If you’re looking for some cheap portable GPS systems, you’ve reached the right place. There are not many quality devices on the market that are also considered discount or cheap, however there are a few. In this article, we will look at the handful that have a good reputation in the industry for being accurate and reputable, while at the same time offering great prices for some additional features. Want to know which ones they are? Let’s get started!
Cheap vs. Quality
Sometimes it’s hard to believe that you can find cheap portable GPS systems that will offer some type of high quality performance. But many companies are now finding that if they keep the quality and simply eliminate some of the features they can sell them at a cheaper price. For example, Garmin has been around for several years selling top-of-the-line systems to willing customers, however many of their units can get into the “pricey” category. But recently that have determined that it is just as profitable to offer less expensive products to a capture a wider market – and it worked! Now they have plenty to offer making them and their customers happy.
What Products Are Available?
There are quite a few cheap portable GPS systems (falling at or below the $250 mark) currently available. Let’s take a look at a few:
Garmin StreetPilot c340 – This unit is priced at around $200 and gives a good name to the cheap portable GPS systems on the market. It definitely does not offer everything the more expensive ones do, but what it does offer is standard navigation features, a beautiful 3D view, an easy to understand touchscreen, and a very long battery life (approximately 8 hours). Some additional features you can look forward to with this unit include a photo sharing option, and some games. So while it’s not the most impressive unit, it gets the job done and even offers a few extras, making it worth its
Cobra Handheld Navigator – This portable navigation unit is great because it can be used on the roads and off, making it a versatile addition to the list of cheap portable GPS systems. It includes maps of the continental United States, as well as some cities, territories, and boundaries in both Canada and Europe. So if you like to travel, and like simplicity, this unit with a $250 price tag is worth investigating further.
Magellan RoadMate 2000 – For about 250 bucks, you can get a lot of features in an attractive package. The Magellan RoadMate 2000 is simple, but very handy. First and foremost, it is a great navigation system that offers turn-by-turn voice and visual instruction that helps you avoid traffic and the highways and major roads. It offers an intuitive touchscreen menu that provides access to advanced applications like multi-destination routing, SmartDetour and QuickSpell. And it also offers access to over 1 million points of interests so that you can avoid looking up the address to every business or public location in your city and beyond – it’s already stored in the device for you!
TomTom One – TomTom, like the other companies on the list, is known for releasing reliable systems that get the job done and then some. This particular model is very simple, which is why it comes with a $200 (and sometimes less) price tag. It is extremely accurate with great mapping directions and a user-friendly touchscreen. In addition, it has preloaded 2D and 3D maps of the entire United States and Canada (including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico). It offers audible turn-by-turn directions in over 30 languages and in over 50 different voices as it announces the streets you are approaching. And it has a great MapShare feature that lets you and others who own TomTom devices improve the maps you all share as you notice changes in your local geography. It doesn’t have the MP3 player and other entertainment features that some other devices offer, but it does give you a great deal of functionality for your money. What more can you ask for?
As you see from this article, cheap portable GPS systems don’t necessary equal lesser quality. In fact, you may find that by purchasing the more expensive units, you are acquiring a lot of features you just don’t need. So the next time you are looking at cheap portable GPS systems, don’t turn your nose up at them. Instead see what they can do for you. You might be surprised at their quality.
By: Jeffrey Meier
Posts Tagged ‘Portable Gps Systems’
What is the Best Portable GPS System?
November 16th, 2009
For some, GPS systems are not limited to the car dashboard or even on the steering console of the boat. But rather carried with them wherever they go! GPS manufacturers have taken notice of how popular their systems are with avid outdoors men and nature enthusiasts and have focused on developing many rugged, durable and water-resistant handheld portable GPS tools.
When it comes to which brand makes the best portable GPS system, the jury is still out. However, one of the most popular portable GPS systems is made by Magellan. Though they are not the most familiar name in GPS technology, Magellan has held their own in the industry for some time. For those who love the outdoors and have a larger then average budget, portable GPS systems don’t get much better then the Triton 2000.
The Triton 2000 includes seemingly endless functions. Some of the most important being a wide variety of built in maps, an easy-to-read compass function, voice recorder and handy flashlight. Due to the fact that the Triton 2000 was designed for the outdoorsmen, it is designed to be quite a bit more durable then other GPS systems, and is completely waterproof as opposed to water resistant.
For those who like to take their adventures and discoveries one step further, the Triton also offers the ability to upload topographical maps, marine cartography and even National Geographic TOPO!
However, it is also important to mention that the Triton 2000 is by no means inexpensive. Most retailers will mark this handy tool at around $499.99, making it one of the most expensive portable GPS available. When compared to other GPS suppliers such as Garmin or TomTom, the Magellan Triton 2000 may seem steep for the functions offered.
But it is important to remember, when purchasing a portable GPS to take while camping, hiking or rock-climbing it is vital to purchase a product that is as rough as the terrain! There is little point in buying a less expensive system, just to purchase a second when it breaks or becomes damaged by water!
By: N. L. MacDonald
What You Can Get from GPS Auto Tracking
October 29th, 2009
GPS is very popular in rich countries and that includes the United States. There are mobile systems being offered in the market today such as GPS auto tracking. This is an exact example of portable GPS systems. They are convenient and very much efficient.
There are many good reasons why you should have a GPS auto tracking system. Thieves are everywhere and to make sure that your car is safe, you have to have a GPS. This way, the police can easily track down the exact location of your car once it is stolen.
Aside from providing the exact location of you car, you can also program the system to send cell phone calls, blackberry, etc. You will then be immediately notified if someone is messing or tampering with your car. By using the internet, you can also locate your vehicle.
If you’re teenage daughter or son is driving the car, you can also monitor their driving habits. You can even be provided with photos. Through the GPS, your kid will be notified with speed alerts just in case he or she is driving too fast.
Aside from the things mentioned above, you can also monitor your assets and employees to make sure that they are productive in their work. This will help in increasing your profits in the near future.
So you see, GPS auto tracking is really great. You only have to invest once and there you have it, you will enjoy the numerous benefits of having one. Instead of spending your money in unimportant things, invest on a GPS auto tracking system.
By: Darryl Power
