| In the market for a GPS system, but don't know | | | | Now for features! |
| which one to buy? Read this article to get a | | | | All GPS receivers can tell you where you are via |
| heads up on which system might be the best one | | | | an electronic map. They can also tell you how to |
| for you. | | | | get to your destination with spoken directions. |
| The problem with buying a GPS system is there | | | | You can also expect a touch screen interface, |
| are so many manufacturers and so many | | | | ability to auto-calculate your route, a database of |
| products to choose from. The prices for GPS | | | | pre-programmed destinations and pre-loaded |
| receivers range from $150 on the low end to | | | | maps. |
| almost $1,000 on the high end. So, if it's just a | | | | To my mind the best GPS navigation systems |
| basic GPS you're looking for, you can get that | | | | that offer these basic features are the Garmin |
| fairly cheaply. You can, however, spend a lot of | | | | nuvi 200, the Magellan 3100, and the Tom Tom |
| money on these things. | | | | One. All three sell for less than $200. |
| There are also a ton of features to know about. | | | | You can get a lot more features for not much |
| Many of these features are things you might not | | | | more money, however. |
| have thought about, such as your GPS receiver | | | | If you spring for the Garmin nuvi 350 (right at |
| having the ability to send it's sound through your | | | | $200), you can get Bluetooth capability, more |
| car's stereo system. (In the biz, that's called "FM | | | | maps, much larger database of destinations, |
| transmission".) | | | | actually saying the street names with the |
| To help you choose the best GPS navigation | | | | directions, and real-time traffic and weather (with |
| system for you, let's narrow this stuff down | | | | subscription). |
| some. With only a little work, I can make this | | | | To my mind, that's a lot of GPS for $200! |
| whole process a lot simpler. | | | | Magellan has a direct competitor to the nuvi 350, |
| For one thing, there are three big manufacturers | | | | which is the Magellan Maestro 3250. It has similar |
| of GPS devices. These three essentially dominate | | | | features at a similar price. If you want to get a |
| the market. They are Garmin, Tom Tom, and | | | | Tom Tom, then the Tom Tom Go 510 would be |
| Magellan. | | | | the best product at this price range. |
| Garmin is by far the industry leader with almost | | | | Of course, the more you pay the more you get! |
| 70% of the market share. Tom Tom is the new | | | | At the top of the market, Garmin probably has |
| arrival, which is quickly making inroads by offering | | | | the best product selection. Although, don't rule out |
| excellent products at very competitive prices, and | | | | Magellan and Tom Tom. They both make very |
| Magellan is actually one of the first companies to | | | | good products. |
| make these amazing devices. | | | | What you need to do now is find an informative |
| There are other manufacturers, sure. But | | | | website where you can browse specific devices |
| personally I like to keep with the big three. That | | | | and learn more about what they do and how |
| way I know my purchase will be supported well | | | | much they are. |
| next year and the year after that. | | | | |