Portable Car GPS vs. In Dash Car GPS Systems
Automotive GPS Systems have gotten much more advanced and complex in recent years. New technologies have allowed for additional convienence but at the same time it can be very difficult to determine what is the best GPS Car Unit for your specific need. We have dedicated this website to help make your car GPS search and purchase as smooth and efficient as possible. We believe that the best Automotive GPS units are the GPS devices that thousands of consumers have already purchased and written GPS reviews and ratings for.
Car GPS devices can be categorized into two main GPS categories: Portable Car GPS and In-Dash Car GPS Navigation are the two main car GPS types. Each of these Car GPS types has it own advantages. Typically the In-Dash navigation GPS Units allow for larger screen sizes and more theft protection, but are much more expensive. Portable Car GPS Units are less expensive, do not require sophisticated installation and allow for flexibility of moving from car to car. Whether you determine that a Portable Car GPS or In-Dash Car GPS is right for you, it is the specific features that these Automotive GPS Devices have that really are important for your specific need.
One major disadvantage of Portable Car GPS Units is that they require external cables to operate them so your interior car space can become somewhat cluttered looking when the device is operating on your dashboard (the typical mounting location for Portable Car GPS Units). This also makes it more difficult and time consuming when you wish to remove portable GPS devices (for security from theft) from your car when you park or leave your vehicle unattended. Because portable GPS units need to be mounted on the dashboard they stand out and are highly visible to would be thieves that have no trouble seeing your GPS unit (if you haven't removed it from your dashboard) in full view when your car is parked.
What do the Car GPS Features Mean?
Regardless of the two main device types you choose, the Portable CAR GPS and In-Dash Car GPS features you must consider when making your purchase are as follows:
- TRAFFIC -The GPS device receives (or is capable to receive) alerts about traffic tie-ups, road construction or obstacles that lie ahead on your route. Traffic updates are provided thru free or subscription based services designated by the GPS device manufacturer. Fee based subscription services typically receive more detailed alerts about traffic tie-ups, road construction or obstacles that lie ahead on your route. Data is typically provided thru fee based subscription services designated by the GPS device manufacturer and may include advanced weather, news and local events information.
- BLUETOOTH -Bluetooth wireless technology pairs the GPS device with your compatible Bluetooth enabled cell phone for hands-free calling using a built-in microphone on the GPS device.
- SPEAKS STREET NAMES-Commonly referred to as "Text-To-Speech", this feature means that device automatically calls out street names saying "turn left on Peachtree Street" instead of "turn left in 100 feet."
- MULTI-POINT ROUTING -The GPS Unit allows you to enter custom destinations into the device in order to assist you in travelling to multiple destinations in the shortest time possible during one trip.
- FM TRANSMITTER -The GPS device is able to transmit audio....including directions, MP3 music and audiobooks from the GPS device to your car radio.
- LANE GUIDANCE -Lane guidance feature provides you with what lane you are or should be travelling in preparation for upcoming turns.
- MP3 -Device is able to play MP3 encoded audio sources. Photo Viewer-Device is able to display JPG file format images.
Top Rated 4.3-Inch Portable Car GPS
Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
The Garmin nüvi 255W has technology that provides fast satellite lock and a screen design with more information. This includes terrain maps and an new photo navigation feature. Included are complete maps for North America and turn by turn spoken directions with the real street names. All nüvi 2x5 models have a slim design and they fit well in your pocket. All of the models have a JPEG image viewer, world clock currency and measurement converter and calculator.
Top Rated 3.5-Inch Portable Car GPS
Garmin nüvi 255 3.5-Inch Portable GPS Navigator
The Garmin nüvi 255 leads with voice turn-by-turn directions and optional MSN traffic updates. It contains maps for North America or Europe. Right out of the box it contains City Navigator NT street maps with hotels, restaurants, fuel stops and more. Touch the color screen and experience turn-by-turn voice. It also accepts custom points of interest (POIs), like school zones, safety cameras and allows you to program alerts to notify you of upcoming POIs. It's thin design and fits easily in your purse or pocket and its emergency locator knows your location at all times. Tap the screen to receive the nearest address, intersections, hospitals, law enforcement and gas stations.
Bluetooth Bestseller - Top Rated Portable Car GPS with Bluetooth
Garmin nüvi 285W/285WT 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic
The Garmin nüvi 285W/285WT has preloaded maps and turn-by-turn directions that call out streets by name. It reports real-time local weather, traffic, movie times, stock information, gas prices, news and local events as you navigate. The 285W/285WT provides complete maps for North America and the Text-to-Speech feature gets you turn-by-turn spoken directions with the real names of streets (e.g. "turn left in 100 feet at Cheery Street", rather than merely "turn left in 100 feet"). Like the rest of the nüvi 2x5-series, this portable navigator is priced great and easy to use.
Magellan Bestseller - Top Rated Magellan Portable Car GPS
Magellan Maestro 4700 4.7-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
The Magellan Maestro 4700 GPS device features the easy to use OneTouch favorites menu and an thin 4.7-inch color touch screen. NAVTEQ maps are inluded along with and six million points of interest for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. These car GPS features make the Magellan Maestro 4700 GPS product ideal for business trips and vacations. It includes easy-to-use top end features, such as AAA TourBook, voice command, highway lane guide assist, predictive traffic, and Bluetooth compatibility for hands-free calling that will give you confidence on the road and deliver an exceptional navigation experience.
TomTom Bestseller - Top Rated TomTom Portable Car GPS
TomTom XXL 540S 5-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator
The TomTom XXL 540S is complete navigation in a XXL widescreen device. Switch on and go right out of the box. Spoken turn-by-turn instructions including street names will guide you to any address in the US, Canada and Mexico--including more than 7 million preloaded points of interest. Included Lane Guidance uses photoreal images to create even more clarity to complex multi-lane exits for more confidence on the road. An extra-wide 5.0-inch touchscreen helps you find your way a bit better as well.
Top Rated In-Dash Navigation GPS
Kenwood DNX5140 6.1-Inch Wide Double-DIN In-Dash Nagivation with USB/iPod Direct Control/DVD Receiver
Kenwood's Top Rated DNX5140 In-Dash Car GPS is an all-around performer for your vehicle, the best selling GPS unit provides you with movies, music, and built-in Garmin GPS Navigation with maps of the United States and Canada. The DNX5140 In-Dash GPS puts intuitive control at your fingers with a 6.1-inch Active Matrix Display and easy-to-use graphical user interface. Customize the unit's front panel illumination with the new variable illumination palette and dash lighting. Custom wallpapers and backgrounds offer other personalization. The integrated navi system guides you with ease on the 6.1-inch screen. All functions are intuitively controlled by touchscreen menus, and voice guidance works over the vehicle's speaker system. that features maps of Canada, continental USA, Hawaii, and Alaska.
