compartment, since, presumably, you won't want to leave it out for thieves to see when you're parked in some less than 100 percent secure neighborhood?
Lastly, look at reviews online to see how quickly routes are recalculated if you take a wrong turn, as this is can be a crucial time-saver and many GPS units simply fail the test entirely.
You'd think that the manufacturers of GPS units would have learned a thing or two about making their devices easy to use, but you'd be wrong. Most devices still fail the user-friendly test, but a select few are easy enough to get you through the basics. As we mentioned in our previous tip, it's worth visiting a brick-and-mortar shop to try out some of these devices in person before you decide to buy, whether or not you actually plan to buy something at that brick-and-mortar store.
Start by navigating around a main map screen – it it responsive to your finger's touch or does it take a few tries to get where you want to go? Is it easy to change addresses on the fly? (The menu systems of some of these GPS units can be pretty confusing and unintuitive, so if it takes you more than two-minutes to key in a new address, move on to the next unit.) Can you hear the voice directions easily? Next, take a look at the set-up directions for each unit you're considering at the company's Web site online –- does set-up look on your dashboard or windshield look like it'll be easy? Also, is the device small enough to fit your glove compartment, since, presumably, you won't want to leave it out for thieves to see when you're parked in some less than 100 percent secure neighborhood?
Lastly, look at reviews online to see how quickly routes are recalculated if you take a wrong turn, as this is can be a crucial time-saver and many GPS units simply fail the test entirely.
Yes. While it may seem to be a moot point since a portable GPS plugs right into your car's 12-volt power plug, you'll still want to consider battery life in your GPS purchase. Why? Well, first off, those power chords that go from a GPS device to the adapter are not only mighty ugly and tangly -- thus cluttering up your otherwise sexy dashboard -- but they're also downright dangerous when they inevitably get caught up in your gear shift.
Also, if you plan to do any walking, you'll want a device with power that'll last long enough to be truly "on-the-go." GPS services on cell phones take up a lot of juice, too, so if you plan on using your mobile to make phone calls on the next long drive, you can save power by turning off other wireless apps like Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
