The top ten gps review is here to help you make an informed decision before you go out and spend your hard earned money on the latest technology. Not all that's new is good. You want the best features for the right price in a unit that's tried and true.
The first thing you need to consider when shopping for a new gps unit is price range. What are you willing to spend for the luxury of having gps? There are various models in all price ranges that contain a wealth of features, but some you may have to pay more for.
The next thing you'll want to consider before you buy are the features themselves. What do you want and what do you need? Sure all gps units will give you directions, but some also store your photos and music. Some tell you the name of the street you need to turn onto. Some will even allow you to make phone calls hands free through your car stereo.
Finally, you'll want to consider the brand name. Some companies have been around longer than others and have a proven track record. While other, newer companies seem competitive, they may not offer as many services. Be aware!
To get a review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
The Top Ten GPS Features To Consider Before You Buy
All GPS models come with basic features, such as preloaded maps, automatic rerouting for when you miss a turn, and spoken directions. The top ten GPS features are extras that you'll want to consider before you make your final choice. This article breaks down the top ten GPS features available in a GPS unit today!
1. Spoken Street Names. Of the top ten GPS features, this one is absolutely necessary! With this feature you never have to take your eyes off of the road to look at your GPS. It tells you when to turn and the name of the street you'll be turning onto. Nothing could make traveling by car simpler. Or Safer. The last thing you need while driving is another distraction to take your eyes off the road.
2. Real Time Traffic Reports. This can be a useful feature to help you avoid traffic accidents and construction, but you need to be aware of the downsides before you buy based on this option. First, this feature may only work in certain major cities. Check the manufacturers web site to see if your area is covered. Second, you may be required to buy an additional receiver for this feature to work. Read the packaging carefully. And third, you may have to pay a subscription for this service. Some units are now offering this feature for free with purchase.
3. Routing Option. Some GPS units allow you to set up for multiple points on one trip before you even start driving. Some units will let you know when there is a toll road on your route and give you an alternative route to avoid it if you want.
4. Detour Feature. When you have a GPS unit with real time traffic reports, it can warn you of traffic backups and provide alternative routes. If that feature is not available to you, some units have a manual detour button you can use when you notice traffic starting to slow down. At this point it would provide you with an alternative route.
5. Bluetooth Compatibility. This is a cool top ten GPS feature. If you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone you can sync it with your GPS unit to make and receive hands free phone calls through the internal speaker in the GPS. It can also display the caller ID on the GPS's screen.
6. Screen Size. As of right now GPS units come with screen sizes ranging from 2.5 inches to 7 inches. The smallest units allow for ultra portability but can be difficult to see and type addresses on. The largest units are really easy to see and type on but can take up more room than necessary and are bulky to carry around. You can definitely get by with a 3.5 inch screen, but a 4.3 inch is optimal.
7. MP3 Player. If you already have an mp3 player or a cell phone with music capabilities this feature may be overkill. If not, you could turn your GPS into a multitasking device. Some units have an expansion slot for an SD card for extra memory. You can then use your GPS as a portable music player.
8. Video Player. In order to use this feature you would need to download videos to your GPS from a computer or from an SD card. Obviously this has nothing to do with navigation, but it could be a nice feature to preview your family videos while on a trip.
9. Photo Viewer. This top ten GPS feature basically turns your GPS unit into a digital picture frame. As with video, you would have to download pics from your computer or an SD card.
10. Predictive Data Entry. This top ten GPS feature is common on most models, but is still worth mentioning here. When you start typing in a destination, the unit will predict and list destinations similar to what you're typing. This just helps to find and input your destinations faster.
You'll want to consider the features listed above before you buy your next gps. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
1. Spoken Street Names. Of the top ten GPS features, this one is absolutely necessary! With this feature you never have to take your eyes off of the road to look at your GPS. It tells you when to turn and the name of the street you'll be turning onto. Nothing could make traveling by car simpler. Or Safer. The last thing you need while driving is another distraction to take your eyes off the road.
2. Real Time Traffic Reports. This can be a useful feature to help you avoid traffic accidents and construction, but you need to be aware of the downsides before you buy based on this option. First, this feature may only work in certain major cities. Check the manufacturers web site to see if your area is covered. Second, you may be required to buy an additional receiver for this feature to work. Read the packaging carefully. And third, you may have to pay a subscription for this service. Some units are now offering this feature for free with purchase.
3. Routing Option. Some GPS units allow you to set up for multiple points on one trip before you even start driving. Some units will let you know when there is a toll road on your route and give you an alternative route to avoid it if you want.
4. Detour Feature. When you have a GPS unit with real time traffic reports, it can warn you of traffic backups and provide alternative routes. If that feature is not available to you, some units have a manual detour button you can use when you notice traffic starting to slow down. At this point it would provide you with an alternative route.
5. Bluetooth Compatibility. This is a cool top ten GPS feature. If you have a Bluetooth enabled cell phone you can sync it with your GPS unit to make and receive hands free phone calls through the internal speaker in the GPS. It can also display the caller ID on the GPS's screen.
6. Screen Size. As of right now GPS units come with screen sizes ranging from 2.5 inches to 7 inches. The smallest units allow for ultra portability but can be difficult to see and type addresses on. The largest units are really easy to see and type on but can take up more room than necessary and are bulky to carry around. You can definitely get by with a 3.5 inch screen, but a 4.3 inch is optimal.
7. MP3 Player. If you already have an mp3 player or a cell phone with music capabilities this feature may be overkill. If not, you could turn your GPS into a multitasking device. Some units have an expansion slot for an SD card for extra memory. You can then use your GPS as a portable music player.
8. Video Player. In order to use this feature you would need to download videos to your GPS from a computer or from an SD card. Obviously this has nothing to do with navigation, but it could be a nice feature to preview your family videos while on a trip.
9. Photo Viewer. This top ten GPS feature basically turns your GPS unit into a digital picture frame. As with video, you would have to download pics from your computer or an SD card.
10. Predictive Data Entry. This top ten GPS feature is common on most models, but is still worth mentioning here. When you start typing in a destination, the unit will predict and list destinations similar to what you're typing. This just helps to find and input your destinations faster.
You'll want to consider the features listed above before you buy your next gps. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit: http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Top Ten GPS List Is Dominated By These Five Manufacturers
Although there are hundreds of GPS units on the market today, the top ten GPS list is dominated by only a handful of manufacturers. Which one you choose will depend on a number of features, preferences and price. This installment in the top ten GPS series breaks down the top five GPS manufacturers so you can make a more informed decision when you go shopping for your new GPS unit.
1. Garmin. The number one GPS manufacturer in the marketplace today is Garmin for a number of reasons. First, they have been around the longest and have the most experience with the technology. Second, they have the largest selection of GPS units on the market today. Third, they have GPS units designed for purposes other than driving, such as hiking, motorcycles, car tracking, dog tracking, and boating. Fourth, they provide all the features you could want or need in a GPS unit. And fifth, Garmin provides you with a simple interface and menus which are easy to use.
2. Tom Tom. As far as popularity goes, Tom Tom is the number two manufacturer on the market today. They offer a good variety of GPS models, though not as many as Garmin. The two companies offer comparable features on individual models, and the usability of a Tom Tom is probably just as easy. Customization is probably the only real area where Tom Tom differentiates itself from Garmin. You can download different voices for your Tom Tom to read directions to you or you can customize your menus.
3. Magellan. This company comes in at number three. They have been around longer than Tom Tom, but they do not offer as many models. They are known for making GPS units for the everyday user, but upon comparison their navigation menus are not as simple to use as the Garmin or Tom Tom. Most of their models offer the basic features that you would want or need and some of their most expensive models offer all the bells and whistles available in a GPS unit today.
4. Mio. This company is relatively new to the GPS marketplace. Just like the Magellan, the Mio's user interface is not as simple to use as the Garmin or Tom Tom. Despite this setback, the Mio does offer some advantages over its fellow competitors. In some of their models they offer a bigger screen if that's something that interests you (4.7 inches compared to 4.3). They also market themselves as trying to be a socially responsible or "greener" company as far as their packaging and manufacturing processes go.
5. Nextar. This is another newer company to the GPS market. They are popular because they offer all the necessary features in a GPS unit for a low price. But when it comes down to it, ease of use and reliability are not as good as the other brands listed here. When you buy a GPS unit, reliability should be the first criteria to base your choice on. That is why Nextar is number five.
These are the top five manufacturers of gps units on the market today. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps .
1. Garmin. The number one GPS manufacturer in the marketplace today is Garmin for a number of reasons. First, they have been around the longest and have the most experience with the technology. Second, they have the largest selection of GPS units on the market today. Third, they have GPS units designed for purposes other than driving, such as hiking, motorcycles, car tracking, dog tracking, and boating. Fourth, they provide all the features you could want or need in a GPS unit. And fifth, Garmin provides you with a simple interface and menus which are easy to use.
2. Tom Tom. As far as popularity goes, Tom Tom is the number two manufacturer on the market today. They offer a good variety of GPS models, though not as many as Garmin. The two companies offer comparable features on individual models, and the usability of a Tom Tom is probably just as easy. Customization is probably the only real area where Tom Tom differentiates itself from Garmin. You can download different voices for your Tom Tom to read directions to you or you can customize your menus.
3. Magellan. This company comes in at number three. They have been around longer than Tom Tom, but they do not offer as many models. They are known for making GPS units for the everyday user, but upon comparison their navigation menus are not as simple to use as the Garmin or Tom Tom. Most of their models offer the basic features that you would want or need and some of their most expensive models offer all the bells and whistles available in a GPS unit today.
4. Mio. This company is relatively new to the GPS marketplace. Just like the Magellan, the Mio's user interface is not as simple to use as the Garmin or Tom Tom. Despite this setback, the Mio does offer some advantages over its fellow competitors. In some of their models they offer a bigger screen if that's something that interests you (4.7 inches compared to 4.3). They also market themselves as trying to be a socially responsible or "greener" company as far as their packaging and manufacturing processes go.
5. Nextar. This is another newer company to the GPS market. They are popular because they offer all the necessary features in a GPS unit for a low price. But when it comes down to it, ease of use and reliability are not as good as the other brands listed here. When you buy a GPS unit, reliability should be the first criteria to base your choice on. That is why Nextar is number five.
These are the top five manufacturers of gps units on the market today. To see a detailed review of the Top Ten GPS units for 2010, visit http://www.squidoo.com/top-ten-gps .
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