Garmin nuvi Navigators

When it comes to car GPS navigation devices, there are not many brands to choose from; but once you set your eyes on a specific brand, you still have a handful of models to choose from. Some come in budget flavors while others come with feature additives. Garmin is one particular heavyweight in GPS devices and their Garmin nuvi navigators deserve a closer look because their entry level models have plenty of things in common with their most expensive ones.

Design

Over the years, Garmin has been finding ways to slim down their Garmin nuvi devices while either retaining their hardware internals or improving them. Their upcoming 2012 models retain their curved rectangular shapes and sleek looks. Garmin also has a “prestige” lineup of ultra-thin GPS devices that resemble smartphones, making them highly portable. Many of their devices come in 4.3-inch and 5-inch flavors with both having the same resolution; so 5-inch displays are basically easier to see from afar.

Interface

The interface is what makes their Garmin nuvi devices shine because turning on the device for the first time reveals a very simple main screen consisting of two main icons along with some buttons on the bottom leading to settings and other features. The first icon serves as the quickest way to create a route where you are asked to state a definition and the device will calculate a proper route based on your current location.

The second icon takes you to the map so you can see your position and any surrounding points of interests. The map is colorful and detailed especially when you go to 3-D view where you can see some useful road sign icons along with streets and other possible routes. The interface is entirely touch driven and it is simple to zoom in and out of the map using one finger.

Common Features and Technologies

Just about every Garmin nuvi navigator should have the ability to plan multiple routes. This opens up a lot of possibilities because of the fact that it has over 6 million points of interest scattered in North America. Some devices may have Europe and Mexico maps as well. The text-to-speech engine adds convenience to the navigation experience so you won’t have to pay attention to the screen to make sure you are turning on the right intersection.

These devices also make use of a technology called HotFix satellite prediction which increases the speed of calculating your position for better accuracy. It works by predicting the movement of the satellite so it can come up with its own calculations based on its predicted course. Newer 2010 models include a nice extra called ecoRoute which takes fuel efficiency into consideration when calculating a trip.

Midrange and higher-end devices have a nice extra that can help people on the highway. This is called lane assist and it works by notifying drivers in advance which lane to be on before a critical exit turn needs to be made. Higher-end devices have Bluetooth connectivity to phones for hands free operation. Some models have variations where unlimited maps updates and/or traffic updated are included to vastly increase the lifespan of the device so the maps stay up to date and traffic data is properly shown so it can calculate better routes. These models have a letter suffix which means that the corresponding feature is free and it lasts a lifetime.

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What Features To Look For When Shopping For A GPS Device

A GPS device can be a cool thing to have if you frequently go out a lot whether it is on foot or on a car or motorcycle. The whole idea of seeing your position update on a map makes you feel like you are in a video game where you can freely explore your surroundings without getting lost. When you are set to buy your very first GPS device, you already know that the GPS will come with an ability to connect to satellites so you get your position.

However, there are many GPS devices that can do more than simple navigation. You can actually purchase the most expensive GPS model so you can enjoy all sorts of cool features and call it day. However, the price of these high-end devices rival smartphones so you should evaluate what features you really need in a GPS device so you can save money. Each feature may or may not be a priority depending on your personal preferences so here is a general overview of the different features you can expect in a GPS device.

Usability Functions

A GPS device should be ready to use the moment you turn on the device the first time. Ideally, it is best if you can figure out the functions of a GPS device without resorting to a manual. Manufacturers are working to make their home screens as easy to use as possible to encourage more people to try using GPS devices. It should also be easy to plan simple routes because you do not want to spend too much time fiddling with your device whether you are walking or driving.

Navigation Technologies

While the GPS concept seems simple enough to conclude that your position will always be mapped in real-time, the GPS has to do a lot of work to make sure that it is accurate in every possible aspect. Many figures can be shown on a GPS display such as the speed you are driving or walking or the distance remaining to a certain set point.

Map Content

The map content can help you choose the exact category for your GPS device. For instance, if you plan on taking a long hike, a car GPS navigation device may not fully sustain your needs since the map data consists more of city and street maps as opposed to trail content. Handheld GPS devices normally focus on terrain data and the like but may not be so useful when you are driving.

You also have to consider location support as there are some devices that may support 48 states without Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and Alaska. There are some devices that have maps of Mexico, Canada, and Europe so you can really travel around with a single GPS device. Lastly, maps can get outdated overtime when new locations form or existing locations move. If you purchase a device with lifetime map updates, you can update these locations without manually adding them in for free by accessing the manufacturer’s site.

Don’t forget to take a look at the higher-end devices that feature advanced functions like Bluetooth so you can receive phone calls through your GPS device without taking out your phone. Voice navigation can also be useful for setting routes without physically interacting with the device.

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Which Is The Best Car GPS Navigator For Me?

A few years back, many people have seen GPS devices as non-essential extras just for the richer folks to drive more conveniently. But ordinary people got more exposed to GPS technologies through their newly purchased smartphones. GPS is becoming a reoccurring feature in newly released smartphone models and even the basic functions help in navigating through busy roads. Imagine what the fully dedicated GPS devices are capable of doing. Although just about every GPS device should outperform a smartphone with GPS features, you should still pick the best car GPS navigator so you won’t have to upgrade anytime soon. Here are the top three brands that are worth considering.

Garmin nuvi GPS Units

Garmin nuvi devices are a popular first choice for people that have never used a GPS device in the past. These units work out of the box and they present very basic interfaces no matter what model you opt for. You will always be presented with options to go directly to the map or plan a quick route. When you look at the map, you will get a good idea on how many points of interest the device is capable of storing. There are simply millions if you check out the other maps within the device. It is even better if you get devices with lifetime map updates so you won’t have to pay for any updates. Their new devices come with a feature called ecoRoute which calculates a special route that ensures fast travel with fuel efficiency.

TomTom GPS Units

TomTom is the leading brand in the EU area and their devices present a simple interface as well. It has a nice variety of devices and their model numbering system makes it easy for customers to select a device. Their car navigation category consists of four major families. The GO family of devices have the most advanced features including voice recognition and Bluetooth. The VIA series have an impressive feature set and the lack of Bluetooth and voice recognition make the price a bit lower. The TomTom XL series are more of the affordable 4.3-inch GPS devices that have the essentials in road navigation. XXL devices have a larger 5-inch display. The EASE and ONE series are the cheapest of the bunch because they have small displays and basic functions including IQ Routes for calculating the fastest route and text-to-speech for properly announcing street names.

Magellan GPS Units

Magellan GPS is growing to be a strong contender in the GPS ring because their interface has some unique features like QuickSpell which makes it easier to fully type in the name of a destination by highlighting the letters while you type so you can quickly complete a name. It also offers access to a list of frequently visited destinations through the OneTouch Favorites Menu. Currently, this is the only major brand that offers 7-inch car GPS devices.

To sum things up, there is really no best car GPS navigator especially considering the fact that each family of GPS series consist of a number of models to cater to different users. Overall, Garmin devices are good all around. TomTom presents nice budget offerings and their higher-end models rank up well against Garmin devices. Magellan devices are ideal for usability and should be the main choice if you want 7-inch models so you can see a lot of the map.

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What Is A GPS Navigator And How Does It Work?

GPS is a common specification in midrange and high-end smartphones these days. But if you trace their roots, you will find out that there are devices that are specifically made for GPS navigation. It is best that you find out what these navigators are capable of doing and how they work so you can figure out what kind of GPS device you need and whether or not a smartphone GPS device is the way to go.

About GPS Navigators

GPS or global positioning system is a technology that makes use of the various orbiting satellites in accurately tracking your current position. These GPS navigators contain a map so the position is shown on top of this map to reflect your current position. These maps are also interactive and can contain other points that show the positions of landmarks, stores, markets, restaurants, and other key locations. These points are known as points of interest and they are used for making routes. This is commonly featured in car GPS devices where the maps contain various road information.

There are also special GPS devices for boats, motorcycles, and people that like to walk on the trail. In fact, when the concept of GPS was introduced back in the 1970s, the devices were mainly targeted for military personnel and serious outdoor enthusiasts.

How it Works

Many GPS units are highly accurate these days, thanks to the sophisticated hardware that are embedded. These hardware are necessary for the device to properly obtain the latitude and longitude values. They also responsible for connecting to multiple satellites to ensure that the latitude and longitude values are accurate.

At least three satellites need to be used for 2D positioning so it is best that the device is operated out on open areas as opposed to under trees or inside buildings. As long as your device has communication with these satellites, your position should update automatically. There are times where the position isn’t accurate which is normal since some satellites may be out of reach. The device needs to process other data as well like the distance between your current position and destination so GPS devices with more powerful processors perform better overall.

Modern GPS devices should handle satellite connectivity with ease because they have parallel multi-channel features. This type of design allows these GPS devices to connect to satellites even when the weather conditions are rough. If the GPS device uses the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the accuracy is even better.

GPS manufacturers offer maps that you can download from their respective sites. Although most GPS devices have preloaded maps, some of the data may need to be updated as years go by. This is why these GPS devices feature syncing capabilities so you can download the map files and updates to your laptop or computer and then synchronize them to your device.

Some GPS devices may be outfitted with other features like Bluetooth so you can use the GPS as a hands-free phone which is good if you use the GPS device while driving. GPS devices are very useful if you are lost or if you want to reach a destination much faster.

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